Study Guide

Objective

After completing the course the student can:
- understand different types of databases and evaluate their feasibility for different purposes.
- plan and implement a database based on requirements and search and modify data in the database
- use at least one well-known database management system
- describe database management tasks

Content

- Different types of databases
- Definition, planning and implementation of databases
- SQL basics
- Database administration with DBMS
- Management principles for databases

Materials

Lecture slides by the teacher
Lot of internet material available
Supporting books about relational databases and SQL are available in Internet.
MongoDB has good tutorials and documentation as well
Supporting book about NoSQL in general:
Connolly, Thomas M.; Begg, Carolyn E. - Database Systems: A Practical Approach to Design, Implementation and Management - 4. edition or later
Vaish, Gaurav: Getting Started with NoSQL. Packt Publishing Ltd 2013. Check Ebrary for online version

Teaching methods

The course consists of exercises (db queries and design tasks). Exercises are divided into weekly topics. These are practiced both individually and with the help of the teacher in the session. Each session begins with an introduction to the topic of the week, which includes practical examples with lecture slides.

Exam schedules

The exam is performed in Ville system www.ville.utu.fi.
1st exam is organized in the class room (during the regular meeting time) where Internet use is allowed for information retrieval.
Re-exams, i.e. 2nd and 3rd exams, are e-exams in the e-exam room premises where Internet use is not allowed.
E-exams are open the rest of the year.

International connections

Learning by doing, trial-error, listening carefully the teacher, and collaborating with other students.

Completion alternatives

Participation in the teaching session is not compulsory, but highly recommended.
Each week we introduce a new topic that builds on top of previous weeks.

Student workload

Participating weekly in teaching sessions: a' 3 hours * 12 = 36h
Individual work for exercises 50h
Practical work 30h
Exam 20h

This course requires about 8 h / week

Content scheduling

In this course, students learn to use and design relational and document databases.
Weekly meetings, probably online and offline depending on the recommendations.
Topics (and hours used in teaching sessions):
- DBMS and DB use 2h
- Basics of SQL 12h
- Database design with ER 4h
- Database design with normalization 2h
- Introduction to document database MongoDB 4h

Further information

We will use a relational DBMS environment for practical training (probably MySQL / MariaDB), which needs installation on the personal computer or school network Z: drive (available in the class room computer).

The environment for using relational DBMS is some LAMP stack with graphical user interface like UwAmp or similar like XAMPP or WAMP.
In addition to relational databases, we will take a look at MongoDB Cloud and Mongo Shell and practice creating and using a document-based database.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Course is evaluated with scale 0-5. Grading is based on collected points during the course. Each correct exercise answer gives one point.

Exercises 80 p points in total
Practical work 50 p
Exam 70 p max points
Total 200 points

Course grading:
0-49% of the maximum points = FAIL
50-59% = grade 1
60-69% = 2
70-79% = 3
80-89% = 4
90-100% = 5

Detailed grading will become available during the course. However, to pass the course you need roughly half of the max points, and passing the exam is compulsory in the course.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

- Is able to implement relational database management software (DBMS) and know the tasks related to database maintenance
- Is able to design a relational database using conceptual model technique (ER or similar notation)
- Can implement a relational database with SQL statements
- Can retrieve, add and edit data in a relational database with simple SQL statements
- Knows different types of databases and their uses

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

In addition
- Can interpret the concept model and implement a relational database based on it
- Understands the meaning and use of keys and reference integrity in relational databases
- Is able to use SQL statements for data retrieval in various ways, such as combining data from different tables
- Understands the principle and purpose of normalization
- Can introduce non-relational databases and evaluate their suitability for different purposes (MongoDB)

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

In addition
- Is able to independently develop a high-quality concept model based on the user requirements
- Can use normalization to improve the quality of a relational database
- Can use SQL statements for information retrieval in various ways, such as sub-groupings and sub-queries
- Can do basic queries and design a simple NoSQL database (MongoDB)

Qualifications

Computer Skills