Study Guide

Objective

After completing the course, the student understands the basics of database systems, and especially the operating principles of relational databases. The student learns how to design and model a database with ER technique, transform it to relational schema and further implement it as a relational database. After the course, the student knows how to use at least one well-known database management system (SQLite, MySQL or similar), can plan and create relational databases as well as apply SQL for most common query and update operations to the database.

Content

In the database design part of the course, students familiarize themselves with database thinking and the principles of data management from a quality perspective. Key topics include data modeling using ER diagrams, relational schema representations and normalization technique for validating the quality of the design. In the database use part of the course, students apply structured query language (SQL) to create a database (SQL DDL), and to manipulate and search data in the database (SQL DML). The course consists of self-study materials and practical exercises with a final test.

Materials

Written material and videos published in the ViLLE platform.

Teaching methods

The course is a remote, self-study course available online in ViLLE learning platform https://ville.utu.fi

Students collect points in the learning platform by reading written material, watching videos and answering exercises and tests.

A practical work and final exams are compulsory and have minimum points to pass.

Exam schedules

The final exam is available in ViLLE system.

International connections

Not applicable

Completion alternatives

Not applicable

Student workload

Estimated student workload:
20 h Reading materials
30 h Exercises
40 h Practical work
20 h Tests and exams

Content scheduling

SCHEDULE:
The course is a self-study course available online in ViLLE learning platform https://ville.utu.fi
The course begins in the Autumn 2024. Students can schedule their own studying pace and progress within the date limits of the course. A welcome message is sent to your email after enrollment. In the email you get a registration key to the ViLLE-platform and a link to the discussion area in Discord. Note, that the registration to the ViLLE platform ends on a certain date, after which one cannot start the course, and the course ends on a certain date, by which all the performance required in the course must be completed in ViLLE. Exact dates will be announced in the ViLLE platform and/or welcome message.

CONTENTS:
In the database design part of the course, students familiarize themselves with database thinking and the principles of data management from a quality perspective. Key topics include data modeling using ER diagrams, relational schema representations and normalization technique for validating the quality of the design. In the database use part of the course, students apply structured query language (SQL) to create a database (SQL DDL), and to manipulate and search data in the database (SQL DML). The course consists of self-study materials, and exercises, mid-term tests, and a final test in Ville. In addition, a student plans, implements and documents own relational database as a practical work.

Further information

The course is suitable for beginners and no previous studies are necessary.

You can ask for assistance and discuss the course materials and exercises in Discord server. The link is provided by email before the starting day of the course.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Max. Points (subject to change before the course starts):
Exercises 550 p
Tests 140 p
Practical work 200 p
Exam 120 p
Total: 1010 points

Mid-term tests, practical work and the final exam are compulsory.
The final exam is divided into two parts (design and use; 60 + 60 points). The student needs to get at least 15 points out of 60 from both parts of the exam. To pass the practical work student needs 80/200 points in minimum.

Grading (subject to change before the course starts):
Less than 660 points = Fail
660-729 points = 1 grade
730-799 points = 2 grade
800-869 points = 3 grade
870-939 points = 4 grade
940-1010 points = 5 grade

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Student gets less than 660 points (subject to change before the course starts)

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

A student gets 940 points or more (subject to change before the course starts).
At this level, a student
- Can develop a high-quality concept model / plan of a database based on the user requirements.
- Can use normalization to improve the quality of a relational database.
- Can implement the database with DBMS and SQL according to a plan, and change the plan if necessary.
- Can use SQL statements for information retrieval in various ways, such as sub-groupings and sub-queries.

Qualifications

The course is suitable for beginners and no previous studies are necessary.