Aims, Structure and Assumptions
The Guide Aims
This guide is designed primarily to give the tutor:
-
An effective and approved format and structure for the delivery of this
module
-
A structured and comprehensive set of notes and aids which complement the
core text used for study, set out in a clear, session by session coverage
which will enable the tutor to prepare sessions economically and effectively.
The Guide Structure
Used along with The Student Guide, it will help to ensure a well
organised, comprehensive and coherent approach, which gives maximum help
to the student and makes the best use of tutor time and resources. It gives
a teaching and activity structure for each individual session (including
pre-session and follow-up work) and includes additional suggestions about
how the sessions might be delivered. These are not prescriptive and
you could equally use the notes and aids (with your personal experience
and knowledge) to organise delivery of the session content differently.
The first parts of this guide set out general information and advice
for the tutor before it is used. The main section of the guide consists
of individual session plans and materials organised in the order of use
that we advise.
Each session plan sets out:
-
The session duration, topic to be covered and learning outcomes
-
Any pre-session activity required
-
Follow-up work
-
Session activity.
Assumptions
The guide assumes that the tutor:
-
Is a specialist in the module subject area and has teaching experience
-
Has access to facilities for copying The Student Guide and all other
necessary session and assignment materials for students
The Module Materials
The primary materials to be used by the tutor with the guide consist
of:
-
The core text around which the sessions are structured and the reading
materials.
-
Details of additional publications are given in the Course Information.
-
A copy of The Student Guide that is part of this module.
The Student Guide tells students in detail what the programme
is, what is expected of them and how best to prepare for and make use of
the different sessions. If you plan to vary the pattern that runs consistently
throughout the module materials, it is important that you remember to tell
students. The Student Guide is based on the same pattern as that
set out here so they need to be clear about any changes and amendments
to the published pattern.
Using the Module Materials
The tutor’s first need will be to become fully familiar with the
module aims, materials and resources. To do this you should:
-
Read Course Inforrmation to become familiar with the aims, learning
outcomes and content breakdown of the module
-
Read The Student Guide with the module and absorb the Assignments
and assessment process in general
-
Look at one or two sessions in this guide to see how the session materials
and aids are presented and used.
The Seminars
The seminar is designed around presentations of selected topics by the
tutor and two nominated students, who prepare by directed reading. The
other groups members are expected to contribute to seminar discussion of
the selected topics and to undertake supplementary reading prior to the
session so that they can make a valid contribution. The seminar is intended
to allow students to explore their learning and understanding more fully
in discussion with others and to delve more deeply and critically into
the subject matter of the course.
The Student Guide gives you details of how students are assessed
on their presentation at a seminar session.
The Roles of the Tutor and the Student
Students need to accept that they are responsible for their own learning
and that the role of the tutor is to facilitate this process, not to provide
information for passive recipients. The Student Guide points out
to them that genuine learning will only take place if they involve themselves
actively and critically with the ideas and concepts in the module, and
with their application in practical situations.
In general, students respond positively to such an approach. However,
if poor preparation and pre-reading for a seminar shows through in the
session, reinforce the importance of private study and active participation
in sessions within the learning ethos of the module. Be positive and constructive
about the need for commitment to it.
Emphasise that students are expected to make full use of the institution’s
learning support facilities — particularly the library and the computing
facilities. Your role as tutor is to direct and support the students in
their studies and although you will recommend reading that helps them with
their preparation of discussion topics they may need to be encouraged to
seek out their own references.
Flexibility
The detailed framework and plans that follow are designed to help you
plan, prepare and deliver the module, session by session. They are not
a straitjacket and we would stress the freedom that you have as the tutor,
to adapt the module and its resources to suit the particular needs and
circumstances of your students and to take advantage of individual experiences.
Session Plans
Session 1
Topic: Database Concepts
and Architecture
Theoretical outcomes
Before the session ,
the students undertake:
- To consider the number of times that they have
encountered databases in the last month and
provide examples of the context in which these
databases have been operating.
After the session, the
student will be able to:
- Describe the concepts and architecture of
database systems
- Discuss database terminology
- Identify characteristics of the database approach
versus the traditional file processing approach
- Identify the role of databases in the work
environment
- Understand data models
- Recognise schema and instances
- Identify the three level schema
- Distinguish between the main characteristics of
Data Base Management System (DBMS) languages
- Understand DBMS models and classification
Follow-up work
- Read Chapters 1 and 2 of the core text.
- Review and make notes on the lecture .
Practical Outcomes
Before the session,
students undertake:
- To read Chapters 1 and 2 of the core text.
- To review and make notes on the lecture .
After the session, the
student will be able to:
- Apply the concepts and architecture of database
system
- Use database terminology
- Employ data models
- Generate schema
Follow-up
work
- Students complete any of the problems outstanding
as post-session work.
- Review and make notes on the seminar.
- Read Chapters 14 and 3 of the core text.
Session 2
Topic: Database system
development. Data Modelling using the Entity Relationship (ER)
Model
Theoretical Outcomes
Before the session, students
undertake to:
- Complete any of the problems outstanding as post-session
work.
- To review and make notes on OHT session 1.
- To read Chapters 14 and 3 of the core text
- Difficulties with pre-session problems are explored
independently by students and with the tutor.
- For the final 10 minutes or so, students will consider
independently the questions for review and discussion
from Chapters 14 and 3 of the core text.
After the session, the student
will be able to:
- Identify the life cycle model for database system
development
- Define data model, entity, attributes, domain, attribute
types, entity types, instances
- Key attributes
- Recognise the three main types of relationship
- Understand an ER model
Follow-up work
- Students complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- Attempt problems 3.19 and 3.23 from the core book.
- Review and make notes on OHT the lecture .
Practical outcomes
Before the session, students
undertake:
- Students complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- To solve problems 3.19 and 3.23 from the core book.
- To review and make notes on OHT the lecture .
After the session, the student
will be able to:
- Generate stages in the life cycle model for database
system development
- Apply definitions of data model, entity, attributes,
domain, attribute types, entity types, instances, key
attributes
- Generate ER diagrams
Follow-up work
- Complete questions for review and discussion given above.
Difficulties to be raised with tutor at the beginning of
the next session
- Pre-reading from sections 6.8, 10.1, 11.1 from the core
text
- Review and make notes on the seminar.
Session 3
Topics: Database Models.
Mapping ER Model to Relational Schema
Theoretical Outcomes
Before the session, students
undertake:
- To complete questions for review and discussion given
above. Difficulties to be raised with tutor at the
beginning of the next session
- Pre-reading from sections 6.8, 10.1, 11.1 from the core
text
- To review and make notes on session 2.
After the session, the student
will be able to:
- Understand how to map each logical concept from the ER
model in the relational data model
- Interpret hierarchical and network models
Follow-up work
- Students complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- Answer problems 6.25 and 6.27 from the core text
- Review and make notes on the lecture.
Practical Outcomes
Before the session, students
undertake:
- Completion of any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- To answer problems 6.25 and 6.27 from the core text
- To review and make notes on the lecture.
After the session, the student
will be able to:
- Describe how each logical concept from the ER model can
be represented in the relational data model
- Generate a relational schema.
Follow-up work
- Students complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- Pre-reading Chapters 12 and 13 from the core text
- Review and make notes on the seminar.
Session 4
Topic: Relational
Database Design
Theoretical Outcomes
Before the session, students
undertake:
- Completion of any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- Pre-reading Chapters 12 and 13 from the core text
- To review and make notes on session 3.
After the session, the student
will be able to:
- Understand the concept of functional dependencies.
- Recognise the process of normalisation
- Understand the databases physical design process
Follow-up work
- Students complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- Answer problem12.16 from the core book
- Review and make notes on the lecture.
Practical Outcomes
Before the session, students
undertake:
- Students complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- To answer problem12.16 from the core book
- To review and make notes on the lecture.
After the session, the student
will be able to:
- Apply normalisation
- Understand and apply the concepts of physical design
- Understand assignment surgery
Follow-up work
- Students complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- Pre-reading from sections 6.5 - 6.7 from the core text
- Review and make notes on the seminar.
Session 5
Topic: Relational
Algebra
Theoretical Outcomes
Before the session, students
undertake:
- To complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- Pre-reading from sections 6.5 - 6.7 from the core text
- To review and make notes on session 4.
After the session, the student
will be able to:
- Understand the concept of relational algebra
- Understand the mechanisms for each relational algebra
operation.
Follow-up work
- Students complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- Answer problem 6.26 from the core text
- Review and make notes on the lecture.
Practical Outcomes
Before the session, students
undertake:
- To complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- To answer problem 6.26 from the core text
- To review and make notes on the lecture.
After the session, the student
will be able to:
- Develop an understanding of the application of relational
algebra to database problems
Follow-up work
- Students complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- Pre-reading Chapter 7 from the core text
- Review and make notes on the seminar.
Session 6
Topic: SQL
Theoretical Outcomes
Before the session, students
undertake:
- To complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- Pre-reading Chapter 7 from the core text
- To review and make notes on session 5.
After the session, the student
will be able to:
- Understand the basic concepts underpinning the SQL
language
- Understand the importance of using SQL to generate
queries
- Recognise the strengths and weaknesses of SQL
Follow-up work
- Students complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- Answer problem 7.24 from the core text
- Review and make notes on the lecture.
Practical Outcomes
Before the session, students
undertake:
- To complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- To answer problem 7.24 from the core text
- To review and make notes on the lecture.
After the session, the student
will be able to:
- Apply SQL language
- Employ query technique.
Follow-up work
- Students complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- Pre-reading Chapter 16 from the core text
- Review and make notes on the seminar.
Session 7
Topic: Query
Optimisation
Theoretical Outcomes
Before the session, students
undertake:
- To complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- Pre-reading Chapter 16 from the core text.
- To review and make notes on session 6.
After the session, the student
will be able to:
- Understand the concept of query optimisation
- Manipulate heuristic rules for ordering the operations in
the query
Follow-up work
- Students complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- Answer the problems 16.11 and 16.12 from the core text
- Review and make notes on the lecture.
Practical Outcomes
Before the session, students
undertake:
- To complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- To answer the problems 16.11 and 16.12 from the core text
- To review and make notes on the lecture.
After the session, the student
will be able to:
- Implement query optimisation
- Apply heuristic rules for ordering the operations in the
query
Follow-up work
- Students complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- Pre-reading sections 22.1-22.2 and chapter 25 from the
core text
- Review and make notes on the seminar.
Session 8
Topics: Current Trends in
Database Systems
Theoretical Outcomes
Before the session, students
undertake:
- To complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- Pre-reading sections 22.1-22.2, 25 from the core text
- To review and make notes on OHT session 7.
After the session, the student
will be able to:
- Recognise progression of database technology
- Understand the concept of object-oriented modelling
- Appreciate the range of emerging database applications
including; knowledge bases, expert systems, multimedia
databases
Follow-up work
- Students complete any of the problems outstanding as
post-session work.
- Review and make notes on the lecture.
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