Large data resources are critical to the functioning of just about every significant modern computer application, and so knowledge of how to manage them is clearly important in the industry. One very important platform for this is relational database management systems (RDBMSs).

This course explores in-depth the practice of developing database applications and the theory behind RDBMSs. The course focuses on database design and querying, as well as analysis of database schemas. It will also give an overview of the technologies used in implementing database management systems and the past, present, and future of database systems and database research.

This course aims to give students a solid grounding in the use of relational database management systems.

In the context of further study, understanding how to use databases effectively provides a foundation for further study in advanced database topics, such as COMP9315 Database Systems Implementation and COMP9318 Data Mining. Database concepts are also relevant in courses such as COMP9319 Web Data Compression and Search and COMP6714 Information Retrieval and Web Search.

https://www.unsw.edu.au/engineering/student-life/student-resources/program-design

Below is the maximum mark you can get for each assessment and how the final mark is calculated.

• Assignment 1 - Data Modeling + Relational Algebra (full mark 24)
• Assignment 2 - DB design Theory + Transaction (full mark 26)
• Project 1 - SQL (Full mark 50)
• Final Exam (Full mark 100)

Late Submission Penalties for Assignments and Project 1:

• 5% reduction of the full mark for each day, up to 5 days

The final mark is calculated using the geometric mean:

• Final Mark = sqrt ( (ass1 + ass2 + proj1) * Final Exam)

Marking will be against specific criteria in a marking guide and formal feedback on your assessment task will be provided 

The table summarises the planned weekly activities for the course. These are tentative. Please refer to the relevant sections of the course homepage for the most up-to-date information about the weekly schedule throughout the course delivery period.

Textbook:

• Fundamentals of Database Systems by Elmasri & Navathe, 7th edition, Addison-Wesley, UNSW Bookshop , eBook (Pearson)

Other References:

• A First Course in Database Systems by Jeffery D. Ullman, Jennifer Widom, a recent edition, Prentice Hall
• Database Management Systems by R. Ramakrishan, 3rd edition, McGraw-Hill, 2003
• The Theory of Relational Databases by D. Maier, 1st edition, Computer Science Press, 1983

Students can give their feedback by sending emials to the course contact, and this course is evaluated using the myExperience system.

In the previous iteration of this course, some students expressed difficulty in following the theoretical aspects. Taking their feedback into account, we will refine the explanation of database theory and enrich the lecture notes with additional examples to enhance comprehension.