Module: Introduction to Databases

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Introduction to Databases
Module Code	CSC1022 (ITS: CA218)
Faculty	Computing	School	Engineering & Computing
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

To provide students with an introduction to and an overview of database systems including database design, Entity Relationship data modelling, the relational model of data and SQL, as well as an overview of some database products.

Learning Outcomes

1. Recognise the various roles of users of databases in the context of the three level architecture model,
2. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of various file access structures,
3. Translate informal problem specifications into a well-formed ER Schema, and to map these to appropriate relational schema,
4. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of common data models and schemas for abstracting the details of data from users of the database,
5. Demonstrate a proficiency in writing Structured Query Language code to query and alter simple databases.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Laboratory	12	No Description
Tutorial	12	No Description
Directed learning	2	End of Year
Directed learning	1	Lab Exam
Independent Study	26	No Description
Online activity	24	No Description
Independent Study	24	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20144	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Yalemisew Abgaz	Module Teacher	Mark Roantree

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
In Class Test	Lab Exam. 1-hour SQL exam taken in the lab.	20%	Week 8
Formal Examination	2-hour exam covering all aspects of the course	80%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Chapter 1. Information Systems

Chapter 2. Database Overview

Chapter 3. Storage Structures

Chapter 4. Entity-Relationship Data Modelling

Chapter 5. Relational Model of Data

Chapter 6. SQL

Chapter 7. Overview of Database Products

Chapter 8. The System Catalog

Chapter 9. Views

Chapter 10. Database Design & Normalisation

Chapter 11. Web Databases and JDBC

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Thomas Connolly & Carolyn Begg: 0, Database Systems: A Practical Approach to Design, Implementation, and Management, 6, Pearson,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None