Module: Databases I

Module Specifications

Academic Year 2026 - 2027

Module Title	Databases I
Module Code	CSC1190
Faculty	Engineering & Computing	School	Computing
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module aims to familiarise the student with the basis aspects of database deployment in the modern business environment. The module gives the student a practical understanding of the pivotal nature of business information in the context of database systems and their integration with important ancillary business applications. It provides students with the practical skills which will allow them to understand basic aspects of database management.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the principles and practices of database management in business organisations.
2. Explain what business information is, and how it is acquired efficiently.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in the interpretation and application of basic database Schema design techniques.
4. Apply formal processes which allow a database designer to construct a well-designed schema. The student will be proficient in fundamentals of database schema design
5. Describe the implementation of SQL Programming Language.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Attendance of Lectures
Laboratory	24	Practical work in lab
Independent learning	77	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	21425	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	40%	Examination Weight	60%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Jane Kernan	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Practical/skills evaluation	Lab Exam for SQL Programming	15%	Once per semester
Assignment	Entity Relationship Diagram Assignment	15%	Once per semester
Formal Examination	n/a	70%	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	,1,
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

Database Environment
Basic concepts and definitions, the database approach, the range of database applications

Modelling Data
Modelling rules, E-R model, modelling entities and attributes, modelling relationships

Modelling Data
Mapping from ER Schema to Database Schema

Learning SQL
Introduction to SQL, defining a database in SQL, inserting, updating and deleting data, processing single tables.

SQL Querying
Querying databases - using MySQL Workbench or similar DBMS

Advanced SQL
Processing multiple tables

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Jeffrey A. Hoffer: 0, Modern Database Management, 14, Pearson International Edition, -139780135346853

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None