Module: Databases II

Module Specifications

Academic Year 2026 - 2027

Module Title	Databases II
Module Code	CSC1191
Faculty	Engineering & Computing	School	Computing
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module aims to familiarise the student with all aspects of database deployment in the modern business environment. It aims to ensure that the student has a sound grasp of key database technologies and software architectures and their environments and how these support on business processes and systems. The module gives the student a practical understanding of database deployment. It equips students with practical skills to understand all aspects of database management, including how to provide timely information to key business processes.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the software architecture of a major database management system which is deployed widely in industry.
2. Apply the development lifecycle of software applications which use database technology. The student will be familiar with the design and implementation and rollout stages of such applications.
3. Design and build basic database applications using a variety of interfaces to the database (e.g. SQL, PHP)
4. Interact with a large database management system and ancillary application systems

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Weekly Lectures
Laboratory	12	Lan practicals
Independent learning	89	Independent reading and self-directed study
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	12191	Part of Term	Semester 1
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
Project	Plan, design and develop a database system.	25%	Once per semester
Formal Examination	Final Exam	75%	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 development process
Database development process; developing a database application

2. Enhanced E-R Model and Business Rules
Representing super-types and sub-types; entity clustering.

Logical database design and the relational model
Relational data model, integrity constraints, transforming EER diagrams into relations, normalisation

Physical database design and performance
Physical database design process, designing fields, using and selecting indexes, looking at Database Storage (RAID, storage engines)

Client/server database environment
Looking at client\server architectures

Data Warehousing
Basic concepts of data warehousing, data warehouse architectures, some characteristics of data warehouse data

Data Quality and Integration
Managing Data quality, data integration, data transformation.

Data and Database Administration
Roles of data and database administrators, managing data security, database backup and recovery

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Jeffrey A. Hoffer,Fred R. McFadden,Mary B. Prescott: 0, Modern Database Management, 0130423556

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None