Module: Database Theory & Practice

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Database Theory & Practice
Module Code	ICT1001 (ITS: CA)
Faculty	Engineering & Computing	School	Electronic Engineering
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	20

Description

A module which provides students with an understanding of the theory and practice of the construction and use of databases.

Learning Outcomes

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2. Describe systems and databases that exist within a variety of organisations.
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7. Demonstrate the stages of the database life cycle.
10. 2
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12. Translate data requirements into a database design using a data modelling technique. (Assignment 1)
15. 3
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17. Strengthen the structure of a database through normalisation and testing. (Assignment 3)
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22. Construct a physical database using a database package. (Assignment 2)
25. 5
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27. Use the data from a physical database to produce reports relevant to varying contexts using the structured query language (SQL). (Assignment 2 & 3)
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32. Summarise the various storage structures available to a database along with their associated characteristics.
35. 7
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37. Describe the methods for managing a database, including concurrency control and recovery. (Assignment 3)
40. 8
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42. Analyse the challenges that Big Data poses to the tradition RDBMS.
45. 9
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47. Construct a NoSQL document database and perform CRUD (Create, Retrieve, Update and Delete) operations on it
50. 10

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Tutorial	21	Face-to-face tutorials are held in DCU on Saturdays and Virtual Classroom tutorials on weekday evenings according to the timetable
Online activity	16	Interaction with tutor and fellow students
Independent Study	463	Reading, study, research and problem solving
Total Workload: 500

Section Breakdown
CRN	11664	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	50%	Examination Weight	50%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Richard Bolger	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Written assignment	10%	n/a
Assignment	Written assignment	20%	n/a
Assignment	Written assignment	20%	n/a
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	50%	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

DATABASES (CA)
Database concepts and DBMS architecture / Storing information and the database function / Entity-relationship modelling / Database components and relational mapping / SQL - the Structured Query Language / Normalisation / The database design process / Logical & physical / Managing a RDMBS / Distributed DBMS / Data Warehousing / Object DBMS / Big Data/NoSQL / MongoDB

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None