[The University of Leicester]

Department of Mathematics & Computer Science



Next: CO1098 Information Management Up: Year 1 Previous: CO1092 Information Processing

CO1093 Information Systems

CO1093 Information Systems

Credits: 20 Convenor: Dr. A. Kurz Semester: 2
Prerequisites: desirable: CO1099 or CO1098 or equivalent
Assessment: Coursework: 50% Two hour exam in June: 50%
Lectures: 36 Problem Classes: none
Tutorials: none Private Study: 78
Labs: 24 Seminars: none
Project: none Other: none
Surgeries: 12 Total: 150

Subject Knowledge

Aims

The module will provide students with the opportunity to learn how to design and implement small databases. It will give experience in the use of a computer as a tool for managing and processing information. Students will become familiar with the database software package Microsoft Access. By the end of the module, students will have gained proficiency in the design and implementation of a small database application.

Learning Outcomes

Students should be able to understand the basic notions involved in data organisation, storage and retrieval. They should have an elementary knowledge of the main features of relational and ER modelling. They should also be able to design, create and query a simple database in Microsoft Access.

Methods

Class and laboratory sessions together with printed slides, recommended textbooks, worksheets, model solutions, and some additional hand-outs and web support.

Assessment

The laboratory work, which is devoted to Microsoft Access, is examined by continual assessment via several weekly exercises and the end of semester project.

The written examination covers the rest of the material.

Subject Skills

Aims

To teach students basic IT, written communication, problem solving and information handling skills.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to design, create and query a simple database using Microsoft access. They will be able to model the data requirements for some small information system and express it in various forms that are easily understood by appropriate audiences.

Methods

Class and laboratory sessions together with printed slides, recommended textbooks, worksheets, model solutions, and some additional hand-outs and web support.

Assessment

Continual assessment and the end of semester project.

Explanation of Pre-requisites

Some familiarity with the basics of information technology as, for example in CO1099 or CO1098, would be helpful.

Course Description

A common use of computers is the storage, retrieval, and organisation of all kinds of information. A program which performs these tasks is known as a database, and this module teaches both the use of databases, and how they can be built.

Syllabus

Databases, an introduction. What are data, the need for databases, data entities and attributes, relationships between entities, values and domains, keys.

Relational databases. Relational modelling, relational algebra, Entity Relationship (ER) modelling, Enhanced ER modelling, functional dependency, normal forms and normalization, database design.

Query-By-Example: Microsoft Access. Creating a database and tables, data updating, querying the database, simple forms and report generation.

Reading list

Essential:

T. Connolly and C. Begg, Database Solutions, Addison-Wesley 2000.

Recommended:

C. Betini, S. Ceri and S. Navathe, Conceptual Database Design, an Entity-Relationship Approach, Benjamin-Cummings 1992.

Resources

Printed slides, web page, study guide, worksheets, handouts, lecture rooms with a data projector, PC with Microsoft Access, past examination papers.

Module Evaluation

Course questionnaires, course review.

Next: CO1098 Information Management Up: Year 1 Previous: CO1092 Information Processing

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Last updated: 2003-09-23
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