Databases

Code:

L.EIC012

Acronym:

BD

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Informatics Engineering and Computing

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://moodle2425.up.pt/course/view.php?id=4162
Responsible unit:	Department of Informatics Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Informatics and Computing Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L.EIC	371	Syllabus	2	-	6	52	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Background

Information Systems (IS) is a key topic in informatics engineering. Databases are data repositories required in any IS. The database course is a key course in the area of IS. The main objective of this course unit is to prepare students to design and develop database systems that meet the users' needs according to the organizational management goals.

Specific Aims

This is an introductory course on databases. It is focused on the relational paradigm. It covers the design (UML model and relational normalization), construction (SQL data definition language), querying (SQL data manipulation language) and management (physical organization and query optimization) of relational databases.

Percent Distribution

Scientific component: 50%
Technological component: 50% 

Learning outcomes and competences

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Explain the main features of a database management system;


• Define a high-level database model for a particular context;


• Map a high-level database model to a relation schema;


• Identify the functional dependencies of a relation;


• Differentiate normal forms in relation schemas;


• Decompose relation schemas to the Boyce-Codd normal form and the third normal form;


• Create a relational database in SQL from a relational schema;


• Use relational algebra to query databases;


• Query relational databases in SQL;


• Understand the need for indexes and identify the best index for a given situation;


• Use transactions and competition that guarantee the integrity of data in a database;


• Identify the differences between relational, multi-dimensional, and NoSQL databases and which is most appropriate for a given situation.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Basic knowledge of set theory.

Program

UML class diagram. Relational schema, normalization and mapping from a high-level database model. SQL Data Definition Language and integrity constraints. Relational algebra as a query language. SQL Data Manipulation Language. Views. Indexes. Transactions. Introduction to data warehouses and NoSQL systems.

Mandatory literature

Ullman Jeffrey D.; A First course in database systems. ISBN: 978-0-13-600-637-4

Complementary Bibliography

Raghu Ramakrishnan, Johannes Gehrke; Database management systems. ISBN: 0-07-116898-2

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures introduce the subject topics and include application examples. Practical sessions are held in a computer lab, where students work with the SQLite database management system. During these lab sessions, students will complete hands-on exercises and undertake small development projects.

Software

SQLite

keywords

Physical sciences > Computer science > Database management

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	75,00
Trabalho laboratorial	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	70,00
Frequência das aulas	52,00
Trabalho laboratorial	40,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

To be eligible for the final exam, students must not exceed 25% of absences from the theoretical-practical classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

PROJ - Project/Group work
FE - Final Exam

Final Grade = round (0.25 PROJ + 0.75 FE)

Minimum grade of 40% (8 out of 20) in every assessment component: Project and Exam.

The project is a group work that will be assessed in two moments: the first submission is worth 40% and the second is worth 60% of the project evaluation.

Students who met the attendance criteria in the immediately preceding edition of the course may opt to retain their project scores. To do so, they must notify the course responsible by the end of the second week of classes and refrain from enrolling in theoretical-practical sessions.

The project is not subject to appeal assessment.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

The project is mandatory for students with worker statute or equivalent.

Classification improvement

Improving the classification of all assessment components through course attendance is allowed.

It is possible to improve the final classification through a second exam to be carried out during the period scheduled for this purpose.

The classification of the project cannot be improved in the same academic year.

Observations

The official language is Portuguese. However, we admit teaching in English if the course has international students. The slides will be in English.