Week
Topic
Assignment
Written Report Required
Level
1

Database Terminology:
Basic Introduction to terms
Loading a DBMS into the computer
Listing the contents of a Database

Exercise 1

(Amending structure of table & adding data)

 No NOC 2
2

Retrieving Data from a Database

Introduction to Boolean logic
Venn Diagrams
Listing Simple Subsets of Data
Use of complex filter conditions (AND/OR)

Exercise 2

Design queries

No NOC 2
3 Printing formatted data

Designing simple reports
Ordering data in a report
Section headers & footers
Calculated fields & page numbers
Base reports on both tables and on queries

Exercise 3

Reports

 No NOC 2
4 Design forms for add, Delete, View

Base Forms on tables and on queries Queries
Create a menu system using forms

Exercise 4

Queries

 No NOC 2
5

Review and consolidation: (optionally, this week can be used to extend your technical knowledge of macros)

Design, edit & run macros Macros
Use macros to create a complex menu system

End of optional section

Exercise 5.1 (optional)

Exercise 5.2 (optional)

 N/A N/A
6

Design a simple relational database

Add a second table (CARS) to the database
Use INNER, RIGHT and LEFT joins
Design a report based on a relational view

Exercise 6

Studrec & Cars

No NOC 3
7

Normalisation of data

1st, 2nd & 3rd Normalisation rules
extending the design of the existing database
Designing a class register system

Exercise 7

Creating Class Lists

Short Report on the uses of a database in an organisation

 Yes NOC 3
8

Basic Entity Relational Modelling

Extending the database to include class details
ER Model of extended database

Exercise 8 Yes NOC 3
9

Data Warehousing

An exploration of the recent developments in database management systems.
Differentiating between OLTP and OLAP systems.

 Exercise 9 Yes HE 1
10

Consolidation and course evaluation:

 

 N/A N/A N/A
  Optional section:
Structured Query Language

Describe the origins and purpose of SQL
Describe the main DML, DDL and DQL SQL statements
Use SQL statements to select subsets of data
Use the SELECT statement to filter columns
Use the SELECT statement to order output
Use the JOIN statement to create VIEWS

End of Optional section.

 Exercise 10 (Optional) No N/A

 

Your work will be continually assessed. There will be a rolling deadline of one week, i.e. work set in week 7 of the course will be expected to be handed in for marking in week 8 of the course. Work set in week 10 will be expected to be submitted for marking one week after the end of the module.

 

Note: When completing exercises 7, 8 and 9 please remember that the standard of your analysis and written work will determine whether you achieve at OCN2, NOC 3 or HE1.

 

It is your responsibility to keep your work in a neat and easily accessible manner as it may be required for moderation.