NWI-IPC033
Information Modelling and Databases
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleNWI-IPC033
Credits (ECTS)6
CategoryBA (Bachelor)
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Faculty of Science; Informatica en Informatiekunde;
Lecturer(s)
Coordinator
dr. P. van Bommel
Other course modules lecturer
Examiner
dr. P. van Bommel
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
dr. P. van Bommel
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course
dr. P. van Bommel
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
prof. dr. ir. D. Hiemstra
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2023
Period
KW1-KW2  (04/09/2023 to 28/01/2024)
Starting block
KW1
Course mode
full-time
Remarks-
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesYes
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedure-
Aims
About information modelling:
  • Use set theory to define the foundation of information models.
  • Create information structures as part of an information model.
  • Add integrity constraints to the information structure in order to obtain a complete information model.
  • Use grammars to express information models and their instantiations.
  • For a given information model, define path expressions and evaluate them.
  • Add complex types to information models to have more abstraction.
  • Basic transformation and equivalence of information models.
About databases:
  • The underlying theory of databases in terms of set theory and relational algebra.
  • Manipulation of databases in terms of queries with joins, subqueries, and grouping instruments.
  • Definition of databases in terms of table creation and corresponding creation of views and indexes.
  • Integrity rules for databases and their contents.
  • Basic transactions and isolation levels.
  • Control of databases based on granting and revoking privileges.

 

Content
In part A of this course, we consider a number of aspects which are relevant for the entire systems life cycle. To be able to accurately model the system, it is essential to understand the domain under consideration, to specify the boundaries of the domain, to identify the relevant concepts in the domain and their relationships, and to specify the rules or constraints of the behaviour of those concepts. The results of this analysis are registered in a conceptual model, which allows for the communication with the domain expert.

After modelling the system in part A, we focus in part B on the implementation of the system in one ore more databases. This implementation is a continuation of the phase of information modelling. The final implementation of the database is not a conceptual model itself, because it describes all kinds of implementation-oriented aspects of the system. Here we focus in particular on the necessary database operations. We use the Structured Query Language (SQL) to specify those operations. However, we begin part B with the underlying foundations in terms of relational algebra.
Level
Bachelor level.
Presumed foreknowledge

Test information

During part A of the course, the students must do a project in which they apply the theory. The project must result in a Project Report. Every week, a new step in the project must be made and the Project Report must be extended according to the instructions given in that week. It is mandatory to extend the Project Report every week. After 7 weeks, part A of the course is finished and the students must upload the final version their Project Report via an assignment in Brightspace. This is the examination of part A. This midterm examination will be graded with Pass or Fail.

Also in part B there are weekly assignments, and these assignments are also mandatory. At the end of part B, there will be an examination in the form of a regular exam (probably a digital exam) which is graded with a grade between 0 and 10.

Specifics
 
Required materials
Course material
Course materials will be provided via Brightspace.

Instructional modes
Course
Attendance MandatoryYes

Tests
Partial exam, part A
Test weight1
Test typePaper
OpportunitiesBlock KW1, Block KW2

Partial exam, part B
Test weight1
Test typeDigital exam with CIRRUS
OpportunitiesBlock KW2, Block KW3

Remark
.