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CIT843

Introduction To Database Management Systems

  • Sciences
  • 800 level
  • 2 credit units
  • 245 pages
  • 15 units

This course introduces the fundamental concepts of Database Management Systems (DBMS). It covers database design, normalization techniques, Structured Query Language (SQL), and transaction management. Students will learn about data modeling, entity-relationship diagrams, relational algebra, and database architectures. The course also explores practical aspects of database application development using Microsoft Access, including tables, queries, forms, and reports. Emphasis is placed on data integrity, security, and recovery techniques.

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About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
96 hours
Maths
Basic
Content
Theoretical, practical
Practical work
Yes
Before you start
  • Basic computer literacy
  • Familiarity with operating systems
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

What you'll read

The real module and unit structure of CIT843, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

CIT843 · Unit 1

Your course materials have important dates for the early and timely completion and submission of your TMA and attending tutorials. You should remember that you are required to submit all your assignments by the stipulated time and date. You should guide against falling behind in your work.

Start readingGet the original PDF, if you want it

What you should be able to do

  1. Understand database design principles and normalization techniques.
  2. Use Structured Query Language (SQL) to create, manipulate, and query databases.
  3. Implement transaction management and concurrency control mechanisms.
  4. Apply database security measures to protect data integrity and confidentiality.
  5. Develop database applications using Microsoft Access.
  6. Analyze and solve real-world database problems.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Database Administrator
  • Data Analyst
  • SQL Developer
  • Database Designer
  • Information Systems Manager
Where it is applied
  • Finance
  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • E-commerce
  • Government
Tools
  • Microsoft Access
  • SQL Server
  • MySQL

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1: Database Management systems Concepts

    Unit 6: Relational Algebra

    Relational algebra operations require strong understanding of set theory and logical reasoning.

  • Module 2: Structured Query Languages and Transaction Management

    Unit 1: Structured Query Language (SQL)

    Understanding the nuances of SQL syntax and applying it to complex database scenarios requires extensive practice.

  • Module 2: Structured Query Languages and Transaction Management

    Unit 3: Transactions and Concurrency Management

    Concurrency control and locking mechanisms involve complex algorithms and trade-offs that are difficult to grasp conceptually.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Database Management systems Concepts

    • Unit 1: Basic Concepts in DBMS · 2 hours

      Read the introduction to DBMS, databases, and their advantages.. Understand the different categories of models: User, Logical, and Physical.. Review the block diagram of a database system..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Database Management systems Concepts

    • Unit 2: Data Modeling Overview · 2 hours

      Study data modeling and its importance in database design.. Understand the components of a data model and their roles.. Review the characteristics of a good data model..

  3. Week 3Module 1: Database Management systems Concepts

    • Unit 3: Entity-Relationship Model · 2 hours

      Learn about Entity-Relationship (ER) modeling and its basic constructs.. Identify entities, attributes, and relationships in a given scenario.. Practice drawing ER diagrams..

  4. Week 4Module 1: Database Management systems Concepts

    • Unit 4: Relational Database Integrity: Conversion from E-R Model to Relational Model · 2 hours

      Study relational database integrity rules.. Understand how to convert an E-R model to a relational model.. Learn about null values and keys in relational databases..

  5. Week 5Module 1: Database Management systems Concepts

    • Unit 5: Data Redundancy and Normalization · 2 hours

      Understand data redundancy and its associated problems.. Learn about normalization and its goals.. Study the first normal form (1NF) and its requirements..

  6. Week 6Module 1: Database Management systems Concepts

    • Unit 5: Data Redundancy and Normalization · 2 hours

      Continue studying normalization and its goals.. Study the second normal form (2NF) and its requirements.. Study the third normal form (3NF) and its requirements..

  7. Week 7Module 1: Database Management systems Concepts

    • Unit 6: Relational Algebra · 2 hours

      Learn about relational algebra and its operations.. Understand set theoretic operations: Union, Intersection, and Difference.. Practice applying these operations to relational tables..

  8. Week 8Module 1: Database Management systems Concepts

    • Unit 6: Relational Algebra · 2 hours

      Continue studying relational algebra operations.. Understand specific relational operations: Selection, Projection, and Join.. Practice applying these operations to relational tables..

  9. Week 9Module 2: Structured Query Languages and Transaction Management

    • Unit 1: Structured Query Language (SQL) · 2 hours

      Study SQL data types and database tables.. Learn about Data Definition Language (DDL) commands: CREATE, ALTER, DROP.. Practice creating and modifying tables using SQL..

  10. Week 10Module 2: Structured Query Languages and Transaction Management

    • Unit 1: Structured Query Language (SQL) · 2 hours

      Learn about Data Manipulation Language (DML) commands: SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE.. Practice using these commands to manipulate data in tables.. Study the WHERE clause and operators..

  11. Week 11Module 2: Structured Query Languages and Transaction Management

    • Unit 2: SQL Functions · 2 hours

      Study SQL aggregate functions: AVG, COUNT, MAX, MIN, SUM.. Learn about SQL scalar functions: UCASE, LCASE, MID, LEN, ROUND, NOW, FORMAT.. Practice using these functions in SQL queries..

  12. Week 12Module 2: Structured Query Languages and Transaction Management

    • Unit 3: Transactions and Concurrency Management · 2 hours

      Understand multi-user databases and the concept of transactions.. Learn about transaction management with SQL: COMMIT, ROLLBACK.. Study concurrency control and locking mechanisms..

  13. Week 13Module 2: Structured Query Languages and Transaction Management

    • Unit 4: Security · 2 hours

      Study database recovery and management techniques.. Learn about database backup and recovery procedures.. Understand database security concepts and authorization..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create ER diagrams for sample scenarios and practice converting them to relational schemas (Units 2-4).
  • Practice writing SQL queries for various data retrieval and manipulation tasks (Unit 1, Module 2).
  • Focus on understanding the ACID properties of transactions and concurrency control mechanisms (Unit 3, Module 2).
  • Review different types of database architectures and their advantages/disadvantages (Unit 5, Module 2).
  • Familiarize yourself with Microsoft Access interface and tools for creating tables, queries, forms, and reports (Module 3).
  • Study the different types of SQL functions and their applications (Unit 2, Module 2).

Questions students ask about this course

What is CIT843 about?

This course introduces the fundamental concepts of Database Management Systems (DBMS). It covers database design, normalization techniques, Structured Query Language (SQL), and transaction management. Students will learn about data modeling, entity-relationship diagrams, relational algebra, and database architectures. The course also explores practical aspects of database application development using Microsoft Access, including tables, queries, forms, and reports. Emphasis is placed on data integrity, security, and recovery techniques.

How many units does CIT843 have?

CIT843, Introduction To Database Management Systems, has 15 units across 3 modules, over 245 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is CIT843?

CIT843 carries 2 credit units, at 800 level in Sciences.

Is CIT843 hard?

CIT843 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and practical work, and it has a practical component.

How long does CIT843 take to study?

About 96 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.

How is CIT843 assessed?

CIT843 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What do I need before starting CIT843?

Basic computer literacy Familiarity with operating systems

What can I do with CIT843?

Database Administrator, Data Analyst, SQL Developer, Database Designer and Information Systems Manager.

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