SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF ICT AND ELECTRONICS

MODULE COURSE OUTLINE

Module Title: Database Systems

Module Code: CUIT201
Module level: Year 1 Semester 2.
Module credits: 15
Date Module outline last updated: 2023
Prerequisites, (if any): Nil
Module coordinator: Mercy Chinyuku(Ms.)
Office location: E7 – Old Engineering Block
E-mail address: mchinyuku@cut.ac.zw
Cell number: +263716898011
Module contact hours: 60
Face-to-face: 20
Venue: NEC-E3
Time 1030-1230hrs
Practicals 1400-1600hrs
Online: 10
Tutorial hours: 8
Industrial Related /Fieldwork hours: NA
Practical/Laboratory work hours: 22
Self-directed learning hours: 90

Preamble
Decision-making in organisations is data-driven, which makes database systems central to most
organisations’ information systems strategies. Relational Database Management Systems
(RDBMS) is one type of database system that is widely used to primarily support an
organisation’s information systems. The module, therefore, gives an introduction to database
management systems. It provides students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in
database systems. This module focuses on learning the underlying ideas and design of RDBMS.
This module emphasises database theory, application, and emerging trends.

The specific topics include data models, database architecture, database keys, data integrity,
logical database design, Entity-Relationship model, normalisation, and SQL Data Definition
Language. (DDL), SQL Data Manipulation Language, data dictionary, relational algebra, data
security, backup and recovery procedures, and NoSQL databases.

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Laboratory
The practical hours will equip students with the knowledge of designing and developing real
world functional databases. Using MySQL to create database and tables, CRUD operations, use
the LIKE operator and Wild cards, Implement aggregate functions, implement the SELECT and
PROJECT operator using relational algebra, implementing the Join operator.

Module Objectives
The objectives of the module are :-

1. To allow students to appreciate the application of databases

2. To provide students with an understand of the history of database systems
3. To allow students to understand relational models terms such as, data, information,
knowledge, data integrity, and data manipulation.
4. To allow students to design conceptual database models using entity relationship diagrams
(ERD)
5. To allow students to transform a given ERD to a relational data model
6. To allow students to appreciate enforcement of data integrity by utilizing normalisation
theory
7. To present students with an environment to implement a relational data model using SQL
programming
8. To allow students to develop an understanding of relational algebra
9. To give students a strong foundation to understand the concept of transactions and
transaction processing
10. Students to appreciate the emerging trends in the Database world

Expected Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the course students should be able to:
1. Understand the DBMS Environment
2. Classify different types of DBMS
3. Explain the concepts of relational database management system (RDBMS)
4. Understand the importance of database architecture.
5. Explain the fundamental differences between logical and physical database design.
6. Develop an Entity Relationship Model using Crow’s Foot and Chen notations from database
requirements
7. Develop a logical data model
8. Explain anomalies in a relation
9. Use SQL for database creation, manipulation and retrieval.
10. Retrieve data using relational algebra
11. Apply different normal forms to design of databases
12. Apply concurrency control protocols and recovery algorithms

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13. Analyse the use of emerging technologies such as Big Data, NoSQL, OLAP and Data
Warehouses

Delivery Methods:
1. Lecture method
2. Demonstration Method
3. Project method
4. Case study
5. Group discussion
6. Individual presentations
7. Tutorial
8. Brain storming

Detailed Content layout to include

Day Topic Content Methodology Activities Duration

1 Database  Database  Lecture  Student 12hrs
environme terminology method research
2 nt  Types of  Discussion  Group
databases discussion
 DBMS  MySQL
functions Practical
 MySQL
Environment

3 RDBMS  ANSI-SPARC  Lecture  Paired work 12hrs
4 three-level method  MySQL
architecture  Demonstration Practical
 Relational Method
database model
 Relational keys
 Create database
and table using
SQL scripts
5 ERD  ERD  Lecture  Group 24hrs
Modelling Construction method discussions
6  ERD Mapping  Demonstration  exercise
 CRUD Method  Pair work
7  Project  Assignment

3
 method  MySQL
Practical

8 User views  ANSI SPARC  Lecture  MySQL 10hrs

architecture method Practical
 Design userl  Demonstration
views
Method
 Project
method
 Case study

9 Rules of  Armstrong’s  Lecture  Tutorial 20hrs

10 Functional axioms method  Assignment
11 dependenci  Closure of FDs  Group  Pair work
12 es discussion
 Attribute  exercise
closure  Demonstration
Method  MySQL
algorithm Practical
 Individual
 Membership
presentations
algorithm
 Canonical cover
 Aggregate
functions
13 Normalisati  Update  Lecture  Problem 22hrs
on anomalies method solving
14  Normalisation  Demonstration  exercise
(1NF and 2NF) Method  Assignment
15
 Loss-less  Project
16 decomposition
method
algorithms
 Case study
 3NF and
BCNF  Group
Decomposition discussion
algorithms  Individual
presentations
 tutorial

17 Relational  Relational  Lecture  Problem 12hrs

Query Algebra method solving
18 languages  Demonstration  Practical
(PROJECT and
SELECT) Method  Assignment
 Project
 JOIN operator
method

4
 (relational  Case study
algebra and
SQL)

19 Database  Database  Group  Lecture 10 hrs

security security, backup discussion method
and recovery  The Project  Student
research
Method
 In class test
 Seminar
 Practical
 Brainstorming  Group
discussions
20 Concurrenc  Concurrency  Brainstorming  Group 10 hrs
y control control  Individual discussions
protocols presentations  Student
 Recovery research
Algorithms  Lecture
method
 Oral
presentations
 Practical

21 Emerging  Big Data  Group  Group 10 hrs

technologie  NoSQL discussion discussions
s  OLAP  The Project  Oral
 Data Method presentations
Warehouses  Seminar
 Brainstorming

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Assessment
Continuous Assessment will apply, including tests, tutorials, assignments and laboratory
assessments. The final exam will contribute 70% and 30% will be from continuous assessment
and a pass mark of 50% is required. Overall, the assessment includes the following:
1. Regular homework assignments
2. In-class tests
3. Tutorials assessments
4. Oral presentations
5. Mini research projects
6. Laboratory practical assessments
7. End of Semester Examination

Intended Learning Topic(s) Assessment method(s)

outcome
1. Understand the DBMS Database environment assignment
Environment
2. Classify different types  Database Assignment
of DBMS environment
 Emerging
technologies
3. Explain the concepts of  Database Assignment
the relational database environment
management system  RDBMS
(RDBMS)
4. Understand the User views exercise
importance of database
architecture
5. Explain the fundamental ERD Modelling Assignment
differences between Test
logical and physical exercise
database design
6. Develop an Entity ERD Modelling Assignment
Relationship Model Test
using Crow’s Foot and exercise
Chen notations from
database requirements
7. Develop a logical data  ERD Modelling Assignment
model  Normalisation Test
exercise
8. Explain anomalies in a  Normalisation Assignment
relation Test
exercise

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 9. Use SQL for database  Rules of Functional Assignment
creation, manipulation dependencies Test
and retrieval.  ERD Modelling Exercise
10. Retrieve data using query  RDBMS Assignment
languages  ERD Modelling Test
 User views Exercise
 Rules of Functional
dependencies
 Relational Query
languages
11. Apply concurrency  Database security Assignment
control protocols and  Concurrency control Test
recovery algorithms recovery algorithms Exercise
12. Analyse the use of  Emerging Assignment
emerging technologies technologies
such as Big Data,
NoSQL, OLAP and Data
Warehouses

References Texts
Online access to course material on the central server, including online journal with the
assistance of the library, will be provided periodically on relevant textbooks, internet resources
and other reading material

1. Lecture Notes are available from the VLE platform.

2. Abraham Silberschatz, Henry F. Korth, S. Sudarshan, Database System Concepts, Sixth
Edition, Tata McGraw-Hill 2006.
3. C J Date, Akannan, S Swamynathan, An Introduction to Database Systems, Eighth
Edition Pearson 2006
4. Connolly, T. and C. Begg, “Database Systems: A Practical Approach to Design,
Implementation, and Management,” 6th edition, Pearson, 2014
5. Coronel, C. and S. Morris, “Database Systems: Design, Implementation, &
Management,” 12th edition, Cengage, 2016
6.  https://www.pdfdrive.com/fundamentals-of-database-systems-pdf-e51477130.html
7. P Raja Sekhar Reddy, A MallikarjunaReddy, Foundations of Database Management
Systems, Lambert Academic Publishing, 2020 ( e-Book)
8. Raghu Rama Kirshna, Johannes Gchrke, Database Management System, Third Edition,
TATA MC Graw Hill, 2003.

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Academic integrity
1) The Department of ICT and Electronics is concerned with ensuring an environment that is free
of all discrimination. If there is a problem, individuals are reminded that they should contact the
department Chair or the office of the Dean as soon as possible.
2) Students are required to exhibit honesty and use ethical behaviour in all aspects of the learning
process. It must be emphasised that the academic credits which one earns are rooted in the
principles of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is an intentional act to gain an unearned
academic credit or advantage; such behaviour results in serious consequences such as a grade of
zero on an assignment or test. The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:
 Plagiarism. e.g., the submission of work that is not owned or for which
another credit has been
 obtained
 Improper collaboration in group work
 Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations
3) Students are encouraged to attend all lectures although this is not compulsory, 75% attendance
is a must for lectures and 100% attendance for all tutorials.