MODULE HANDBOOK 2020 – 2021

Module Title: Introduction to Databases

Module Code: CT042-3-1

Year /Level: Degree

Credits: 3

Co – requisite or pre-requisite module(s): None

School: Computing

Semester: Level 1

APU Module Handbook (V1.0) 1 Jan 2020

Contents
Section Page
1. Introduction 3

2. Module Team 3

3. Module Learning Outcomes 3

4. How will I learn on this module? 3

5. Attendance and Absence 6

6. Learning Resources 6

7. Assessments 6

8. Submission and Feedback 7

9 Academic Integrity 7

10. Module Descriptor 8

APU Module Handbook (V1.0) 2 Jan 2020

1.0 Introduction

Welcome to Introduction to Databases

This module introduces the students with fundamental knowledge of database design and management system.
Students shall be able to analyze a case study and model the database using entity relationship diagram. Database
normalization is introduced to control data redundancy. The module also covers practical software skills using
Structured Query Language (SQL) which enables the students to implement and manipulate a database.

2.0 Module Team

Module Leader: Lai Chew Ping ([email protected])
Module Team:
(a) Abdallah Alnatsha
(b) Dhason Padmakumar
(c) Dr.Nurul Husna
(d) Nik Sakinah
(e) Nur Amira
(f) Seetha Letchumy

3.0 Module Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

CLO 1 State the fundamental concept of database, database management system and relational model.
CLO 2 Manipulate the database with ERD, Normalization and SQL.
CLO 3 Apply redundancy control in designing a database.
CLO 4 Demonstrate a database solution using an appropriate tool based on a case study.

4.0 How will I learn on this module?

In this module you will attend lecture and lab classes. Lecture covers the concept of database and database
management system, database design and normalization. Lab classes cover practical exercises which uses a
database management system such as Microsoft SQL server to implement a database. The plan below describes
the work you will need to do to be successful in this module.
Learning Topics and Activities
Week # Weekly learning Outcomes Topic Coverage Hours In class Independent
Learning Learning Activities
Activities
1  Explain the difference  Database and 3.5 Lecture week 1 Tutorial 1
between data and DBMS Discuss Tutorial
information 1
 Describe the difference Lab exercise 1
between database and
DBMS
 State different types of
database

APU Module Handbook (V1.0) 3 Jan 2020

 2  Explain what is file  File system 3.5 Lecture week 2 Tutorial 2
system and its  Data Discuss Tutorial
problems redundancy 2
 Understand data Lab exercise 2
redundancy
 State the types of data
anomaly
 List the components in
database environment
 Describe DBMS
functions

3  Describe types of data  Data Model 3.5 Lecture week 3 Tutorial 3

model Discuss Tutorial Assignment
 Write business rules 3
 Understand entity Lab exercise 3
relationship model

4  Explain the relational  Relational 3.5 Lecture week 4 Tutorial 4

model’s basic Model Discuss Tutorial Assignment
components 4
 Explain how relations Lab exercise 4
are organized in tables
 Explain how data
redundancy is handled
in the relational
database model

5  Explain 3 types of  Entity 3.5 Lecture week 5 Tutorial 5

relationship between Relationship Discuss Tutorial Assignment
entities Diagram 5
 Construct a simple Lab exercise 5
relational model

6  Explain the main  Entity 3.5 Lecture week 6 Tutorial 6

characteristics of entity Relationship Discuss Tutorial Assignment
relationship components Diagram 6
 Explain how Lab exercise 6
relationships between
entities are defined and
refined and how those
relationships are
incorporated into the
database design process
 Describe how ERD
components affect
database design and
implementation

7  Determine the  Entity 3.5 Lecture week 7 Tutorial 7

relationship between Relationship Discuss Tutorial Assignment

APU Module Handbook (V1.0) 4 Jan 2020

 entities Diagram 7
 Construct an entity Lab exercise 7
relational model based
on a case study

8  Describe functional  Database 3.5 Lecture week 8 Tutorial 8

dependency normalization Discuss Tutorial Assignment
 Apply redundancy 8
control Lab exercise 8

9  Perform database  Database 3.5 Lecture week 9 Tutorial 9

normalization normalization Discuss Tutorial Assignment
9
Lab exercise 9
10  Write basic commands  Structure 3.5 Lecture week 10 Tutorial 10
and functions of Query Discuss Tutorial Assignment
SQL(DDL) Language 10
Lab exercise 10
11  Write basic commands  Structure 3.5 Lecture week 11 Tutorial 11
and functions of Query Discuss Tutorial Assignment
SQL(DML) Language 11
Lab exercise 11
12  Describe framework  Systems 3.5 Lecture week 12 Tutorial 12
known as the Systems Development Discuss Tutorial Assignment
Development Life Cycle Life Cycle 12
(SDLC) and Database Life (SDLC) and Lab exercise 12
Cycle (DBLC) Database Life
Cycle (DBLC)
13  State the difference  Database 3.5 Lecture week 13 Tutorial 13
between conceptual, Performance Discuss Tutorial Assignment
logical and physical 13
design Lab exercise 13
 understand the
performance and
security criteria
 Explain the backup and
recovery procedures

14 Revision, Assignment Revision, 3.5 Revision, Revision,

Presentation Assignment Assignment Assignment
Presentation Presentation Presentation

APU Module Handbook (V1.0) 5 Jan 2020

5.0 Attendance and Absence

Attendance for all formal teaching is compulsory. On some occasions, for instance illness, your absence may be
unavoidable. All absences must be notified to the relevant lecturer or Office immediately. Please refer to your
Programme Handbook for contact details. The University needs to satisfy itself that you are engaged in your studies
and will monitor your attendance at regular intervals. This is a particular requirement for international students but
applies equally to all students. Details of when and how this will be undertaken will be given to you at orientation
briefing.

6.0 Learning Resources

Essential Readings:
Coronel, C. and Morris, S. (2018). Database Systems: Design, Implementation, & Management. 13th ed. United
States: Course Technology. ISBN:1285196147

Further Readings:
Kroenke, M., Auer, J., Vandenberg, L. and Yoder, C. (2017). Database Concepts. 8th ed. United States: Pearson.
ISBN: 013460153X

Harrington, J. (2016). Relational Database Design and Implementation. 4th ed. United States: Morgan Kaufmann.
ISBN: 0128043997

Special Requirement: Any DBMS such as Ms.SQL server, any diagramming tool such as Ms.Visio

7.0 Assessments

This module is assessed by:

Assessment Summary
Form of Description Duration Hand out Hand in Marks CLOs
Assessment (hour(s) Date Date Allocation Assessed
Final 50% Final Exam 2 hours 100 marks CLO1 &
Assessment CLO2

Continuous 50% Group Assignment Week 3 Week 13 100 marks CLO3 &
Assessment consists of: CLO4
 Part 1 (20%): Database
Design (submit by
week 8)
 Part 2 (30%): Database
Implementation
(submit by week 13)

To pass a module, you must attempt every element of assessment and achieve at least 50% in the module overall

If you fail to pass the module, you will be required to re-sit any assessment components for which you did not
pass. Details on Regulation and Policies are available at https://lms2.apiit.edu.my/course/view.php?id=750
8.0 Submission and Feedback
APU Module Handbook (V1.0) 6 Jan 2020
How do I submit my assessments?
Each module will have a different set of assessments and submission dates/times as stated in Section 7 above. It is
your responsibility to be aware of the deadlines and to meet them.

You must submit all pieces of assessment required for each module to Admin Services, or online through APU’s
official submission portal for electronic submissions, on or before the submission date for each piece of
assessment. Failure to do so may result in failure of the module overall.

Failure to meet a deadline will be treated as a non-submission and a Grade Point 0 will be awarded for that
component. The only exceptions to these rules apply where a valid claim for extenuating circumstances can be
made and is approved.

There may be occasions when you are unable to submit or undertake a piece of assessment due to circumstances
beyond your control. APU has put in place a procedure for dealing with such extenuating circumstances. You can
find more information in the Student Guide to Extenuating Circumstances which is available in the Regulations &
Policies section on Moodle.

How do I get feedback on my work?

You will normally receive feedback on all assessments, other than examinations, within 20 working days following
the date of submission.
APU aims to release feedback within set weeks so that you can have as much of your feedback at once making the
process less stressful.
Feedback will vary between modules; however, you will receive feedback via the Coursework Submission and
Feedback Form (CSFF) as a minimum. Feedback may also be received by forums, interviews, and individual
feedback sessions.
You will also be able to access your results via Moodle.

How can I give feedback on the module?

You are welcome to discuss your views with your lecturer on the module at any time. Views may also be expressed
through your Programme Leader or via Programme Committee Meetings (PCM). During the course of the module,
you will be encouraged to fill in the anonymous evaluation questionnaires to assist the University in its monitoring
and planning. Such questionnaires are important for the benefit of your fellow and future students. We would be
grateful for your full and prompt co-operation in completing them in a constructive and objective way. You will be
able to access the Online Course Appraisal System at: http://webapps.apiit.edu.my/appraisal/
Students who do not complete their course appraisal by the stipulated date indicated on their examination
schedule (posted on the webspace) could find their results withheld until they complete their course appraisal.

9.0 Academic Integrity

This module requires that you demonstrate what you have learnt and that you have achieved the learning
outcomes of the module. The University requires you to comply with the regulations on academic conduct.
Academic misconduct includes but is not restricted to cheating in examinations, making - up data and plagiarism.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s work (words, images, tables or ideas etc) without acknowledging the
source. This includes materials from the internet as well as library books and the work of another person.
Plagiarism is an assessment offence and any individual (who is suspected of plagiarism) will be referred to the
University Academic Dishonesty Board. Please refer to https://lms2.apiit.edu.my/course/view.php?id=750 for
further information.

APU Module Handbook (V1.0) 7 Jan 2020

10.0 Module Descriptor
The module descriptor for this module is available on Moodle

APU Module Handbook (V1.0) 8 Jan 2020