Database Technology, 6 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master's Programme in Statistics and Machine Learning

Entry requirements

• 180 ECTS credits passed including 90 ECTS credits in one of the following subjects:
  • statistics
  • mathematics
  • applied mathematics
  • computer science
  • engineering
• Completed courses in
  • calculus
  • linear algebra
  • statistics
  • programming
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
  Exemption from Swedish
• At least 24 ECTS credits passed in the main field of Statistics at second cycle and at least 5 ECTS credits passed in the main field of Computer Science at second cycle.

Intended learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student shall be able to: 

• Explain and use the most important concepts in databases and database technology correctly. 
• Design a data model using EER modeling. 
• Design, implement, and use a relational database. 
• Explain the theoretical basis of the relational model and use this to determine if a relational database has a good design. 
• Explain which file structures in the database management system can be used to implement a database. 
• Explain the basic principles of how to index a database and design an index with good efficiency. 
• Explain the problems that can arise when the database handles many users and some possible solutions to this. 
• Explain how the database can ensure that data is persistent and, given the desired properties of the database, explain how this is solved with database recovery and backup. 
• Explain the main principles behind heuristic query optimization, and given a query, calculate the optimized query and estimate how effective the optimization has been.

Course content

The course covers theoretical and practical knowledge of principles for: 

• Storage and retrieval of information in a modern database system. 
• General database management systems (DBMS). 
• Methods for database design and database use. 
• Data modeling techniques: EER model, relational databases, database-specific data structures, SQL relational algebra and query optimization, transactions, concurrency control, recovery. 

Teaching and working methods

The teaching consists of lectures and computer labs. In addition, the student shall engage in self-study. 

The language of instruction and examination is English. 

Examination

The course is examined through: 

• Active participation in computer laboratory exercises, grading scale: Pass/Fail. 
• Individual written exam, grading scale: EC. 

To pass (E) as the final grade, at least E is required on the individual written exam and Pass on active participation in computer laboratory exercises. Higher grades are based on the individual written exam.

Detailed information can be found in the study guide. 

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

About teaching and examination language

The teaching language is presented in the Overview tab for each course. The examination language relates to the teaching language as follows: 

• If teaching language is “Swedish”, the course as a whole could be given in Swedish, or partly, or as a whole, in English. Examination language is Swedish, but parts of the examination can be in English.
• If teaching language is “English”, the course as a whole is taught in English. Examination language is English.
• If teaching language is “Swedish/English”, the course as a whole will be taught in English if students without prior knowledge of the Swedish language participate. Examination language is Swedish or English depending on teaching language.

Department