CSC8017 : Database Systems
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Dan Nesbitt
- Lecturer: Dr John Colquhoun, Dr Essam Ghadafi
- Teaching Assistant: Mr Oshada Lokuhetty
- Owning School: Computing
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To introduce the fundamentals of database system design and use.
Outline Of Syllabus
Relational Modelling.
XML representation of data.
NoSQL.
ORMs.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 22 | 1:00 | 22:00 | Practical activities and formative assessment. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Lectures (in person). |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Practicals (in person). |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Lecture follow-up. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Revision for end of semester exam and exam duration. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 18:00 | 18:00 | Background reading. |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will be recorded in advance or conducted live and be used to introduce the learning material and for demonstrating the key concepts by example. Students are expected to follow-up lectures within a few days by re-reading and annotating lecture notes to aid deep learning. This is a very practical subject and learning materials are supported by hands-on opportunities provided by practical classes. Students are expected to spend time on coursework outside timetabled drop-in sessions.
Students aiming for distinction marks are expected to widen their knowledge beyond the content of lecture notes through background reading.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 100 | Examination (open book). |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | Database design and implementation exercise. Informal feedback provided in practical classes. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Techniques and theory are presented in lectures and assessed with the aid of practical examples and case studies. Practical assignments are used to enforce the principles that are taught and are assessed directly.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CSC8017's Timetable