MASENO UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATICS

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

IT COMMON UNITS

UCI 204: PRINCIPLES OF RELATIONAL DATABASE SYSTEMS

COURSE OUTLINE

1. PURPOSE

This course aims at explaining the nature of databases and the environment in which they operate and the
underpinning theory of databases is the starting point to then consider the difference between logical design
and physical implementation and the need for both automatic monitoring and control (using a database
management system) and human control (from the database administration function

2.0 EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, the learner should be able to:

1. Understand the concepts of databases, relational databases, database management systems and
database administration.
2. describe the components of the database management system environment.
3. differentiate between physical and logical database structures
4. describe the relational database model used in database design
5. understand the Database Systems Development Lifecycle.
6. explain the issues involved in the creation of a RDBMS environment and the installation of a
database.
7. describe the various personnel and job roles in a database environment.
8. use Structured Query Language (SQL) for data definition and data manipulation

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SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATICS

9. develop strategies for integrity and performance of databases and describe ways in which the
integrity of data can be controlled by data definition and indexes
10. understand the need for, and potential problems of, other types of databases especially distributed
databases

3.0 LECTURE SCHEDULE (60 HRS)

WEEK TOPIC HOURS CONTENT

Fundamentals of Databases
1 1 6hrs
Database Systems Development Process
2 2 6hrs
Relational Data Model
3 3 6hrs
Entity Relationship Diagram [ER-D]
4 4 6hrs
Normalization
5 5 6hrs
Components of Relational Database Management Systems
6 6 6hrs
Creating a Relational DBMS
7 7 6hrs
Structured Query Language (SQL)
8 8 6hrs
Personnel and Job Roles In A Database Environment
9 9 6hrs
10 10 4hrs Review
11-12 2hrs Assessment
TOTAL 60hrs

4.0 COURSE EVALUATION

The course will be evaluated through Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs) and final semester examinations.
The CATs will account for 40 marks while the final examination will be worth 60 marks.. The scores will be
graded as follows:

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SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATICS

i. Forum participation (cumulative) 10%

ii. Online quizzes and assignment (Cumulative) 20%
iii. End-of-Semester examination 70%
Total 100%
The pass mark is 50%

5.0 MODE OF DELIVERY

This is an online course that will primarily be delivered through the Internet. It will promote interaction between
students and faculty through electronic communities and online administrative centres. It will take advantage
of the affordances of the online learning environment to promote interactive and collaborative learning.

6.0 INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

The course has a lot of interactive online learning objects mostly sourced from the Internet e.g. power point
presentations, online videos, interactive games and other resources. The student will also be expected to
have access to various software that will be required for the course like spreadsheets, data analysis software,
word processors and bibliography management software. Students are encouraged to download open
source software whenever required.

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