GREAT ZIMBABWE UNIVERSITY

MUNHUMUTAPA SCHOOL OF COMMERCE

ACCOUNTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT

DATABASE DESIGN CONCEPTS (ISH116)

Lecturer: Mr I. CHIBIDI

Email: ichibidi@gzu.ac.zw

Cell: 0773893975

Contact Hours: 36 Hours

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course introduces the principles and practices of database design and
implementation using SQL. The concepts, structures, principles and methods for
analysis design and implementation of database management systems are covered.
The relational database approach (which is the thrust of the course) is contrasted with
the traditional file – oriented approach. Database security issues are covered

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this course students should be able to

 Design and implement a database from scratch using any DBMS product that
uses SQL
 Demonstrate Database concepts in theory and practical.
 Have an understanding of the principles underlying relational databases
 Know the techniques used to design and develop practical database systems
 Be able to model data
 Have an understanding of database programming using SQL
LEARNING & TEACHING MODES

Lectures, In-class group presentations, in-class discussions and assignments.

COURSE OUTLINE

TOPIC

1 Overview of database Management System (DBMS) and

Database (Db) System Architecture

 Definition of terms: database; database management

systems
 Database system vs File system
 Introduction to data models

 Database system architecture

 ANSI-SPARC architecture; database application
architectures i.e. 2-tier and 3-tier architecture
 Database languages
 Database users and administrators

2 Relational Database Concepts

 Introduction to the relational model

 Primary, candidate and foreign keys

 Relational operators and relational algebra

 Attribute domains

3 Entity Relationship (ER) model

 Introduction to ER model
 Entities and attributes
 Relationships
 Cardinalities
4 The Normalization Process

 Introduction to normalization
 Data anomalies in 1NF, 2NF and 3NF
 Functional, partial, transitive and full dependences
 First normal form (1NF)
 Second normal form (2NF)
 Third normal form (3NF)
 Boyce Codd Normal Form (BCNF)

5 Introduction to Structured Query Language – SQL

 Introduction to SQL
 Naming conventions
 Structure of SQL statement
 Data Definition Language (DDL)
 Data Manipulation Language (DML)

6 Basic Security Issues

 Database security: definition of database security;

 Introduction to the need of database security
 Types of database security violations, authorization,
views, privileges; audit trails;
 Physical and logical security

 Integrity and Security

o Types of integrity i.e. referential integrity; entity
integrity
o Encryption and Authentication: encryption
techniques; authentication
 7 Concurrency Control

 Define concurrency control

 Types of concurrency control (locks, timestamps etc)

COURSE ASSESSMENT

1) Final Examination 70%

2) Continuous Assessment 30%

* Continuous assessment involves 2 assignments, 1 in class Test, and 1 group

presentation.

REFERENCES

1. Ramon A.Pauline K Cushman, 2000, FUNDAMENTALS OF RELATIONAL

DATABASES
2. Data Modelling; A Beginners’ Guide by Oppel 2010, Mcraw_Hill
3. Databases: Development by Rob and Seaman, Mcraw_Hill
4. Elmasri et al (2006), Fundamentals of Database Systems, Dorling Kindersley
(India) Pvt. Ltd.
5. Silberschatz et al (2002), Database Systems Concepts 4th Edition, McGraw-
Hill Higher Education.
6. Manning, M.V. (2004), Database: Design, Application Development and
Administration 2nd Edition, McGraw Hill.
7. Date, C. J. (2000), An Introduction to Database Systems 7th Edition, Pearson
Education India.
EXPECTATIONS

 Each student must submit assignments by the date indicated. Late submissions
will not be accepted.
 Please be in class on time. Late students disrupt class.
 If you prefer to sleep or be on your cell phone, do not come to class. Students
are encouraged to put all their cell-phones on silent mode or keep them switched
off during class.
 It is important to regularly attend the class and to participate and contribute in the
class discussions. While attendance may not necessarily be taken every day,
both excessive absences and attendance would be duly noted.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY/PLAGIARISM
University students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest
standards of academic honesty. Academic misconduct for which a student is subject to
penalty includes all forms of cheating, such as illicit possession of examinations or
examination materials, falsification, forgery, complicity or plagiarism. (Plagiarism is the
presentation of the work of another as one’s own work.) In this class, academic
misconduct or complicity in an act of academic misconduct on an assignment or test will
result in failing the assignment.