INF-21306 Data Management

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Fluency in English, at ease with computers, basic mathematics.

Continuation courses:

INF-51306 Big Data, INF-31306 Information Systems for Managers and Engineers, INF-50806 Agent-Based Modelling of Complex Adaptive Systems, thesis work

Contents:

This is a first but thorough course in data management. The course includes extensive practical work in the design, construction and use of databases in the students' field of study. Practical work involves MySQL and Microsoft Access, possibly other database software such as Postgres or Oracle. The main focus is on research data.

Learning outcomes:

To become competent as a manager of data and a worker with data models and databases. After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- demonstrate a managerial perspective on an organization's memory;
- apply concepts of relational database design including various syntax and diagramming conventions, keys and relations;
- use an Entity/Relationship diagramming tool for designing a database;
- create (meaning design) a database for a realistic problem situation in their field of study;
- construct a relational database, including integrity constraints;
- construct complex data retrieval queries to a database using SQL (Structured Query Language).

Activities:

- take a tutorial in a database package (MS Access or MySQL;
- do realistic database design exercises;
- do advanced database querying exercises;
- study the course book "Data Management";
- perform a database development project in a team about a topic in the students' field of study, write a report on it, present the results.

Examination:

- individual written closed book exam (50%, needs a minimum mark of 5.0 to pass);
- team assignment (50%, needs a minimum mark of 5.5 to pass).
Exams in period 1 and 5 are multiple choice questions, re-exams in February and August are open questions.

Literature:

Blackboard offers all support material:
study guide, explanatory texts, self tests, sample exam questions and sample project results of prior teams.
The book for the course is:
Richard T. Watson. Data Management, Databases and Organizations. 6th ed. (e-book).
See http://www.wageningenur.nl/inf