The Databases (DB) course is the first one in a series of courses that are being taught under the specialisation in Databases and Software Engineering. Part of the contents of this course needs the

knowledge acquired in the courses Introduction to Programming, Modular Programming, Object Oriented Programming and Data Structures and Algorithms. In this course we deal with concepts that are in direct relationship with the courses Database Design and Big Data Applications Development.

Databases are ubiquitous across all businesses and industries, therefore the content of this course is

basic for any future professional in the field of informatics.

Knowledge about the characteristics, functionalities and structure of the database systems that allow the adequate use and implementation of solutions based on them. Ability to identify, develop,

implement and verify the most appropriate solutions to manipulate databases.



Learning outcomes include:

1. To know he structure and basic components of database systems and to understand their general

mode of operation.

2. To grasp the main theoretical concepts of the relational model.

3. To understand the schema of a relational database, how to create relational databases and to be

able to modify and manipulate the data stored in the database, using the functionalities of the

Database Management Systems.

4. To learn the standard language for the creation and manipulation of relational databases (SQL)

both at a theoretical and practical level by means of a specific Database Management System. To

use SQL to specify queries on a database at various levels from beginner to expert.

5. To learn the concept of transaction, its characteristics and to understand how to manage them

properly.

6. To know the theoretical foundations of database programming from external applications and to

be able to carry out a practical case. To use skilfully some software development tools and

environments.

1. Database System Concepts.

2. The relational model.

2.1. Relational model, constraints and schemas

2.2. Relational algebra

3. SQL Language: definition, queries and basic DB manipulation.

3.1. SQL Data Definition Language

3.2. Basic Retrieval Queries

4. Advanced SQL.

4.1. Complex SQL queries and operations

4.2. Exercises on SQL queries.

5. Transaction Processing. Definitions and use.

6. Database programming through applications. JDBC.

The course will have 150 hours (60 face-to-face hours and 90 non-presential hours). In this course

we use several teaching methodologies. There are three types of classroom activities: master classes

(lectures), practice classes and laboratory sessions. The topics of the course will be presented in

classroom lectures and complementary reading material will be indicated. The description of the

topics will be followed by exercises that will consolidate the concepts explained in the lectures.

Laboratory practices will be carried out in face-to-face and non-face-to-face sessions.

The methodology assumes continuous attendance to lectures, working on the solutions to the

proposed problems and programming projects and the active participation in the class sessions.

There are practical cases using tools like Relax and other well-known DBMSs such as MySQL.

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • See below weights and types of evaluation (%): 100

The preferential, and default, method of assessment is the Continuous Assessment. Nevertheless, the student may renounce this option.



(1) Continuous Assessment

The weights used in continuous assessment are as follows:

- Activities related to continuous tracking of the student performances:

One or more midterm exams with weight of 15% for The Topics 1 and 2 (First part of continuous timetable), a weight of 45% for Topics 3 and 4 (2nd part of continuous timetable; 4 out 10 required to pass the exam) and 10% for Topics 5 and 6 (in the final exam). This gives a total of 70%.

- Assessment of the practice work (small project) 30%



(2) In global assessment, 85% of the grade will be assessed in the final exam and 15% will correspond to the practice work (small programming project or individual exercises).



NOTE: In case of return to confinement, the exams (both for continuous and global assessments) will be carried out electronically (telematically) through questionnaires, interviews and/or other

deliverables through eGela and via BbC connection.

In the supplemental session, similar criteria are used as in the first call: 85% of the grade will be

assessed in the final exam and 15% will correspond to the practice work done by the student in the

course.



NOTE: In case of return to confinement, the exam will be carried out electronically (telematically) through questionnaires, interviews and/or other deliverables through eGela and via BbC connection.

- eGela
- Relax tool
- MySQL
- JDBC

Basic bibliography

[EN] Elmasri, Ramez & Shamkant B. Navathe. (2010). Database Systems. Global edition, Sixth

Ed. Pearson Education. ISBN 9780132144988.

[EN] Elmasri, Ramez & Shamkant B. Navathe. (2016). Database Systems. Global edition. 7th ed.

Pearson Education. ISBN-13: 978-0-13-397077-7

[EN] Comeau, Andrew. MySQL Explained. OSTraining, 2016.

In-depth bibliography

[EN] Thomas Connolly and Carolyn Begg. (2015) Database Systems: A Practical Approach to
Design, Implementation and Management. Global edition, 6th Ed. Pearson Education.
[EN] Silberschatz Abraham, Korth Henry y Sudarshan S. (2011). Database System Concepts. 6th
Ed. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. ISBN 978-0-07-352332-3
[EN] Edward Sciore, Database Design and Implementation, 2nd Edition, 2020,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33836-7
[ES] Pérez, T.A. & Irastorza, A. (2012). 26 Dominios Con Ejercicios de SQL: 270 Consultas de
SQL de nivel avanzado. Editorial Académica Española. ISBN 978-3659028137
[EU] Irastorza, A & Pérez TA. (2012). 26 Domeinu SQL Ariketekin: Maila aurreratuko 270 SQL
kontsulta. Editorial Académica Española. ISBN 978-3659018169

Web addresses

https://www.mysql.com/
http://www.mysqltutorial.org/
https://dbis-uibk.github.io/relax/landing
https://www.pearson.com/us/higher-education/program/Elmasri-Fundamentals-of-Database-
Systems-7th-Edition/PGM189052.html