Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to
* explain the basic concepts and terminology related to physical database design and implementation
* use the basic database administration tools to create and manage a database in the target environment
* apply declarative and procedural integrity enforcement in the database implementation
* explain basic database performance problems and ways to improve database performance
* explain the basic concurrency mechanisms and concurrency conflicts
* use SQL transactions efficiently to ensure database performance and consistency
* explain transaction logging and database recovery
* perform database backup and restore operations.

The course focuses on physical database design and implementation in the relational database environment. The main themes on the course are database integrity, database performance, database security, and database recoverability. The course includes hands-on work on the following:
* data integrity enforcement
* database performance, database indexes
* concurrency control and transaction management in the multi-user environment
* transaction logging and database recovery, backup and restore
* database security.

a. Contact lessons, course assignments, independent studies, and written examinations OR
b. Self-study, course assignments, and written examinations.

If you already have achieved the required learning objectives of this course, then you can show your competence with a portfolio and a demonstration exam. Please contact the teacher of the course if you need any advice on this matter. Recognition of prior learning should be applied for prior commencing the course.
See also: Further information regarding the recognition of prior learning

Course pages

Connolly, T. & Begg, C. Database Systems. A Practical Approach to Design, Implementation, and Management. 3rd edition or later. Addison-Wesley.

For additional reading:
Dewson, R. Beginning SQL Server for Developers: From Novice to Professional. New York: Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

This course focuses on the physical level of the database architecture. You will get hands-on skills in database administration needed in the database developer role. The weekly hands-on exercises in the SQL Server environment will give you practical experience and help you to learn the course content in motivating way.

This course is a part of the Software Development study profile.

The course prerequisite is that you have passed the course Data Management and Databases (SOF001AS2AE) or an equivalent course.

The student
* shows passable activity in class and individual studying
* has passable understanding of the concepts and terminology discussed in the course
* has passable understanding of the basic ways to improve database performance
* has passable understanding of the main problems in concurrent database access
* often needs some assistance in solving basic problems
* has some difficulties in using the course materials to support own learning.

The student
* shows good activity in class and individual studying
* has good understanding of the concepts and terminology discussed in the course
* has good understanding of the basic ways to improve database performance
* has good understanding of the main problems in concurrent database access
* sometimes needs assistance in solving basic problems
* can use the course materials in an effective way to support own learning
* can find some more information from other sources.

The student
* shows excellent activity in class and individual studying
* has excellent understanding of the concepts and terminology discussed in the course
* has excellent understanding of the basic ways to improve database performance
* has excellent understanding of the main problems in concurrent database access
* can solve problems independently
* can fluently use the course materials and other sources to support own learning
* can independently find more information from other sources
* can independently learn more details of course topics.