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Sistemi Informativi e Basi di Dati (GEST)
Information Systems and Databases
Domenico Potena

Seat Ingegneria
A.A. 2016/2017
Credits 9
Hours 72
Period I
Language ENG

Prerequisites
None

Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
The course aims at introducing the concepts, methods and languages for the management of structured information within organizations. The student will learn the advantages of using DBMS to manage data in an integrated fashion and the differences with a file-based management.
CAPACITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
At the end of the course the student will be able to perform simple gathering and analysis of information requirements, to design medium-sized databases, to create, to populate, and to query databases using state-of-the-art languages and database management systems.
TRANSVERSAL SKILLS:
The development of the project of a database, which will be done in groups and will be documented by a report, will help to enhance communication, independent judgment and problem solving skills. Group work and interaction with domain experts, during the requirement gathering phase, will contribute to improve the ability to communicate with non-engineering parties.

Program
- introduction to enterprise information systems: definitions of organization, information and computer systems. Enterprise processes. Characteristics of processes, information and data. Introduction to databases and database management systems: basic definitions, database schemes and instances, abstraction levels, abstraction and independence. Languages for database management, Database users. - relational model: definition of relation, relations and tables, null values, integrity constraints. - relational algebra. - SQL. - database design: general methodologies, conceptual design and the Entity/Relationship model. logical design.

Development of the examination
LEARNING EVALUATION METHODS
The assessment of student learning is structured in three parts: - The development of a project of a database; - A written test, consisting of closed- and open-ended questions on the topics of the course; - An oral examination, consisting in the discussion on one or more topics covered in the course, also starting from the any gaps that emerged during the development of the other tests. The project can be done in groups, with a maximum of three students. A positive outcome of the project gives access to the written test, in the same or subsequent examination session. In order to access to the oral exam, the student must achieve at least a pass in the written test. The oral examination is to be held in the same session of the written test. In case of negtive result of the oral exam, the student must also repeat the written test.

LEARNING EVALUATION CRITERIA
In order to successfully pass the assessment of learning, the student must demonstrate, through the procedure described above, that: - she has understood the concepts presented in the course on the models and languages for data management and - she has a clear understanding of methods for database design, and has to be able to correctly apply these methods.

LEARNING MEASUREMENT CRITERIA
For each of the abovementioned tests a score between zero and thirty is assigned. The overall score is the average of scores obtained in the three tests.

FINAL MARK ALLOCATION CRITERIA
In order to pass the exam, the student has to achieve at least a pass (i.e. 18/30) in each of abovementioned tests. The maximum score is achieved by demonstrating, in each test, a thorough understanding of the course topics. The 30 cum laude is reserved for students who have demonstrated to be particularly brilliant both in written and oral presentations.

Recommended reading
P. Atzeni, S. Ceri, S. Paraboschi, R. Torlone, “Basi di dati: modelli e linguaggi di interrogazione“, 2° ed.”, McGraw-Hill, Italia

Courses

• Ingegneria Gestionale (Corso di Laurea Triennale Fuori Sede (DM 270/04))