Advanced databases

The course is part of several programs and is also a single-subject course at Gothenburg University.

The course can be part of the following programmes: 1) Computer Science, Master's Programme (N2COS), 2) Applied Data Science Master's Programme (N2ADS) and 3) Software Engineering and Management Master's Programme (N2SOF)

To be eligible to the course, the student should have a Bachelor's degree in any subject, or have successfully completed 90 credits of studies in computer science, software engineering, or equivalent. Specifically, at least 15 credits of successfully completed courses in programming or equivalent are required. The student also needs to have attended a course in databases of at least 7.5 credits (e.g. DIT621 Databases or DIT032 Data management).

Applicants must prove knowledge of English: English 6/English level 2 or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.

Course contents:

• database management system architecture and implementation
  concurrency and recovery
• indexes
• query processing and optimization
• Semantic Web; RDF; RDF Schema; SPARQL
• ontologies - NoSQL systems; aggregation-orientation; CAP theorem
• querying graph databases
• database applications

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• describe concepts relating to the implementation of database management systems
• compare and contrast features of relational and non-relational databasemanagement systems

Competence and skills

• construct Web ontology language statements corresponding to an Entity-Relationship diagram
• construct RDF (Resource Description Framework) triples that contain data for agiven domain
• implement a graph database for a given domain
• retrieve data using declarative query languages for graph databases

Judgement and approach

• discuss advantages and disadvantages of different database design decisions
• discuss advantages and disadvantages of alternative query plans
• discuss suitability of different database management systems for various tasks

The course consists of weekly lectures and exercise sessions, as well as supervised lab sessions.

Language of instruction: English

Written individual exam given in an examination hall and programming assignments.
The programming assignments are normally carried out in pairs.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3) and Fail (U).
To pass the course, students must receive a passing grade in both modules. The grade for the entire course will be determined by the written exam.

The course is evaluated through meetings both during and after the course between teachers and student representatives. Further, an anonymous questionnaire is used to ensure written information. The outcome of the evaluations serves to improve the course by indication which parts could be added, improved, changed or removed.

The course is a joint course together with Chalmers.

Course literature to be announced the latest 8 weeks prior to the start of the course.

The course cannot be included in a degree which contains DIT346, DIT873, DIT872 or DIT871. Neither can the course be included in a degree which is based on another degree in which the course DIT873, DIT872 or DIT871 is included.