Introduction to Database Concepts Course

What the course is:

The diagram opposite provides a suggested route through some of the database, and associated handouts. Click on the name to see the document. If all the examples are undertaken each handout takes on average 3 hrs to complete,.Therefore the total time to complete the non optional modules is 42 hrs (14x3). The aims of such a course are to:

  • Provide a good understanding of database concepts.
  • Enable you to be able to engage effectively with IM&T professionals in aspects of database design.
  • Develop the skills to develop small scale simple databases for one's personal use (e.g. research & audit)

Several of the optional sessions, principally modelling complex relationships and normalisation, along with part of sections 11 & 12, are necessary for a greater understanding of the actual design process thus allowing you to have greater engagement in the process.

The introduction to Normalisation (7.7) has been written in a web based learning style and takes approximately 6 to 10 hours to complete.

What the course is not:

The course is NOT designed to make you proficient at developing sufficiently robust databases which could be used by others. Such a course would need to include amongst other topics, programming skills, which would include an in depth knowledge of a Database programming language. Do you really want to become a database programmer or administrator?