MN405 - Data and Information Management

Credit Points: 20 credit points

Workload: 60 hours

Prerequisite: N/A

Co-requisite: N/A

Aims & Objectives

This is a core unit out of a total of 6 units in the Graduate Diploma of Networking (GDNet) and 12 units in the Master of Networking (MNet) in the non-cognate stream. This unit addresses the GDNet and MNet course learning outcomes and complements other courses in a related field by developing students’ specialised knowledge in network fundamentals data and information management. For further course information refer to: http://www.mit.edu.au/study-with-us/programs/graduate-diploma-networking and http://www.mit.edu.au/study-with-us/programs/master-networking. This unit is part of the AQF level 8 (GDNet) and AQF level 9 (MNet) courses.

Network data is a valuable corporate asset and its effective management can be vital to an organisation’s success. This unit introduces the concepts of fundamental networking, and the application of database management systems in managing data and information assets of an organisation. This unit covers the key areas of data management, including database development and corporate data modelling. 

An introduction to the concepts and issues relating to data warehousing, governance, administration, security and privacy and alternative database structures is presented. The unit concentrates upon building a firm foundation in information representation, organisation and storage with particular emphasis upon the application of database systems. This unit will cover the following topics:

  • Fundamentals: networking, OSI models.
  • Database: Introduction to database management systems, the advantages and disadvantages of the database approach.
  • Data Modelling: Modelling concepts, entity-relationship model, converting an entity-relationship model to a relational model.
  • Information Systems: Database systems in the context of information systems. Types of information systems. Organization and management theories.
  • Relational Model: Primary keys, foreign keys, referential integrity, relational algebra, structured query language (SQL), normalisation.
  • Other Database Models: Distributed databases, object-oriented databases, data warehousing.
  • Transaction Processing: Security, recovery, concurrency control, locking and deadlocks, time-stamping, backup and queries.

Learning Outcomes

4.1 Course Learning Outcomes
The Course learning outcomes applicable to this unit are listed on the Melbourne Institute of Technology’s website: www.mit.edu.au 

4.2 Unit Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit students should be able to:
a. Understand the fundamental principles of the networking and data requirements of a network.
b. Identify organisational information requirements.
c. Model organisational information requirements using conceptual data modelling techniques.
d. Convert the conceptual data models into relational data models and verify their structural characteristics with normalisation techniques.
e. Implement and utilise a relational database using a database system.
 

Weekly Topics

This unit will cover the content below:

Week Topics
1 Introduction to Computer Networks
2 Network Hardware Essentials
3 Network Topologies and Technologies
4 Introduction to information systems. Introduction to Database Management principles and concepts.
5 Introduction to Structured Query Language (SQL)
6 Data Models
7 The Relational Model Views, Indexes, Integrity
8 Entity Relationship (ER) Modelling
9 Normalisation of Database tables
10 Distributed database management, transaction management and concurrency control
11 Web technologies, Database administration and Security
12 Business Intelligence and Data Warehouse, review

Assessment

Assessment Task Due Date Release Date A B Learning Outcomes Assessed
Formative Assignment 1 Week 3 (10/4/2022) Week 1 5%   a
In-class test (On Campus, Face to Face) Week 5 (2/5/2022) Week 1   10% a-b
Assignment 2 Group Week 11 (31/5/2022) Week 6 25%   c-e
Class participation & contribution Week 2-11 (6/6/2022) Week  1-10 10%   a-e
Final Examination (3 hours)       50% a-e
TOTALS     40% 60%  

Task Type: Type A: unsupervised, Type B: supervised.

Class Participation and Contribution
This unit has class participation and student contribution as an assessment. The assessment task and marking rubric will follow the Guidelines on Assessing Class Participation (https://www.mit.edu.au/about-us/governance/institute-rules-policies-and-plans/policies-procedures-and-guidelines/Guidelines_on_Assessing_Class_Participation). Further details will be provided in the assessment specification on the type of assessment tasks and the marking rubrics.

Textbook and Reference Materials

Text Book:

  • Douglas Comer, Everything You Need to Know about Computer Networking and How the Internet Works, 5th Ed., Chapman and Hall/CRC, 2018
  • C. Coronel, S. Morris, Database Systems: Design, Implementation, & Management, 13th ed., Cengage Learning 2019.


References:

  • J. L. Starks, P. J. Pratt, M. Z. Last, Concepts of database management, 9th ed., Cengage Learning, 2019
  • P. J. Pratt and M. Z. Last , Concepts of database management, 8th ed., Thomson Course Technology, 2015.
  • P. J. Pratt and M. Z. Last, A Guide to SQL. 9th ed., Boston: Cengage Learning, 2014. 

Adopted Reference Style: IEEE

Graduate Attributes

MIT is committed to ensure the course is current, practical and relevant so that graduates are “work ready” and equipped for life-long learning. In order to accomplish this, the MIT Graduate Attributes identify the required knowledge, skills and attributes that prepare students for the industry.
The level to which Graduate Attributes covered in this unit are as follows:

Ability to communicate Independent and Lifelong Learning Ethics Analytical and Problem Solving Cultural and Global Awareness Team work Specialist knowledge of a field of study

Legend

Levels of attainment Extent covered
The attribute is covered by theory and practice, and addressed by assessed activities in which the students always play an active role, e.g. workshops, lab submissions, assignments, demonstrations, tests, examinations.
The attribute is covered by theory or practice, and addressed by assessed activities in which the students mostly play an active role, e.g. discussions, reading, intepreting documents, tests, examinations.
The attribute is discussed in theory or practice; it is addressed by assessed activities in which the students may play an active role, e.g. lectures and discussions, reading, interpretation, workshops, presentations.
The attribute is presented as a side issue in theory or practice; it is not specifically assessed, but it is addressed by activities such as lectures or tutorials.
The attribute is not considered, there is no theory or practice or activities associated with this attribute.