N90308 Information Structure and Management

1. Introduction to DataBases and DataBase Management Systems (DBMS)
2. DB design at the conceptual level (ER model)
3. DB design at the logical level (relational model)
4. Implementation of simple DBs using appropriate tools (MS Access)

The course includes:

1. lectures, aiming at presenting design methodologies both at the conceptual and the logical design level,
2. practical lessons in computer laboratory to apply the methodoligies to actual DB implementation.

The exam can be carried out either face-to-face (in presence) or remotely (distance). In both cases, as part of the teaching activities related to the course, a simulation of the exam will be organized to allow all candidates to better understand the operating procedures of the test and to reduce any operational/organizational problem as much as possible.

Full exam - face-to-face mode

The exam is held in the computerized classrooms (PC laboratories) and consists of a written part based on some open and/or closed questions to be answered in the traditional way (on paper), followed by some practical exercises to be solved using the tools installed on the PCs made available to students.

The organization of the written part (on paper) is traditional, while the practical part (on PC) is "open book", i.e. the candidates can use books, notes, and various materials.

Full exam - distance mode

The exam consists of two written parts, each followed by an oral part.

• Each of the two written parts uses a PC for the test and an additional device (smartphone) for control and connection (via zoom). Each written part consists of

  • some questions to be answered directly on the exam platform or by completing files on your PC,

  • some practical exercises to be solved using the tools installed on the PCs available to the candidate (and for which the candidate is responsible for their correct functioning).

The number of questions/exercises is usually between three and five for each written test. The questions or exercises will be proposed one at a time through the platform ecorsi.liuc.it. The candidate must answer the questions or upload the solution of each exercise (composed of one or more files) within the time foreseen for the single exercise. Files uploaded after the established time limit will not be accepted.

• The oral part following each written test includes one or more questions related to the teaching program and/or the solution of the written part. Only students who have passed the corresponding written part are admitted to the oral part.

Partial tests

During the course, two partial tests can be scheduled. Each test is organized like the full exam, with one only written part followed by the corresponding oral part. Passing both the partial tests replaces the final exam. The overall evaluation is equal to a combination (usually a weighted average) of the results of the ongoing tests.

The calendar of the partial tests is defined during the year.