Each week you should attend one to two hours of lectures, and one to two hours of practical labs or tutorials. For details of day, time and room, consult the timetables webpage.

Note that Practicals commence in week 2. Although attendance is not compulsory, you need to submit the completion of labs or tutorials in the following weeks before the lecture starts. Instructions of submission of your weekly work will be advised in the first lecture. The labs will allow you to practice the assigned tasks that are directly related to the weekly class topic. The weekly submission of work completion provides you an opportunity to practically learn what it has been covered in the related topics. 

The textbook for ITEC870 used this semester is: Connolly, T. and Begg, C., Database Systems - A Practical Approach to Design, Implementation and Management 5th Ed. Pearson Educational International. There is also a companion website by the publisher at www.pearsoned.com.au. This site contains links to example materials and more.

The following are supportive (i.e. recommended) readings for the course (across the 13 weeks).

Material for the unit can be found at  ILearn   Oracle Technology Network - Database Reference Open source R

 Grading

At the end of the semester, you will receive a grade that reflects your achievement in the unit

• Fail (F): does not provide evidence of attainment of all learning outcomes. There is missing or partial or superficial or faulty understanding and application of the fundamental concepts in the field of study; and incomplete, confusing or lacking communication of ideas in ways that give little attention to the conventions of the discipline.
• Pass (P): provides sufficient evidence of the achievement of learning outcomes. There is demonstration of understanding and application of fundamental concepts of the field of study; and communication of information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline. The learning attainment is considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in relation to the specified outcomes.
• Credit (Cr): provides evidence of learning that goes beyond replication of content knowledge or skills relevant to the learning outcomes. There is demonstration of substantial understanding of fundamental concepts in the field of study and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; plus communication of ideas fluently and clearly in terms of the conventions of the discipline.
• Distinction (D): provides evidence of integration and evaluation of critical ideas, principles and theories, distinctive insight and ability in applying relevant skills and concepts in relation to learning outcomes. There is demonstration of frequent originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and providing solutions; and the use of means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience.
• High Distinction (HD): provides consistent evidence of deep and critical understanding in relation to the learning outcomes. There is substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critical evaluation of problems, their solutions and their implications; creativity in application.

Your final grade reflects how well you perform in each assessment component.  For each assessment component, your mark is based on your performance in relation to the learning outcome assessed by the task. Marks of all assessment components will be added up to a total out of 100.

In order to pass the unit, you are required to

• obtain a total mark of 50% or higher and at least 40% in the final examination 
• obtain at least 50% for all non-examination components such as weekly submissions, test and assignments

To obtain a higher grade than a pass grade, you must demonstrate your understanding and apply the advanced database concept in all assessed components at a proficient or advanced level. The higher grade standards required for this unit are outlined as below:

• A total mark of 85% or higher to obtain High Distinction;
• A total mark of 75% or higher to obtain Distinction;
• A total mark of 65% or higher to obtain Credit.