Academic Year 2021/2022

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Statistical Sciences (cod. 9222)

    Also valid for First cycle degree programme (L) in Statistical Sciences (cod. 8873)

Learning outcomes

The student learns the fundamental principles of the relational data model and of the relational database management systems. In particular, the student will be able to understand the structure of a relational database, the integrity constraints on data and the SQL query language.

Course contents

Comprehend Web data

Data modelling

Main concepts to describe and arrange data:

  • Conceptual model (Entity - Relationship diagram)
  • Logical model (relations)

Database management

  • Database management systems (DBMS)

A language to query data bases: SQL

  • Data definition and manipulation
  • Query databases

Data analysis

  • Extract data, information
  • Create data views

Data integration

Pracatice sessions on Statistical Analysis and 'Data Analytics'


Readings/Bibliography

Lectures will be mainly based on the book of Jeff Ullman and Jennifer Widom: "A First Course in Database Systems". Further readings, examples and exercises will be made available weekly on “Virtual Learning Environment”.

Teaching methods

Lectures will be held in seminar and in computer rooms. Participation at the lecture (theory and practice) is a valid support for the comprehension of the topics covered.

Practice sessions are prevalent and fundamental to acquire the knowledge and competencies on the concepts and tools.


Assessment methods

Practical and written assessment (2 hours).The assessment consists in two parts.

In the first written part is required to design a data model based on given requisites (35%), and further to solve/answer to exercises and/or questions on course contents (20%). Use of teaching material is not allowed.

In the second practical part is required to write queries on a real database through SQL language (45%). It is allowd to use only the teaching material.

The final grade (over thirty) is computed applying percentages (weights) assigned to each type or request.

Teaching tools

Personal Computer and Open Source software to manage and query relational databases (MySQL) and Open Source software for data analysis (R) and 'Data Analytics'.

Office hours

See the website of Damiano Marino Somenzi