IRM4723/101/0/2022

Tutorial Letter 101/0/2022

Database Systems IV
IRM4723

Year Module

Department of Information Systems

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please register on myUnisa, activate your myLife e-mail account and
make sure that you have regular access to the myUnisa module
website, IRM4723-2022-Y1, as well as your group website.

Note: This is a fully online module. It is, therefore, only available on myUnisa.

BARCODE
 CONTENTS

Page

1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 4
1.1 Getting started ................................................................................................................................ 4
2 OVERVIEW OF IRM4723 ............................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Purpose .......................................................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Outcomes ....................................................................................................................................... 5
3 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION ............................................................................................ 7
4 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS .................................................................................... 7
4.1 Lecturer(s) ...................................................................................................................................... 7
4.2 Department ..................................................................................................................................... 7
4.3 University ........................................................................................................................................ 7
5 RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................. 7
5.1 Joining myUnisa ............................................................................................................................. 7
5.2 Prescribed book(s) .......................................................................................................................... 8
5.3 Recommended book(s) .................................................................................................................. 8
5.4 Electronic reserves (e-reserves) ..................................................................................................... 8
5.5 Library services and resources ....................................................................................................... 8
6 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ................................................................................................. 9
6.1 First-Year Experience Programme @ Unisa .................................................................................. 10
7. HOW TO STUDY ONLINE ........................................................................................................... 10
7.1 What does it mean to study fully online? ...................................................................................... 10
7.2 myUnisa tools ............................................................................................................................... 10
8. ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................. 11
8.1 Assessment plan .......................................................................................................................... 11
8.2 Assignment numbers .................................................................................................................... 12
8.3 Assignment due dates .................................................................................................................. 13
8.4 The examination ........................................................................................................................... 13
9 ACADEMIC DISHONENESTY ..................................................................................................... 13
9.1 Plagiarism ..................................................................................................................................... 13
9.2 Cheating ....................................................................................................................................... 13
9.3 More information about plagiarism can be downloaded on the link below.................................... 14
10. STUDENT WITH DISABILITY ...................................................................................................... 14

2
 ICT2621/101/0/2022

11 CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................. 14

3
1 INTRODUCTION
We would like to warmly welcome you to the Databases Systems IV (IRM4723)
module. We trust that you will find it both interesting and rewarding. We will do our best to
make your study of this module successful. This tutorial letter provides all the information you
need about the prescribed study material and other resources for this module. Please study
this information carefully and make sure that you obtain the prescribed material as soon as
possible.

Because this is a fully online module, you will need to use myUnisa to study and complete the
learning activities for this module. Visit the website for IRM4723on myUnisa frequently. The
website for your module is IRM4723-20-Y.

1.1 Getting started

Owing to the nature of this module, you can read about the module and find your study material
online. Go to the website at https://my.unisa.ac.za and log in using your student number and
password. Click on "myModules" at the top of the web page and then on "Sites" in the top right
corner. In the new window, click on the grey Star icon next to the modules you want displayed
on your navigation bar. Close the window in the top right corner. Then select the option
"Reload to see your updated favourite sites". Now go to your navigation bar and click on the
module you want to open.

We wish you every success with your studies!

2 OVERVIEW OF IRM4723
2.1 Purpose

The purpose of this module is to familiarize managers with database management

concepts, database management systems, databases, their roles, advantages, and limitations.
Database systems from the perspective of Information Resource Management comprises of
both data and database administration. It is the study of establishing and enforcing standards
to support global and integrated use of enterprise data and the need for the coordination and
control of organization data by the managers.
The module will equip learners with adequate knowledge, and competencies to manage the
design, implement of centralized and distributed database systems in terms of administration,
security, transactions, concurrency, performance, and decision support.
Moreover, qualifying students are expected to differentiate between various database
implementation alternatives and interactions. This module provides fundamental and
prerequisite knowledge that will support further studies and applications in the management
and services of Computer Science and Information systems sector, particularly in the field of
Database Management Systems. These competencies therefore contribute to the development
of competitive Information Technology practitioners who with theoretical and technical
operational skills of designing, implementing and managing single and distributed database
systems.

4
 ICT2621/101/0/2022

2.2 Outcomes

For this module, you will have to master several outcomes:

Specific outcome 1: Coordinate the activities of local database administrators in a

distributed database and management of distributed database management
systems (DDBMS).

Assessment criteria
1. Management and coordination to ensure database administrators
understand distributed database management systems’ benefits, limitations,
and purpose. These are explained with examples.
2. Distributed d a t a b a s e m a n a g e m e n t s y s t e m s a r e d e s i g n e d u s i n g
d i f f e r e n t d e s i g n strategies to solve industry related problems.
3. Distributed database management systems are applied in known, appropriate
contexts, using appropriate techniques and methods.
4. Distributed d a t a b a s e t r a n s p a r e n c y features a r e c r i t i c a l l y analy sed
and explained.
5. Distributed d a t a b a s e s y s t e m s d e s i r a b l e p r o p e r t i e s (CAP
theorem), security and database in the cloud are also explained.

Specific outcome 2: Coordinate the choice of database connectivity interface to

ensure the selection, appropriateness and relevancy of database connectivity
technologies

Assessment criteria
1. Database connectivity options are distinguished and illustrated with real-life
examples.
2. Database connectivity options are applied using appropriate techniques and
method Specific outcome 3: Coordinate administration and security of database
system.

Assessment criteria
1. Comprehension of the database administration strategies are demonstrated
through real life scenarios.
2. Database administration strategies are developed, implemented, and
monitored
3. Database security issues, privacy, and integrity aspects are evaluated,
refined, and enforced.
4. Database security vulnerabilities and protective measures are discussed
5. Database administration tools are examined using real-life scenarios
6. Creation and maintenance of database standards and policies discussed

Specific outcome 4: Coordinate and manage database transactions, concurrency

control, and database performance-tuning.
Assessment criteria
1. Concepts of database transactions, concurrency control, database
performance-tuning are discussed and illustrated using real-world use case
scenarios

5
 2. Database transaction properties and objectives of concurrency control are
clearly articulated
3. Database transaction, concurrency control, database performance-tuning
techniques are correctly applied under appropriate contexts
4. Monitor usage in terms of response times, concurrency level, and transaction
volumes
are maintained at the appropriate time.

Specific outcome 5: Generate database related reports and perform

analyses of databases data for relational decision making.

Assessment criteria
1. Concepts of business intelligence and data analytics are discussed and
demonstrated using real-life examples
2. Operational data and decision support data are clearly explained and
distinguished
3. Decision support database requirements and techniques are correctly
interpreted and applied
4. Data warehousing concepts and techniques are articulated and applied
5. Concepts of big data, data management and meta data are also discussed.

Specific outcome 6: Coordinate and oversee the database Development process.

Assessment criteria
1. Database development life cycle evaluation and revision framework and
database design strategies are discussed
2. Threat to data security and security measures applied are articulated
3. The technical, managerial roles and the important of the database administrator
(DBA) in an organisation are articulated

The following outcomes are embedded in the first six specific outcomes:

1. To understand the terms, identify the structures and formats so as to become

familiar with the principles pertaining to database systems.
2. To understand the operation and utilization of database management systems.
3. To gather information, design, create set-up, utilize and integrate the selected
database in an automated environment.
4. To understand the basic implementation process involved in database
management.

6
 ICT2621/101/0/2022

3 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION
Unisa has implemented a transformation charter based on five pillars and eight dimensions. In
response to this charter, we have placed curriculum transformation high on the teaching and
learning agenda. Curriculum transformation includes the following pillars: student-centred
scholarship, the pedagogical renewal of teaching and assessment practices, the scholarship of
teaching and learning, and the infusion of African epistemologies and philosophies. These
pillars and their principles will be integrated at both programme and module levels as a phased-
in approach. You will notice a marked change in the teaching and learning strategy
implemented by Unisa, together with how the content is conceptualised in your modules. We
encourage you to embrace these changes during your studies at Unisa in a responsive way
within the framework of transformation.

4 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS

4.1 Lecturer(s)

The primary lecturer for this module is Dr S Ssemugabi:

Department: School of Computing Telephone: 0116709200
E-mail: [email protected]

4.2 Department

You can contact the Department of Information Systems as follows:

Telephone number: 011 670 9200

E-mail: [email protected]

4.3 University

To contact the University, you should follow the instructions in the Study @ Unisa brochure.
Remember to have your student number available when you contact the University.
When you contact anybody in the university, please do not forget to always include your student
number. This will help that person to assist you.
If you need to contact the university about administrative matters via e-mail, you should send
your queries to the specific department whose contact details are provided in the brochure
Study @ Unisa that you received in your study package. This brochure also contains other
important information about Unisa.

5 RESOURCES
5.1 Joining myUnisa

The myUnisa learning management system is the University's online campus which will help
you communicate with your lecturers, other students, and the administrative departments within
Unisa. To claim your myUnisa account, please follow the steps below:

1. Visit the myUnisa website at https://my.unisa.ac.za/portal

2. Click on the "Claim Unisa login" link on the top of the screen under the orange user ID box.

7
3. A new screen will load, prompting you to enter your student number. Please enter your
student number and click "continue".
4. Enter your surname, your full name, your date of birth and, finally, your South African ID
number (for South African citizens) OR your passport number (for foreign students). Then
click "continue". Remember to enter either an ID number or a passport number, NOT
both.
5. Please read through the guidelines and click all the check boxes to acknowledge that you
have read all the information provided. Once you are done, click the "Acknowledge" button
to redirect you to the final page in the process.
6. The final page will display your myLife e-mail address, and your myLife AND myUnisa
password. This password will also be sent to the cellphone number displayed on the page
for safekeeping.
7. Please note that it can take up to 24 hours for your myLife e-mail account to be created.

Remember, the password provided is your myUnisa AND myLife password.

5.2 Prescribed book(s)

This module is based on a prescribed book, which you must purchase as soon as possible. The
book is:

Author: Coronel, C. and Morris, S.

Title: Database System: Design, Implementation, & Management.
Edition: 13e (13th)
Year: 2019
ISBN: 978-1-337-62790-0

The syllabus is covered by Chapters 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the prescribed textbook
plus the content of Tutorial letter 102.

This prescribed book is not included with your study material. To obtain a copy of the
prescribed book, please refer to the list of official booksellers and their addresses in the Study
@ Unisa brochure. The older edition will not be sufficient for use.

Prescribed books can be obtained from the University’s official booksellers. If you have difficulty
in locating your book(s) at these booksellers, please contact the Prescribed Book Section at
Tel: 012 429-4152, e-mail [email protected] or refer to the Study @ Unisa brochure.

5.3 Recommended book(s)

There are no recommended books for this module.

5.4 Electronic reserves (e-reserves)

There are no e-Reserves for this module.

5.5 Library services and resources

The Unisa Library offers a range of information services and resources:

8
 ICT2621/101/0/2022

• For a general Library overview, go to

https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/About-the-Library
Library @ a glance
• For detailed Library information, go to
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library
• For research support and services (eg personal librarians and literature search services), go
to
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-services/Research-support

The Library has created numerous Library guides to assist you: http://libguides.unisa.ac.za

Recommended guides:

• Request recommended books and access e-reserve material:

https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request
• Requesting and finding library material: Postgraduate services:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/postgrad
• Finding and using library resources and tools (Research Support):
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/research-support
• Frequently asked questions about the library:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/ask
• Services to students living with disabilities:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/disability
• A-Z databases:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/az.php
• Subject-specific guides:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/?b=s
• Information on fines & payments:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/fines

Assistance with technical problems accessing the Unisa Library or resources:

https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/techsupport

[email protected] (insert your student number in the subject line please)

General library enquiries can be directed to [email protected]

6 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The Study @ Unisa website is available on myUnisa: www.unisa.ac.za/brochures/studies

This website has all the tips and information you need to succeed at Unisa.

9
6.1 First-Year Experience Programme @ Unisa

For many students, the transition from school education to tertiary education is beset with
anxiety. This is also true for first-time students to Unisa. Unisa is a dedicated open distance and
e-learning institution. Unlike face-to-face/contact institutions, Unisa is somewhat different. It is a
mega university and all our programmes are offered through a blended learning mode or fully
online learning mode. It is for this reason that we thought it necessary to offer first-time students
additional/extended support so that you can seamlessly navigate the Unisa teaching and
learning journey with little difficulty and few barriers. In this regard we offer a specialised student
support programme to students entering Unisa for the first time. We refer to this programme as
Unisa’s First-Year Experience (FYE) Programme. The FYE is designed to provide you with
prompt and helpful information about services that the institution offers and how you can access
information. The following FYE programmes are currently offered:

• FYE website: All the guides and resources you need to navigate through your first year at
Unisa can be accessed using the following link: www.unisa.ac.za/FYE

• FYE e-mails: You will receive regular e-mails to help you stay focused and motivated.

• FYE broadcasts: You will receive e-mails with links to broadcasts on various topics related to
your first-year studies (eg videos on how to submit assignments online).

• FYE mailbox: For assistance with queries related to your first year of study, send an e-mail
to [email protected]

7. HOW TO STUDY ONLINE

7.1 What does it mean to study fully online?

Studying fully online modules differs completely from studying some of your other modules at
Unisa.

• All your study material and learning activities for online modules are designed to be
delivered online on myUnisa.
• All your assignments must be submitted online. This means that you will do all your
activities and submit all your assignments on myUnisa. In other words, you may NOT post
your assignments to Unisa using the South African Post Office.
• All communication between you and the University happens online. Lecturers will
communicate with you via e-mail and SMS, and use the Announcements, the Discussion
Forums and the Questions and Answers tools. You can also use all of these platforms to
ask questions and contact your lecturers.

7.2 myUnisa tools

The main tool that we will use is the Lessons tool. This tool will provide the content of and the
assessments for your module. At times you may be directed to join discussions with fellow
students and complete activities and assessments before you can continue with the module.

It is very important that you log in to myUnisa regularly. We recommend that you log in at least
once a week to do the following:

10
 ICT2621/101/0/2022

• Check for new announcements. You can also set your myLife e-mail account so that you
receive the announcement e-mails on your cellphone.
• Do the Discussion Forum activities. When you do the activities for each learning unit, we
want you to share your answers with the other students in your group. You can read the
instructions and even prepare your answers offline, but you will need to go online to post
your messages.
• Do other online activities. For some of the learning unit activities you might need to post
something on the Blog tool, take a quiz or complete a survey under the Self-Assessment
tool. Do not skip these activities because they will help you complete the assignments and
the activities for the module.

We hope that by giving you extra ways to study the material and practise all the activities, this
will help you succeed in the online module. To get the most out of the online module, you MUST
go online regularly to complete the activities and assignments on time.

8. ASSESSMENT
8.1 Assessment plan

• To complete this module, you will be required to submit 3 assignments.

• All information on when and where to submit your assignments will be made available to
you via the myUnisa site for your module.

• Due dates for assignments, as well as the actual assignments are available on the
myUnisa site for this module.

• To gain admission to the examination, you will be required to submit one assignment.

• Your assignments will comprise a combination of MCQs and essay type.

• The assignment weighting for the module is 30%.

• The examination will be a timed exam (MCQ).

The examination will count 70% towards the final module mark

*Because this is an online module, the assignments are not provided in this tutorial letter.
Instead, the assignments are provided online as they become due. You will see them when you
go online.

Assignment 01 (Chapters 9 and 10)

Assignment 02 (Chapters 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the prescribed textbook): A multiple-
choice assignment on Unisa platforms.

Assignment 03 (Chapters 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the prescribed textbook plus the
content of Tutorial letter 102): A written (typed) assignment that will be marked online. It must be
in pdf format.

All multiple-choice assignments, such as Assignment 01, is marked electronically. No multiple-

choice assignment received after the due date can be accepted.

11
You will get a year mark based on the percentages you achieve for Assignments 01, 02 and
03. The year mark will contribute 30% towards your final mark for this module. A year mark
does not contribute to the result of a student writing a supplementary examination. It will
contribute in the case of an aegrotat examination. A weight of 20% towards the year mark is
allocated to assignment 01, 40% to assignment 02 and a weight of 40% to assignment 03. A
discussion of the way in which the year mark is calculated follows. We use an example to
explain:
Suppose you obtained the following marks for your assignments:
Assignment 01: 65%
Assignment 02: 68%
Assignment 03 77%

Your year mark will be calculated as follows:

(65 × 0.2) + (68 × 0.4) + (77 × 0.4)% = 71%, where 0.2 (20%), 0.4 (40%) and 0.6 (60%) are the
weights associated with Assignments 01, 02 and 03 respectively.

Suppose you achieve an exam mark of 74%. Your final mark will be calculated as follows:
(71 × 0.30) % + (74 × 0.70)% = (20.4 + 51.8)% = 73.1% that will be rounded off to 72%.

Due dates will be given for Assignments 01, 02 and 03. Please do not contact us for an
extension of any of the submission dates. You are strongly advised to submit all
assignment via myUnisa. Please convert Assignments 02 and 03 to pdf format by converting
your typed assignment to pdf or by scanning your written assignment to pdf. Then, upload the
assignment to myUnisa. Please note that it is your responsibility to make sure that your
assignments are received by the University. Also make sure that your marks for Assignments
01, 02 and 03 are incorporated into your year mark before you write the examination. Note that
MS Word has an option to save a document as a pdf. If your version cannot do this, there are a
number of free shareware applications on the internet that you can use.

8.2 Assignment numbers

• There are no assignment due dates included in this tutorial letter.

• Assignment due dates will be made available to you on the landing page of myUnisa for
this module. We envisage that the due dates will be available to you upon registration.

• Please start working on your assignments as soon as you register for the module.

• Log on to the myUnisa site for this module to obtain more information on the due dates
for the submission of the assignments

12
 ICT2621/101/0/2022

8.3 Assignment due dates

• Modules offered by Unisa are online (all information is available via the internet). In all
cases of online engagement, we use myUnisa as our virtual campus.

• From 2022, the myUnisa virtual campus will be offered via a new learning management
system. This is an online system that is used to administer, document and deliver
educational material to you and support engagement with you.

• Look out for information from your lecturer as well as other Unisa platforms to determine
how to access the virtual myUnisa module site.

• Information on the tools that will be available to engage with the lecturer and fellow
students to support your learning will also be communicated via various platforms.

• The University undertakes to communicate as clearly and as frequently as is necessary

to ensure optimum advantage in the use of the new learning management system.

• Additional information on the use of the myUnisa site for the module, as well as features
to engage and communicate with your lecturer and other students will also be made
available via the online site for the module.

• Therefore, log on to the myUnisa site for your module to gain more information on where
to complete and/or upload your assignments and how to communicate with your lecturer.

8.4 The examination

Examination information and details on the format of the examination will be made available to
you online via the myUnisa site. Look out for information that will be shared with you by your
lecturer and e-tutors (where relevant) and for communication from the University

9 ACADEMIC DISHONENESTY
9.1 Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of taking the words, ideas and thoughts of others and presenting them as
your own. It is a form of theft which involves several dishonest academic activities, such as the
following:

• Cutting and pasting from any source without acknowledging the source.
• Not including or using incorrect references.
• Paraphrasing without acknowledging the original source of the information.

9.2 Cheating
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Completing assessments on behalf of another student, copying from another student

during an assessment or allowing a student to copy from you.

13
 • Using social media (e.g., WhatsApp, Telegram) or other platforms to disseminate
assessment information.
Submitting corrupt or irrelevant files.
• Buying completed answers from “tutors” or internet sites (contract cheating).
9.3 More information about plagiarism can be downloaded on the link below
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/myunisa/default/Study-@-Unisa/Student-values-and-rules

10. STUDENT WITH DISABILITY

The Advocacy and Resource Centre for Student with Disability ARCSWiD) provides an
opportunity for staff to interact with new and returning students with disabilities.

• If you are a student with a disability and would like additional support or need additional
time for assessments, you are invited to contact Dr S. Ssemugabi at
[email protected].

11 CONCLUSION
Do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail if you are experiencing problems with the content of this
tutorial letter or with any academic aspect of the module.

We wish you a fascinating and satisfying journey through the learning material, and trust that
you will complete the module successfully.

Enjoy the journey!

Dr S Ssemugabi – lecturer for IRM4723

DEPARTMENT of Information Systems

14