A postgraduate course in Computing and IT.

This course has been designed for anyone who uses or administers database systems – information systems managers, analysts, designers, programmers and IT practitioners who need skills in state-of-the-art relational database technology. You will explore database technology, its principles, benefits, techniques and practical applications. You’ll also learn how relational concepts are used in database systems, and how to use the language SQL. The course includes a copy of MySQL for the practical work using SQL. You may, however, also study the course using IBM DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, or Sybase SQL Anywhere but you will need to supply the software yourself.

Register for the course

This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.

What you will study

Many people now use databases as part of their everyday work, for example for recording data about business transactions, or for retrieving data to help in management decisions. Databases can range in size from those small enough to be stored on your PC to those that require the largest computers. With various kinds of facilities giving easy access to databases, there are increasing dangers that these facilities are misused by recording or retrieving incorrect data. The only way to avoid the danger is to have a proper understanding of the principles of how databases are designed, built and used. By studying this course you will be able to gain that understanding, based on the theory and practice of widely used relational database systems.

In a readable and non-mathematical way, the course enables you to discover what is important about the theory for the practical business of using relational technology. You will learn what is involved in developing and using relational databases with today’s relational products, how to use the SQL language to create and manipulate databases, and what to expect from software suppliers in the future.

The general aim of the course is to acquaint you with database technology. The ideas are introduced in a realistic setting, and worked examples and exercises enable you to put the skills you acquire into practice.

Four main subject areas are covered:

Information systems In this section you will learn about the aims and objectives of database technology, relating it to general models of database management systems and to the software development life cycle. The principles and concepts are illustrated by a simple application system that exploits relational technology. By the end of this section, you will be able to read and interpret entity–attribute–relationship conceptual data models.

Relational theory explains the components of the relational data model. You will learn to design a simple relational database from a given conceptual data model, and put the ideas into practice by using specially developed software that allows you to use relational algebra to answer simple queries against relational databases.

Using SQL SQL is an industry-standard language that is supported by almost every relational database management system on the market. This section explains how to use SQL to retrieve data from a relational database, create, modify, and remove base tables, create, modify and remove views, and update a relational database. You learn this by using the SQL database management system and the sample databases supplied as part of the course.

In Development of database systems you will learn about alternative approaches and appropriate techniques for developing and using databases. At the end of the course you will carry out a practical database development activity.

Entry

There are no entry requirements, but we do assume that you have already studied to HNC/HND level or have equivalent experience from your employment, and that you are familiar with the use of computers, particularly the construction of programs, and the use of files and operating systems. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.

If you would like more information about the Postgraduate Computing programme as a whole, you can visit the programme website. This site includes additional information about the programme, details of new courses and qualifications that are being planned, some samples of study materials, FAQs and links to descriptions of current courses and related qualifications.

You do need to have a reasonable standard of spoken and written English to study successfully with us. Poor language skills will make study more difficult, and it will take longer. The normal requirements for English language skills are explained on our website.

If you have any doubts about whether your level of English is good enough for you to study this course you may find it helpful to look at our Skills for OU Study site.

Discount for Open University Graduates

If you are a graduate of The Open University (holding either an undergraduate or masters degree), you are eligible for a discount of £100 towards the cost of this course. You can claim this discount when you register, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service. 

Qualifications

M876 is an optional module in our:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Computing (C69)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Management (C49)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Computing for Commerce and Industry (C02)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Information Systems (E10)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Management of Software Projects (E19)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Software Development (D69)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Technology Management (E08)
• MSc in Computing for Commerce and Industry (F05)
• MSc in Information Systems (F37)
• MSc in Management of Software Projects (F43)
• MSc in Software Development (F26)
• MSc in Technology Management (F36)

Some postgraduate qualifications allow study to be chosen from other subject areas. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this module can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.

Excluded combinations

Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content.  To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.

If you have a disability

Some work with diagrams is necessary. You will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer.

Study materials

What's included

Course books, CD-ROM, website, optional online forums.

You will need

Access to the internet is essential, since some study materials are available only on the M876 website. You also need to use the internet to submit your assignments to your tutor. It will also enable you to take place in optional online forums and to use the website.

Computing requirements

You will need a computer with internet access to study this course. It includes online activities – you can access using a web browser – and some course software provided on disk.

• If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer running Windows since 2007 you should have no problems completing the computer-based activities.
• A netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device is not suitable for this course – check our Technical requirements section.
• If you have an Apple Mac or Linux computer – please note that you can only use it for this course by running Windows on it using Boot Camp or a similar dual-boot system.

You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You will have a tutor who will be responsible for monitoring your progress on the course, marking and commenting on your written work and whom you can contact for advice and guidance. There is usually a lively student online forum. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.

Assessment

The assessment details can be found in the facts box above.

You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.

Professional recognition

BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT offers exemption from some of its membership requirements for holders of an appropriate MSc in Computing from The Open University. M876 can form part of such an MSc. You can download our Recognition leaflet 3.7 Computing or ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for a copy. BCS regulations are on their website.

Future availability

The details given here are for the course that starts in November 2013. We expect it to be available once more, in 2014.

How to register

To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.

Student Reviews

Distance learning

The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.

For more information about distance learning at the OU read Study explained.

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