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Postgraduate

Relational database systems

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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.


Start End Fee Register
03 Nov 2012 Apr 2013 Not yet available

Registration closes 28/09/12 (places subject to availability)

Click to register
This course is expected to start for the last time in November 2013.

*Fees may vary by country.

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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.

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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. 

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Qualifications

M876 is an optional module in our:

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.

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If you have a disability or additional requirement

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

If you are a new student, or new to study using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting Your Needs.

You can also find information about accessible study materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.

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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

This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.

You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running Windows using Boot Camp or similar dual-boot system.

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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.

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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.

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Future availability

The details given here are for the course that starts in November 2012. We expect it to be available once more, in 2013.

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How to register

To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.

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Are you already an OU student ? Go to StudentHome for your personal prospectus information.

Course facts

A postgraduate course in Computing and ICT.

About this course:
Course code M876
Credits 15
OU Level Postgraduate
SCQF level 11
FHEQ level 7
Course work includes:
3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
Examination
No residential school

Study explained

Course
- a module of study that can count towards a qualification.
Credits
- show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit represents roughly 10 hours of study.
Financial support
- find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
Study explained
- all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.

Student Reviews

This course is a detailed and comprehensive introduction to databases. However, a serious word of caution for anyone who has ...
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M876 is an introductory course on relational database technology based on the now discontinued undergraduate database course M358. As of ...
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Though the course is badly in need of a re-write around some newer course software what it does do is ...
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As of November 2008, an updated M876 is supplied with new software for the practical work, MySQL. Students may, however, ...
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Your questions

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Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35

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