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Unit of study_

OLET1301: Managing and Analysing Data with SQL

Semester 1, 2020 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Data is the gold of the 21st century. Across all disciplines it is crucial to be able to effectively share and analyse large data collections. Managing data in spreadsheets however only works for small data sets and easily ends in 'Excel Hell'. This OLE introduces databases for scientists and other non-IT disciplines, and will teach the SQL database query language with a focus on developing practical skills for data analysis. Database systems (for example SQL Server or MySQL) are widely used in industry and academia, and are essential for effective sharing of large data collections. The SQL language is a powerful tool for analysing big data without the need to programming. The OLE will be delivered using an interactive online tutorial platform with auto-grading support, and (for 2CP students) online guidance from a human tutor. It is complementary to other OLEs about data-focused computation and programming for data analysis.

Unit details and rules

Unit code OLET1301
Academic unit Computer Science
Credit points 2
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Farnaz Farid, farnaz.farid@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Sidath Randeni Kadupitige, sidath.randenikadupitige@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam hurdle task Exam
60% Formal exam period 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Skills-based evaluation SQL tasks
20% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Quiz 1
Filtering and Joins
10% Week 05 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Assignment Quiz 2
Data Analysis with Grouping
10% Week 09 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • SQL tasks: Students are required to complete weekly database query tasks with the SQL query language; the proportion of those questions solved is the first part of the progressive marks.
  • Quizzes: Students will be required to complete two quizzes based on SQL language. The SQL will be graded automatically by being run against several input datasets (only one of these datasets is visible to the student before submission).
  • Final exam: The final exam will be conducted online, with a collection of short coding and multiple-choice questions that test the combined use of the various language features covered during the unit. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

 

Minimum Pass Requirement

It is a policy of the School of Computer Science that in order to pass this unit with a final exam, a student must achieve at least 40% in the final examination. A student must also achieve an overall final mark of 50 or more. Any student not meeting these requirements may be given a maximum final mark of no more than 45 regardless of their average.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

All GrokLeaning tasks (weekly modules and assignments) have due dates which cannot be extended. Late work cannot be accepted, due to immediate release of sample solutions and marking inputs. If Special consideration is appropriate, mark adjustment will be applied, replacing the affected work by the tasks from the assessment set.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to SQL databases Individual study (3 hr) LO1
Week 02 Summarising data with SQL Individual study (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Transforming data with SQL Individual study (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Joins Individual study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Working with incomplete data Individual study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Creating own databases Individual study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Grouping data Individual study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Descriptive data analysis with SQL Individual study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Descriptive data analysis with SQL Individual study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 2 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 40-50 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Material will be at accessed on GrokLearning web-based platform, via UniKey login.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. create and modify data schemas
  • LO2. understand basic integrity constraints and NULL values
  • LO3. insert and update information in a database
  • LO4. query and analyse the data contained in a database.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The unit will use Ed instead of Canvas as discussion forum.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.