Postgraduate Course: Advanced Spatial Database Methods (PGGE11083)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
http://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/ |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course builds on the theory and techniques taught in the Spatial Modelling course, with the aim of extending and deepening appreciation of formal database management. The course begins by looking further at relational database management systems, considering a means of assessing the 'relational-ness' of such systems, together with SQL particularly in the context of standardisation efforts. The course continues by examining Object-Oriented and Object-Relational approaches, together with issues important to GIS such as hybrid vs. integrated data models and the long transaction. The course extends student's knowledge of commercial data models, reviewing their advantages and disadvantages, together with looking at case studies of database management in the commercial GIS environment. Practicals extend the student=s knowledge of standard SQL, examine Oracle Spatial in detail and introduce MySQL and its spatial extension. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Spatial Modelling (PGGE11092)
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | none |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module, students should have achieved and demonstrated, or be able to achieve and demonstrate, the ability to:
-understand the database methods used to store spatial and attribute data in the context of geographical information systems
-appreciate the historical development of these systems
-implement a data model and understand the methods of normalisation
-understand the concept of database management in the corporate environment and its implications
-critically review the available technologies, assessing their merits and shortcomings
-compare and contrast database management systems and their use within GIS
-predict future developments and understand the implications of standardisation efforts
-use Structured Query Language (SQL) for both the manipulation and definition of objects within a relational database management system
-extended use of the Oracle relational database management system through SQL*Plus, SQL*Loader and SQL*Forms
-store and interrogate spatial data within Oracle and the use of Oracle Spatial
-locate, read and summarise relevant literature, from both traditional and electronic media, to extend your understanding of the topic
-develop reasoned arguments, firmly grounded in the available literature
-plan and write assignments, within the specified parameters and to a professional standard
-take responsibility for your own learning through reading and the preparation of assignments, and reflect upon your learning experience |
Assessment Information
Group Project Proposal 5% due week 2
Assessed Practical 40% due week 3
Written Submission 20% due week 6
Seminar / Demonstration 35% due week 6 |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Week 1
Understanding Database Management Theory
Practical: SQL 1
Week 2
Beyond Relational Database Management Systems
Practical: SQL 2
Week 3
Combining Spatial and Non-Spatial: Integrated Data Models and Oracle Spatial
Practical: Oracle Spatial
Week 4
Topology in Spatial Data Models and Spatial Databases
Practical / Demonstration: DB Designer and Oracle Forms
Week 5
Alternative Spatial Extensions and Case Studies
Practical / Demonstration: Comparing DBMS
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| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Reading List (selected references)
- Date, C.J. (1995) An Introduction to Database Systems (7th edition) Addison-Wesley
- Egenhofer, M.J. (1992) Why not SQL! International Journal of Geographical Information Systems, 6 (2), 71-86
- Kothuri, R.V., A. Godfrind and E.Beinat (2007) Pro Oracle Spatial for 11g, Apress
- Lake, R., D. Burggraf, M. Trninic and L. Rae (2004) Geography Mark-Up Language: Foundation for the Geo-Web, John Wiley & Sons
- Rigaux, P., Scholl, M. and Voisard, A. (2002) Spatial Databases with Application to GIS. Morgan Kaufmann
- Wachowicz, Monica (1999) Object-oriented design for temporal GIS. Taylor & Francis, London
- Worboys, M.F. and Duckham, M. (2004) GIS: A Computing Perspective. CRC Press, Second Edition
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| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | PGGE11083 , Database management, Oracle Spatial, SQL, data models |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr Bruce Gittings
Tel: (0131 6)50 2558
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Susan Orr
Tel: (0131 6)50 2543
Email: |
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