BR4009 - Data Fundamentals

At The Bridge you learn through a blended approach where short, focused and interactive face-to-face sessions are underpinned by guided and independent online learning. Your attendance for scheduled activities is monitored regardless of whether you are on campus or joining the session remotely. This ensures you access all of the learning opportunities which have been purposefully designed for your success.

A range of teaching and learning approaches are adopted to accelerate your learning in this module.

During the first week of this module, you will receive information about the module and Teaching & Learning Plan. The teaching and learning plan (TLP) sets out
• Learning outcomes and overall module and programme aims
• Teaching, learning and assessment strategy
• Teaching schedule
• Directed reading references (text and journals) and core texts for the module
• References to data sources and details of lab activities

You will also receive the assessment brief which sets out the formative and summative assessments throughout the module.

There are three key sources of academic support available to you during your time at the Bridge in addition to Ask4Help who are available 24/7 for general queries related to your studies.

Your Module Tutor
Your module tutor is responsible for your learning outcomes on the module. They deliver the workshops and provide guidance in relation to learning and assignments. They develop all of the key resources and make them available through the eLP (electronic learning portal module) Blackboard, which is used to provide support materials, interactive learning tasks and give you regular opportunities to test and get feedback on your learning. You will be given both written and verbal feedback and guidance on your work and progress during the semester by your module tutor.

Your Learning Mentor
On programme, you will have your in-person and online engagement activity tracked against the learning plan with key check-in points built into the academic calendar to ensure you maximise your learning potential. Engagement with formative assessments will also be used by the learning mentor to discuss any action planning required to ensure success.

Academic Skills Team
The Bridge aspires to build a range of student skillsets, including digital skills, academic writing and discourse, working alone and in teams. Your learning mentor may refer you a dedicated academic skills team which is based in the centre. Here you can attend drop-ins or schedule 1-1 sessions on issues which have been identified at the diagnostic stages of the programme however you may also have self-identified areas for your own growth and self-refer yourself for support.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
ML01: Understand the characteristics, strengths and limitations of current database systems
ML02: Demonstrate knowledge of information security issues and an awareness of tools and techniques used in implementing information security

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
ML03: Specify, design, implement and evaluate database solutions using appropriate tools
ML04: Analyse and solve problems via data manipulation and information retrieval operations

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
ML05: Describe the ethical, legal and security related issues concerning the implementation and administration of databases and their management systems

You will receive formative feedback throughout the module including at the following checkpoints:-

•Week 2: Navigating the course materials
•Week 4: Completing the in-module reflective tasks
•Week 6: Completing the in-module knowledge checks and tasks

The first element of summative assessment (50%) will be a written report that demonstrates your understanding of ethical, legal and security related issues concerning data and databases. The word limit will be 1500 words. This assessment addresses module learning outcomes MLO2 and MLO5.

The second element of summative assessment (50%) will be a practical assessment that demonstrates your knowledge and skills relating to key data concepts, analysis, and techniques. This assessment addresses module learning outcomes MLO1, MLO3 and MLO4.

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This module focuses on core data concepts, and the design and use of database systems. Topics include database systems architecture, data modelling and design, query languages, data preparation and cleansing, and security, legal and ethical issues concerning the use of databases in society.

You will work through practical exercises in a lab environment and engage with research outputs supporting research-rich learning.

Indeed employers are looking for graduates with skills in analysing data and applying effective solutions to problems. This module can prepare you for a data career and provide with the data analysis skills much sought-after by employers.