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Monash University

FIT5168 Semi-structured data management - Semester 1, 2014

This unit investigates the management of semi-structured data. The unit explores the modelling of semi-structured data in XML using XML Schema and the transformation of such data using XSLT. It looks at methods for storing, querying and updating semi-structured data in both native-XML and object-relational database management systems and the design issues involved.

Mode of Delivery

Caulfield (Evening)

Workload Requirements

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:

  • Two hours of lectures
  • One 2-hour laboratory

(b.) Additional requirements (all students):

  • A minimum of 8 hours independent study per week for completing lab and project work, private study and revision.

Unit Relationships

Prerequisites

Recommended knowledge: Knowledge of relational database.

Chief Examiner

Campus Lecturer

Caulfield

Viranga Ratnaike

Tutors

Caulfield

To be announced

Your feedback to Us

Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through the Student Evaluation of Teaching and Units (SETU) survey. The University’s student evaluation policy requires that every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.

For more information on Monash’s educational strategy, see:

www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/ and on student evaluations, see: www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html

Previous Student Evaluations of this Unit

Based on previous student feedback this unit is well structured and no changes have been made for this semester.

If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp

Academic Overview

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit students will:
  • understand the differences between structured and semi-structured data;
  • know how to manage data that is not be appropriately modelled by the relational model;
  • be able to design data repositories for XML documents;
  • be able to apply appropriate technology to manage and transform XML data;
  • be able to use current DBMS to store, retrieve and update non-relational data;
  • appreciate strengths and weaknesses of object-relational and native XML DBMS for handling XML.

Unit Schedule

Week Activities Assessment
0   No formal assessment or activities are undertaken during week 0
1 Data and Metadata  
2 Data Modelling and Document Types  
3 XML Path Expressions using XPath  
4 Transforming XML with XSLT  
5 Advanced XSLT  
6 Document Engineering and XML Namespaces  
7 XML Schema Assignment 1: Designing XSLT transformations due Thursday 17 April 2014
8 Advanced XML Schema  
9 Querying XML  
10 Storing, Querying, and Updating XML in Databases  
11 Metadata Standards  
12 Guest Lecture Assignment 2: Designing or modifying document types due Friday 30 May 2014
  SWOT VAC No formal assessment is undertaken in SWOT VAC
  Examination period LINK to Assessment Policy: http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/
academic/education/assessment/
assessment-in-coursework-policy.html

*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your learning system.

Teaching Approach

Lecture and tutorials or problem classes
The teaching of this unit will consist of lectures, tutorials, self-study and group work. The main concepts of the unit will be delivered during lectures. Practical exercises on the concepts will be carried out during tutorials. It is expected that students will attempt the tutorial exercises prior to attending the tutorial classes. The tutorial classes will be used to discuss problems encountered while completing the exercises or to discuss important issues that students may need to be aware of in completing the exercises.

Although tutorials are not compulsory, it is the student's responsibility to attend and participate in tutorial discussion as tutorials are the preferred venue for clarification and queries on the topics. Unless students have good reasons to miss tutorial classes no consultation outside tutorial classes will be provided in regards to the tutorial exercises and discussion.

Assessment Summary

Examination (2 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

Assessment Task Value Due Date
Designing XSLT transformations 20% Thursday 17 April 2014
Designing or modifying document types 20% Friday 30 May 2014
Examination 1 60% To be advised

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Policy

Assessment Tasks

Participation

  • Assessment task 1
    Title:
    Designing XSLT transformations
    Description:
    This assessment aims to evaluate the students' abilities in using transformation languages to access and manipulate data from an XML repository. The assessment tasks will include the design of several XSLT transformations.
    Weighting:
    20%
    Criteria for assessment:

    This assessment aims to evaluate the students' abilities in using transformation languages to access and manipulate data from an XML repository.

    This is a group assignment. A group consists of 2 students. Each member of the group will be assigned the same mark. The mark will be based on the submitted assignment. For instances of group discord, the lecturer reserves the right to interview group members either collectively or individually.

    Due date:
    Thursday 17 April 2014
  • Assessment task 2
    Title:
    Designing or modifying document types
    Description:
    This assessment aims to evaluate the students' ability to design new document types, possibly as an extension of an existing document type. Any existing document types will be provided in the assignment specification.

    This is a group assignment. A group consists of 2 students. Each member of the group will be assigned the same mark. The mark will be based on the submitted assignment. In a circumstance of group discord, the lecturer reserves the right to interview group members either collectively or individually.
    Weighting:
    20%
    Criteria for assessment:

    There will be document type and essay components.  

    The essay component should discuss the issues considered as well the design choices made.

    This is a group assignment. A group consists of 2 students. Each member of the group will be assigned the same mark. The mark will be based on the submitted assignment. For instances of group discord, the lecturer reserves the right to interview group members either collectively or individually.

    Due date:
    Friday 30 May 2014

Examinations

  • Examination 1
    Weighting:
    60%
    Length:
    2 hours
    Type (open/closed book):
    Closed book
    Electronic devices allowed in the exam:
    None
    Remarks:
    Quick reference guide on XML Schema and XSLT will be provided as part of the exam booklet.

Learning resources

Reading list

The recommended readings of this unit will be provided weekly through Moodle.

Monash Library Unit Reading List (if applicable to the unit)
http://readinglists.lib.monash.edu/index.html

Faculty of Information Technology Style Guide

Feedback to you

Examination/other end-of-semester assessment feedback may take the form of feedback classes, provision of sample answers or other group feedback after official results have been published. Please check with your lecturer on the feedback provided and take advantage of this prior to requesting individual consultations with staff. If your unit has an examination, you may request to view your examination script booklet, see http://intranet.monash.edu.au/infotech/resources/students/procedures/request-to-view-exam-scripts.html

Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:

  • Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
  • Graded assignments with comments

Extensions and penalties

Returning assignments

Assignment submission

It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/student-academic-integrity-managing-plagiarism-collusion-procedures.html) for students to submit an assignment coversheet for each assessment item. Faculty Assignment coversheets can be found at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/. Please check with your Lecturer on the submission method for your assignment coversheet (e.g. attach a file to the online assignment submission, hand-in a hard copy, or use an online quiz). Please note that it is your responsibility to retain copies of your assessments.

Online submission

If Electronic Submission has been approved for your unit, please submit your work via the learning system for this unit, which you can access via links in the my.monash portal.

Other Information

Policies

Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might uphold them. You can find Monash’s Education Policies at: www.policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html

Key educational policies include:

Faculty resources and policies

Important student resources including Faculty policies are located at http://intranet.monash.edu.au/infotech/resources/students/

Graduate Attributes Policy

Student Charter

Student services

Monash University Library

Disability Liaison Unit

Students who have a disability or medical condition are welcome to contact the Disability Liaison Unit to discuss academic support services. Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) visit all Victorian campuses on a regular basis.

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