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Learning Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will:

  • have knowledge of the theories and principles of data warehousing;
  • understand the potential benefits of data warehousing;
  • understand the techniques and tools used to design a data warehouse;
  • understand the theories and principles of data warehousing with regard to the practice of decision support;
  • be able to design multi-dimensional data structures;
  • appreciate how to interact effectively with managers, consultants and vendors in the development of a data warehouse.

Graduate Attributes

Monash prepares its graduates to be:
  1. responsible and effective global citizens who:
    1. engage in an internationalised world
    2. exhibit cross-cultural competence
    3. demonstrate ethical values
  2. critical and creative scholars who:
    1. produce innovative solutions to problems
    2. apply research skills to a range of challenges
    3. communicate perceptively and effectively

    Assessment Summary

    Examination (2 hours): 50%; In-semester assessment: 50%

    Assessment Task Value Due Date
    Assignment One: Data Warehouse Design 20% Week 8
    Assignment Two: Research Essay 30% Week 11
    Examination 1 50% To be advised

    Teaching Approach

    This teaching and learning approach provides facilitated learning, practical exploration and peer learning.

    Feedback

    Our feedback to You

    Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:
    • Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
    • Graded assignments with comments
    • Other: Online discussion forums with comments

    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 SETU, Student Evaluation of Teacher and Unit. 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, and on student evaluations, see:
    http://www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/directions.html
    http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html

    Previous Student Evaluations of this unit

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

    Required Resources

    While no software is necessarily required, we will be making use of Microsoft SQL Server and Pentaho in the laboratories.  You will also find that a copy of Microsoft Office and Microsoft Visio will be of use during assignments.  All of this software is installed by default in the student laboratories, but copies can be borrowed and installed on your personal computer through the Faculty of IT Helpdesk (Level 6, Building H, Caulfield Campus).

    Unit Schedule

    Week Date* Activities Assessment
    0 21/02/11   No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0
    1 28/02/11 Introduction to the unit and data warehouse concepts  
    2 07/03/11 Data Warehousing as a process  
    3 14/03/11 Data Warehouse Design 1 - Dimensional Modelling  
    4 21/03/11 Data Warehouse Design 2 - Dimensional Modelling Continued  
    5 28/03/11 Physical Design  
    6 04/04/11 Data Warehousing Architectures  
    7 11/04/11 Methodologies and Data Mining  
    8 18/04/11 Organisational Issues and Cases Assignment 1 Due
    Mid semester break
    9 02/05/11 Data quality and metadata management  
    10 09/05/11 Data warehouse technology decisions  
    11 16/05/11 Data Warehouse Governance Assignment 2 Due
    12 23/05/11 Review and Conclusion  
      30/05/11 SWOT VAC No formal assessment is undertaken in SWOT VAC

    *Please note that these dates may only apply to Australian campuses of Monash University. Off-shore students need to check the dates with their unit leader.

    Assessment Policy

    To pass a unit which includes an examination as part of the assessment a student must obtain:

    • 40% or more in the unit's examination, and
    • 40% or more in the unit's total non-examination assessment, and
    • an overall unit mark of 50% or more.

    If a student does not achieve 40% or more in the unit examination or the unit non-examination total assessment, and the total mark for the unit is greater than 50% then a mark of no greater than 49-N will be recorded for the unit

    Assessment Tasks

    Participation

    • Assessment task 1
      Title:
      Assignment One: Data Warehouse Design
      Description:
      Using the multi-dimensional modelling technique, a logical design and requirements specification for a data warehouse will be produced by students for a given case study.
      Weighting:
      20%
      Criteria for assessment:

      Assignment one will be assessed according to the following criteria:

      1. Correctness of schema notation;
      2. Quality of schema design in regards to elegance and support for all business requirements, and quality of justification of the design;
      3. Quality of sample reports demonstrating user requirement;
      4. Quality and professionalism of presentation, including layout, structure and grammar.
      Due date:
      Week 8
    • Assessment task 2
      Title:
      Assignment Two: Research Essay
      Description:
      A 3000 word essay on a data warehousing issue or topic.
      Weighting:
      30%
      Criteria for assessment:

      The essay will be assessed according to the following criteria:

      1. Logical structure
      2. Critical analysis and understanding of the topic
      3. Literature utilised, including range, relevance and number
      4. Conclusions drawn
      5. Quality of writing, including expression, presentation and citation technique.
      Due date:
      Week 11

    Examinations

    • Examination 1
      Weighting:
      50%
      Length:
      2 hours
      Type (open/closed book):
      Closed book
      Electronic devices allowed in the exam:
      None

    Assignment submission

    Assignment coversheets are available via "Student Forms" on the Faculty website: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/
    You MUST submit a completed coversheet with all assignments, ensuring that the plagiarism declaration section is signed.

    Extensions and penalties

    Returning assignments

    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:
    http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html

    Key educational policies include:

    Student services

    The University provides many different kinds of support services for you. Contact your tutor if you need advice and see the range of services available at www.monash.edu.au/students The Monash University Library provides a range of services and resources that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. 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

    There is no required text for you to purchase.  Instead, regular weekly readings will be posted to Moodle which students are expected to read.  However, if you wish to purchase a textbook to assist your study, either of the following texts will be useful, especially in the first half of the semester. Current editions can be purchased new, but there are many second hand copies available at various bookshops in Melbourne.

    •  Kimball , R., Reeves, L., Ross, M., & Thornthwaite, W. (1998 - or later editions) The Data Warehouse Lifecycle Toolkit. John Wiley & Sons

    or

    • Kimball, R. & Ross, M. (2002). The Data Warehouse Toolkit : The Complete Guide to Dimensional Modelling (2nd Ed). John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 047120024-7
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