There are no formal requirements. It is expected that students are already familiar with Data Base notions provided in Data Base courses.
At the end of the course, the student possesses a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of systems for data integration and management. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the principles underlying the construction of systems for integrating data in autonomous and heterogeneous data sources and for efficiently managing huge amounts of data (Big Data).
The course is structured in two modules:
The first one (of 6 CFU) presents an overview of the research work carried out in the area of database theory and data integration, with emphasis on the theoretical aspects relevant to the development of information integration solutions. Special attention will be devoted to the architectures for data integration systems, modeling an information integration application, data exchange, query answering in data integration, and semantic technologies for data management.
The second module (of 3 CFU) focuses on technologies for managing data sets whose size exceeds the processing capacity of conventional database systems.
Teaching will be carried out through lectures introducing the course arguments, but with emphasis on discussion and direct dialogue with students, who will be allowed to formulate questions and proposals for further study during the lectures. Exercises will be carried out in the class both by the teacher and the students themselves.
The exam consists of a written test, typically structured in 4-6 questions and exercises that cover the entire course program. Furthermore, when required by the teacher, the exam could include an oral test to validate the results of the written test. Students will have the option to prepare an individual project.
If it will be necessary to hold the course remotely or in a mixed way, the syllabus could be modified in order to make the course and the exams suitable for these teaching methods.