Biomedical Data Bases.

Course aims: Introduction to concepts and principles of biomedical databases .At the end of the course students will be able to: store and query biomedical data, and will acquire basic knowledge of Biomedical Databases available on the web. In particular, students will be able to: - use the information retrieval systems - make a search in literature databases (PubMed) - make a search in molecular databases (Nucleotide and Protein DB) - provide a correct interpretation of results.
Course contents:  Databases and database users. Database system concepts and architecture. Data modelling using the Entity-Relationship (ER) model. The relational data model and relational database constraints. Relational algebra. Relational database design by ER-to-relational mapping. SQL. Functional dependencies and normalisation for relational databases. Practical database design and use of UML diagrams. Data mining and data retrieval in the most popular biomedical data bases based on practical problems.

Readings/Bibliography: on line.

Teaching methods: Lectures, practicum and lab activity.
Assessment methods: During the course several tests will be performed in order to assess the student advancements.  A final oral examination and a data base search are required.
Teaching tools: Video beam, PC, laboratory activity.

Teaching tools: Electronic slides and projector. Personal computer. Black board.