# Programs and Courses

**Source**: https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/course/COMP2400
**Parent**: https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/program/AACOM

- Code
  [COMP2400](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2026/course/COMP2400)
- Unit Value
  6 units

- Offered by
  School of Computing
- ANU College
  ANU College of Systems and Society
- Course subject
  Computer Science
- Areas of interest
  Information Technology, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Algorithms and Data

- Academic career
  UGRD
- Course convener
  - AsPr Patrik Haslum
  - Dr Miaomiao Liu
  - Dr Thang Bui
  - Mengxuan Zhang
- Mode of delivery
  In Person
- Co-taught Course
  - [COMP6240](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/course/COMP6240)
- Offered in

  First Semester 2026\

  Second Semester 2026\

  [See Future Offerings](#terms)
- STEM Course
- Graduate Attributes
  - Transdisciplinary

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Relational Databases ([COMP2400](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2026/course/COMP2400))

- [Introduction](#introduction)
- [Learning Outcomes](#learning-outcomes)
- [Indicative Assessment](#indicative-assessment)
- [Workload](#workload)
- [Requisite and Incompatibility](#incompatibility)
- [Prescribed Texts](#prescribed-texts)
- [Other Information](#other-information)
- [Fees](#fees)
- [Offerings and Dates](#terms)

This course is an introduction to relational databases and the general skills for designing and using them. Topics include the relational data model, SQL, data modelling tools such as the entity-relationship model, functional dependencies, and (de-)normalisation, query processing and optimisation, and potential social and economic impacts of database design, for instance through (in-)security. Current development of database systems based on models other than the relational (known asNoSQL databases) will be introduced at the end of the course.

## Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe the basic concepts of the relational model and its mathematical foundation.
2. Connect database design with social and economic impacts including security, ethics, and Australian Privacy Principles.
3. Use SQL to define, query and manipulate a relational database, and describe principles of SQL query processing and optimisation.
4. Use data modelling concepts and practices to create, evaluate and communicate relational database designs, collaboratively and individually.

## Other Information

More information may be available for enrolled students on the course website on Canvas

## Indicative Assessment

1. In-class activities and quizzes (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
2. Assignments (30) [LO 2,3,4]
3. Final Exam (60) [LO 1,2,3,4]

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the [ANU Online](http://services.anu.edu.au/information-technology/software-systems/turnitin) website.

## Workload

Lectures and laboratory sessions plus self study to a total of 130 hours.

## Requisite and Incompatibility

To enrol in this course you must have successfully completed:
[COMP1100](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2026/course/COMP1100) or [COMP1130](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2026/course/COMP1130) or [INFS1001](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2026/course/INFS1001) or [COMP1730](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2026/course/COMP1730)
You are not able to enrol in this course if you have successfully completed [COMP6240](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2026/course/COMP6240).

## Prescribed Texts

Fundamentals of Database Systems, R. Elmasri and S. Navathe, 7th Edition (Global Edition), Pearson, 2017 (recommended only, not prescribed).

## Fees

Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.

**Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students**\
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at **[Fees](https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/student-contributions)**. 

Student Contribution Band:
:   [2](https://students.anu.edu.au/fees/domestic/csp.php)

Unit value:
:   6 units

If you are a **domestic graduate coursework student** with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place**or international student** you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at **[Fees](http://students.anu.edu.au/fees/)**.

Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.

| Units | EFTSL |
| --- | --- |
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |

## Course fees

[Domestic](#indicative-fees__domestic)
[International](#indicative-fees__international)

Domestic fee paying students

| Year | Fee |
| --- | --- |
| 2026 | $5520 |

International fee paying students

| Year | Fee |
| --- | --- |
| 2026 | $7020 |

**Note:** Please note that fee information is for current year only.

\

## Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the [Timetable webpage](https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/timetabling).

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
\

Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.

[2026](#course-tab-1)

[2027](#course-tab-2)

### First Semester

| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 3701 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | [View](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/course/COMP2400/First%20Semester/3701) |

### Second Semester

| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 8679 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |

### First Semester

| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 5101 | 22 Feb 2027 | 01 Mar 2027 | 31 Mar 2027 | 28 May 2027 | In Person | N/A |

### Second Semester

| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 10104 | 26 Jul 2027 | 02 Aug 2027 | 31 Aug 2027 | 29 Oct 2027 | In Person | N/A |