Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)

Module COMP51615: Semantic Web and Web Information Systems

Department: Computer Science

COMP51615: Semantic Web and Web Information Systems

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2012/13 Module Cap
Tied to

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • The module introduces students to principles of modern web-based information systems, covering issues such as representation and modelling, engineering of web information systems, and current technologies for building systems. The theoretical knowledge is supplemented and assessed by practical use of these technologies.

Content

  • Object-oriented and object-relational techniques
  • Semi-structured data, web data, metadata and modeling
  • XML, and XML schema, and XML query evaluation
  • Web information systems, resources and interoperability
  • Web semantics
  • Semantic Web design and principles, languages, and applications
  • Resource description framework language (RDF) and RDF Schema
  • Ontology, Web ontology, and OWL
  • Knowledge representation and reasoning on the web
  • Web Services, peer-to-peer resource sharing, smart web search, and Semantic Desktop

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • gain specialist knowledge of web semantics and semantic web design
  • develop an understanding of Semantic web engineering and practice: web knowledge management and web system development
Subject-specific Skills:
  • gain experience in integration of various techniques including Web data, XML data, Ontology, Logic representation
  • exercise practical design skills: data maintenance, Web databases, Web based information systems
Key Skills:
  • develop professional skills in the formative assignments, seminars and the web information system design case study.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The module comprises two weeks of lectures, directed reading and formative exercises; two weeks undertaking a major assignment. The overall workload conforms to the standard SLAT requirement of 150 hours equivalent to 15 credits.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 6 In first two weeks 2 hours 12
Tutorials 4 In second two weeks 2 hours 8
Preparation and Reading 130
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Laboratory report Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Coursework equivalent to 2500 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

Staged written feedback of practical work and/or formative exercises.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University