Call for MSc Thesis: Database-Management-Systems

The Institute of Structural Design-Sustainable Construction is looking for a Master's student from the fields of Data Science, Computer Science or Software Development for a Master's thesis on the topic of database management systems.

The thesis deals specifically with the institute's own program LCAlyse and will be supervised by Alexander Passer (ITE-NHB) and Dominik Kowald (HCC). The work will start in the summer semester 2025.

Tasks:

1. Setting up a relational database for saving, loading and editing building inventories

  • Preferred DBMS: PostgreSQL
  • Design a schema for storing different data (Components, materials, general information, etc.)

2. Manage background databases for Life Cycle Assessments (LCA)

  • Create tables for environmental impact factors with links to different datasets (ÖKOBAUDAT, ecoinvent, etc.)
  • Organize data for different life cycle stages and scenarios (production, transportation, usage, disposal, etc.)
  • Design the database for future scalability, ensuring it’s easy to update and expand as new LCA data sources or models are added

3. Saving calculation results with reference to the respective building inventories

  •  Implement a system for storing different building related results linked to respective inventory (e.g., energy use, GWP, etc.)
  • Provide a method to edit and update results if necessary
  • Provide functionality to save results as benchmark values for future comparisons or new calculations

4. Set up communication with the institute's various Python tools

  • Set up API endpoints and/or database queries to allow easy integration with python-based tools
  •  Ensure standardized data input/output formats for implementation

5.   Set up live communication with a web dashboard

  • Set up a WebSocket or REST API communication between the database and a web-dashboard
  • Consider scalability and security measures (e.g., user authentication, data encryption) to handle live data requests safely and efficiently


We look forward to receiving applications at office.nhb@tugraz.at