Course Outline

ICT211 Database Design

Course Coordinator:Judith Watson (jwatson@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering

2026Trimester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

UniSC Adelaide

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course introduces you to the major concepts, methodologies, tools and techniques that are required to analyse, design, and develop well-structured databases for modern organisations. Data modelling using entity-relationship diagrams is taught and applied. You will then use a DBMS to gain an appreciation of the concepts and practical application of database management systems. SQL is covered to complete the cycle of professional practice.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Pre-recorded concept videos and associated activity 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – In-class tutorial 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Seminar – On campus Seminar 1hr Week 2 3 times
Online
Learning materials – Pre-recorded concept videos and associated activity 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Interactive zoom tutorial 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Seminar – Online seminar 1hr Week 2 3 times

Course Topics

Introduction to databases and database modelling
Entity Relationship Modelling - concepts and application
Relational Schema methodology
Normalisation
Introduction to SQL and translating Relational Schema to SQL
SQL – DDL
SQL – DML
SQL – Joins, Views & Transactions
SQL Stored Procedures – Procedures and functions
SQL Stored Procedures – Triggers & Cursors
Distributed databases
Client/server systems

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Creation of systems. Creative and critical thinker
2 Apply initiative to solving problems competently in the discipline. Empowered
3 Apply communication skills to specific problems. Engaged
4 Apply discipline specific knowledge and skills to problems. Knowledgeable
5 Understand sustainability issues within the discipline. Sustainability-focussed

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Formative feedback provided in weekly workshop exercises and in class discussions.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Case Study Individual 35%
1000 words equivalent
Week 6 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece Individual 30%
1000 Words
Week 10 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Examination - not Centrally Scheduled Individual 35%
2 hours
Week 12 Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Database design case
Goal:
Evaluate and solve a business data problem.
Product: Case Study
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Report submitted via Canvas. More details to be provided via Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Application of Relational Database modelling knowledge and understanding
2
2
Correctness of output in relation to the provided case study
4
3
Design of a functional relational database
1
Generic Skills:
All - Assessment Task 2:Database Creation
Goal:
Demonstrate ability to create and manipulate a database using SQL.
Product: Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
This is an individual assessment with scaffolded submissions - including during tutorial task submission.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Development of a functional relational database
1 2
2
Correct application and use of syntax in relation to the provided case study
4 5
3
Appropriate documentation and comments within code and other relevant requirements
3
Generic Skills:
All - Assessment Task 3:Database Exam
Goal:
Demonstrate course content understanding.
Product: Examination - not Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format:
This is an individual exam held during your Week 12 tutorial class. See Canvas for more detailed information about this assessment.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Understanding and application of relational database system design and problem solving
4
Generic Skills:

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Carlos Coronel,Steven Morris 2018 Database Systems: Design, Implementation, & Management 13th ed Cengage Learning

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: