Course Outline

ICT704 Databases

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

2026Trimester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

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

Modern day computer systems capture, store and manipulate very large amounts of data, which cannot be adequately stored in traditional relational databases. This course covers the different types of databases available, the type of data that is stored and manipulated by them and which database technology is best to suited to different real-world data problems.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Asynchronous learning material 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Synchronous on campus workshop 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Seminar – On campus seminar 1hr Week 2 2 times
Online
Learning materials – Asynchronous learning material 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Synchronous Zoom workshop 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Seminar – Online seminar 1hr Week 2 2 times

Course Topics

Database systems

Data modelling

SQL

Big data and NoSQL 

 

What level is this course?

700 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

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 Design and implement a database system in a real-world context. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
2 Reflect critically on the ethical and sustainability impact of appropriate data storage and manipulation. Ethical
Sustainability-focussed
3 Demonstrate mastery of the theory and practice of database systems. Knowledgeable
Engaged
4 Collaborate in a team to design and implement a non-relational database system in real-world data storage context Engaged

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

ICT701

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 on weekly tutorial exercises. Each week's task builds on skills which are used in all assessment pieces.

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 Examination - not Centrally Scheduled Individual 10%
1 hour
Week 4 Online Test (Quiz)
All 2 Examination - not Centrally Scheduled Individual 40%
1.5 hours
Week 8 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece Group 50%
1500 words plus code
Week 12 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Database Management Test
Goal:
To demonstrate mastery of core data management concepts, data services, and demonstrating proficiency in implementing and managing data solutions.
Product: Examination - not Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format:
A 1 hour online proctored exam held during your regular week 4 workshop
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Application of database design theory
3
2
Correct application of solutions to given scenarios
3
Generic Skills:
All - Assessment Task 2:Relational Database Exam
Goal:
To demonstrate the mastery the theory and practice of relational databases
Product: Examination - not Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Individual exam held during your regular week 8 workshop.  Submitted via Canvas
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Application of database skills
3
2
Insightful problem solving to identify correct solutions to given scenarios
3
Generic Skills:
All - Assessment Task 3:Non-Relational Database Group Project
Goal:
To collaboratively design and implement a non-relational database system that effectively addresses a real-world data storage and manipulation challenge, ensuring scalability, flexibility, and efficiency.
Product: Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
A functional database and comprehensive report analysing and providing solutions to the prescribed real-world situation. Additional documentation should include all relevant coding, group meeting minutes and contract. Further specifications will be provided on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Insightful analysis of the given problem
1
2
Completeness and accuracy of the design and implementation of the database system
3
3
Contribution to the team in the design and implementation of the system
4
4
Reflection on the ethical and sustainability impact of the database design choices made
2
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. MORRIS CORONEL (STEVEN. CROCKETT, KEELEY.) 0 DATABASE PRINCIPLES 3rd Edition Cengage

Specific requirements

You must have a computer (Desktop or Laptop) that you can install/access software applications on, in order to be able to practice the  skills outside lecture and workshop times.

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: