Unit rationale, description and aim
Databases have become an essential technology for the organisations to record, process and manipulate data and information efficiently, and preserving data quality and security. This unit will provide students with foundational knowledge and practical skills in database design and implementation. The unit further develops students’ skills in identifying and modelling organisational information requirements, designing conceptual data models and verifying their structural characteristics with normalisation techniques and selecting the database technologies to address organisational needs.
In this unit, students will explore both relational and non-relational data storage and toolsets, and learn to implement and use relational database technologies and Structured Query Language (SQL) in the cloud using Microsoft Azure. In addition, the unit introduces database administration activities and ethical consideration in handling organisational data. This unit is designed in alignment with Microsoft’s curriculum and provides a pathway to the DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals certification.
The aim of this unit is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to select, design, implement and administer large-scale database solutions to address data and information management needs of organisations while preserving data privacy and security to support dignity of humans served by the organisation.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Describe core data concepts, how to work with rela...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply information requirements specification proce...
Learning Outcome 02
Develop and implement a database solution using mo...
Learning Outcome 03
Select appropriate database tools to ensure data s...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Introduction to databases and database concepts
- Data types and unstructured/structured data
- Relational databases
- Non-Relational databases
- Conceptual and logical data models
- Database Normalisation
- Programming Databases with Structured Query Language (SQL)
- Cloud-based databases
- Database selection
- Database Administration
- Modern data warehouses analytics
- Database security
- Professional and ethical issues in data management and its impact on human dignity
Assessment strategy and rationale
To pass this unit, students are required to achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50%. The assessment strategy for this unit allows students to demonstrate a critical mindset in evaluating the impact of data and information management system and apply this knowledge to a variety of work situations. The first assessment provides students with an opportunity to apply database design and SQL through hands-on lab exercises. Assessment 2 allows students to demonstrate the depth of their knowledge and understanding of database technology concepts and tools through Microsoft Certification Exam. In assessment task 3, students will design a database for a given case study. It also requires developing queries to generate information and manipulate data. The assessment tasks for this unit are designed for students to demonstrate their achievement of each learning outcome.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1 : Practical Database Exercises ...
Assessment Task 1: Practical Database Exercises
This assessment consists of a series of weekly lab exercises including conceptual data modelling, D, physical database design using a RDBMS and data manipulation utilising SQL programming. This task requires students to demonstrate their theoretical knowledge and practical skills gained in the unit in the creation of a database and applying SQL programming.
The feedback from this assessment will help students to apply the database concepts in the next assessment.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Lab Practical Task
Artefact: ER Diagram + SQL code
25%
Assessment Task 2: Certification Exam This ass...
Assessment Task 2: Certification Exam
This assessment task requires student to undertake Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 Certification Exam.
The exam assesses students’ foundational knowledge of core data concepts and how they are implemented
using Microsoft Azure data services.
This exam reports on a scale of minimum 100 and maximin 1000 with a passing score of 700. The exam contains 53 questions and students have 60 minutes to complete it.
35%
Assessment Task 3 : Capstone Database Project T...
Assessment Task 3: Capstone Database Project
This assessment task consists of database logical and physical design activity as well as data manipulation and database evaluation/selection. This task requires students to demonstrate their theoretical knowledge and practical skills gained in the unit in database design and implementation, and utilising Azure SQL Database Management System and SQL programming.
Students are required to create SQL queries to manipulate data and generate information, and enhance the security of the database. In addition, it requires a report detailing actions performed to improve security and demonstration of the understanding how organisations use, manage and secure data in organisations to maintain human dignity.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Practical task + Report
Artefact: Database file+ SQL code+ Written report + Presentation
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Multimode
This unit will be delivered in multimode over a twelve-week semester or equivalent study period. Students will have access to all primary learning materials online through Canvas, along with formative and summative assessments, all of which will be available online, to provide a learning experience beyond the classroom. Students will be required to attend fortnightly two-hour lab sessions, and weekly two-hour workshops which will include specific tasks related to achievement of the unit learning outcomes. Workshops facilitate learning by doing, which is particularly effective for information technology units as technical skills can be better learned through hands on practices.
Students should anticipate undertaking 150 hours of study for this unit, including class attendance, readings, online forum participation and assessment preparation.
ACU Online
This unit uses an active learning approach to support students in the exploration of knowledge essential to the discipline. Students are provided with choice and variety in how they learn. Students are encouraged to contribute to asynchronous weekly discussions. Active learning opportunities provide students with opportunities to practice and apply their learning in situations similar to their future professions. Activities encourage students to bring their own examples to demonstrate understanding, application and engage constructively with their peers. Students receive regular and timely feedback on their learning, which includes information on their progress.