Unit rationale, description and aim
In the information age we live in, data is recognised as a vital asset for organisations. 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 you with foundational knowledge and practical skills in database design and implementations. The unit further develops your practical skills in identifying and modelling organisational information requirements; developing using conceptual data models and verifying its structural characteristics with normalisation techniques; implementing and utilising a database using Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) and Structured Query Language (SQL) to manipulate data and generate information. In addition, the unit introduces database administration activities and ethical consideration in handling organisational data.
The primary aim of this unit is to provide students with knowledge and practical skills needed to design, implement and administer database solutions to address real-world needs of organisations while preserving data privacy and security to support the 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 the fundamental concepts of data and info...
Learning Outcome 01
Discuss security, legal, ethical and quality issue...
Learning Outcome 02
Analyse real-world problems to identify data requi...
Learning Outcome 03
Apply SQL for creating database and manipulating d...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Database concepts/foundations
- Types of data and databases
- Data quality
- The relational database model
- Data modelling & Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD)
- Normalisation of database tables
- Database Management Systems
- Database application case studies
- Structured Query Language (SQL)
- Database security
- Legal and ethical issues in data management
Assessment strategy and rationale
To pass this unit, students are required to achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50%. Marking will be in accordance with a rubric specifically developed to measure the level of achievement of the learning outcomes for each item of assessment. Students will also be awarded a final grade which signifies their overall achievement in the unit.
The assessment strategy for this unit is based on the need to determine authentic student achievement of the learning outcomes. The first assessment provides students with an opportunity to apply database design and development through a series of hands-on exercises. In the second assessment, students apply relational data modelling techniques to develop a logical database desing for a given scenario/case. The third assessment requires students to convert the logical-level database design, created in assessment 2, to a physical-level database using a database management system software. It also requires developing queries to generate information and manipulate data. This assessment also requires students to demonstrate the Catholic Social Teaching principle of dignity of the human person: how organisations organise, use, manage and secure data in organisations to maintain the dignity, privacy and rights of a person.
To support students transitioning from the Diploma to second‑year undergraduate study, the unit uses targeted transition pedagogies that strengthen discipline foundations and essential study competencies through an active, engaging and supportive learning approach.
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1: Developmental Exercises This asses...
Assessment 1: Developmental Exercises
This assessment consists of a series of exercises and quizzes including identifying database concepts, conceptual database design using ER diagrams, database normalisation, using a RDBMS and basic SQL commands for data manipulation. 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.
The feedback from this assessment will help students to apply the database concepts in the next assessments.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Practical tasks
Artefact: ER diagram + database files
35%
Assessment 2: Conceptual Database Design This as...
Assessment 2: Conceptual Database Design
This assessment task requires students to develop a logical-level design of a database for a given case study and verify its structural characteristics with normalisation techniques. Students will have the opportunity to revise their conceptual database design to be further used as the basis for physical database design in the final assessment.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Case study
Artefact: ER Diagram
25%
Assessment 3: Database Implementation This asse...
Assessment 3: Database Implementation
This assessment task requires students to convert the logical-level database they have created in Assessment 2 to a physical-level database using a RDBMS and generate information and manipulate data, perform user account management, and enhance the security of the database. In addition, it requires a report detailing actions performed to improve security and demonstration of the understanding of Catholic Social Teaching principle of dignity of the human person: how organisations use, manage and secure data in organisations to maintain privacy and security.
To ensure academic integrity students are required to record a video presentation presenting their assignment work in class or through a recorded presentation.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Practical task
Artefact: Database file + live/speaker view webcam overlay Presentation + Online Viva
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit is delivered in different modes using an integrated learning and teaching strategy designed to ensure equivalent learning outcomes and a comparable learning experience for all students, while supporting diverse learning needs and maximising access.
Learning activities are intentionally aligned to the unit learning outcomes and assessment tasks, and are underpinned by active learning, guided engagement with disciplinary knowledge, opportunities for peer interaction, and regular, timely feedback. While the mode of delivery shapes how students participate, the pedagogical intent, expectations and standards remain consistent.
In Attendance mode, students engage in weekly face-to-face Workshops, supported by preparatory activities and opportunities for consolidation following classes. Online learning platforms are used to complement synchronous teaching through additional resources and learning activities.
In Online mode, students engage with the same core content and learning outcomes through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous activities, including structured discussions and applied learning tasks that support learning in professional contexts.
Students should anticipate undertaking 150 hours of study for this unit, including class attendance, readings, online forum participation, independent study and assessment preparation.
To support students transitioning from the Diploma to second‑year undergraduate study, the unit uses targeted transition pedagogies that strengthen discipline foundations and essential study competencies through an active, engaging and supportive learning approach.
Representative texts and references
Required text
Coronel, C. & Morris, S, (2022). Database systems, design and implementation and management (14th ed.). Cengage Learning, Boston, MA.
Required online resources
Azure Data Fundamentals: Explore core data concepts
Azure Data Fundamentals: Explore relational data in Azure
Azure Data Fundamentals: Explore non-relational data in Azure
Azure Data Fundamentals: Explore modern data warehouse analytics in Azure
Recommended references
Forta, B. (2022). SQL in 10 minutes, Sams teach yourself (5th ed.). Pearson Education.
Friedrichsen, L., Ruffalo, L., Monk, E., Starks, J.L., Pratt, P.J. & Last, M.Z. (2021). Concepts of database management 10th ed. Cengage Learning US.
Garcia-Molina, H., Ullman, J. D., & Widom, J. (2022). Database systems: The complete book (3rd ed.). Pearson.
Hernandez, M. (2020). Database design for mere mortals: A hands-on guide to relational database design (4th ed.). Addison-Wesley.
Jukic, N., Vrbsky, S. V., & Nestorov, B. (2021). Database systems: Introduction to databases and data warehouses (2nd ed.). Prospect Press.
Kroenke, D. M., Auer, D. J., Vandenberg, S. L., & Yoder, R. C. (2023). Database concepts (10th ed.). Pearson Education.
Murach, J. (2021). Murach's MySQL (3rd ed.). Mike Murach & Associates.
Ramakrishnan, R., & Gehrke, J. (2021). Database management systems (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Silbershatz, A., Korth, H., Sudarshan, S. (2019). Database System Concepts (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill. Education.