Assessment #1 – Advanced Databases: NORTHERNTOURS Database Design and Implementation
This assessment for the Advanced Databases module (KL7011) focuses on the analysis, design and implementation of a database system based on the NORTHERNTOURS scenario, a fictitious transport company operating a fleet of luxury coaches across cities, towns and tourist locations in Northern England. The assessment requires students to demonstrate advanced database knowledge through conceptual modelling, logical database design, SQL implementation, data manipulation and the evaluation of alternative database technologies. The assessment addresses learning outcomes relating to the data life cycle, advanced data modelling and database design, as well as professional, legal, ethical, security, sustainability and risk considerations. The first part requires students to develop a conceptual database design for NORTHERNTOURS using Entity-Relationship (ER) or Enhanced Entity-Relationship (EER) modelling. The design should identify relevant entities, relationships, key attributes, primary keys and structural constraints. Students then convert the conceptual model into a logical relational schema using ER/EER-to-relational mapping, identify primary and foreign keys, ensure the relations satisfy Third Normal Form (3NF), select and justify a consistent naming convention, and produce a textual data dictionary containing relevant names, descriptions and constraints. The logical design is subsequently implemented using Oracle 11g, 12c or higher through appropriate SQL DDL statements and database constraints. The second part involves populating selected database relations with self-generated sample data and demonstrating database retrieval capabilities. Students must provide SQL DML statements, relational algebra expressions and SQL queries for specified NORTHERNTOURS business requirements. The solutions must be executed in a live Oracle environment and supported with appropriate output evidence. The third part extends the database analysis by considering object-relational and NoSQL database technologies. Students evaluate which aspects of the NORTHERNTOURS conceptual design could benefit from object-relational implementation, develop and populate a suitable object-relational subset, and demonstrate it through complex queries. They also analyse where NoSQL concepts could provide benefits and discuss design choices supported by representative NoSQL implementation code. Finally, students prepare a concise report for the NORTHERNTOURS managing director addressing sustainability, professional, legal, ethical and security issues, together with diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal and environmental considerations and commercial risk management. The report should use a critical review of relevant literature, systems, developments and standards and follow Harvard referencing conventions.
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