COM5013M Database Systems Component 1 Assignment Brief 2026 | York St John University

COM5013M- Database Systems - Assignment Brief

Module Details

Assignment Description

The assignment consists of following two parts:

Part 1 - Database Specification and Design 
Part 2 - Database System Development

Part 1: Database System Specification & Design

• Develop a database specification for the system you will design yourself. You can decide upon any system to develop, but you will need to consider the tables, forms and reports required to enable the system. The restrictions on the database design are that the system needs to be designed for implementation in MySQL, so you do not have a free hand to decide which database implementation you will use.

Your specification and design is required to cover all phases of the requirements, analysis and design of the database and in particular the three phases of the database design process, Conceptual, Logical and Physical. It should include UML diagrams (as necessary), E-R diagrams, a description of the normalisation process undertaken, transaction analysis and a data dictionary, this needs to be accompanied by a detailed
description of the process that you undertook and any major decisions that you made with justifications for these (it may include more than this).

Part 2: Database System Development

• You will need to implement your design, including all of the tables, indexes, queries, views(forms), reports, and associated features of the design. This needs to be a MySQL implementation on any server (i.e., XAMPP)
• The implementation should be accompanied by a written report that contains both a description of the process you undertook during the development of the application and a user manual.
  You are also required to hand in a video demonstration showing your system in operation on the server, showing the tables in MySQL on the server and it would be beneficial for you in this video to highlight the important features of your system.

Learning Outcomes

You must successfully achieve the following Learning Outcomes to pass this assessment:

• development of effective computer database systems and information applications; evaluate data models for database system development;
• critically analyse, design and develop a database system using modelling techniques;
• apply the fundamental principles of interface design to database systems;

Advice and Guidance

Below is a set of guidelines for what I consider what a good assignment would be. Read them very carefully.

Pay particular attention to the parts highlighted in bold.

Part 1 - Database Specification & Design

Part 2 – Database System Development

Advice and Guidance

inform module leader by emailing w.ahmad@yorks.ac.uk before the deadline so that the matter could be resolved.

A.I. Usage

You may use Generative Al tools for limited and specific purposes. Before you attempt to use Al tools, please visit Artificial Intelligence and your learning page for information on AI.

Permitted Al Use:

• Generating ideas or brainstorming
  Proofreading grammar and spelling Summarising API documentation
• Exploring different theoretical frameworks to consider for a strategic analysis, before conducting your own analysis
• Getting general feedback on the student's own work to identify areas for further independent development
  Generating templates for documentation

Not Permitted:

• Generating full paragraphs or answers
• Paraphrasing source material using Al
• Submitting Al-generated content as your own
• You are expected to demonstrate your own thinking, writing, and critical judgement in the final submission.

Disclosure of Al Use

You must include an Al Use Statement within the readme file that explains:

Example:

• Which tools you used
• How you used them
• "I used Grammarly to check grammar and punctuation. I used ChatGPT to brainstorm potential structure ideas for the introduction."

Academic Integrity

You are responsible for the academic honesty of your work. Misrepresentation or over- reliance on Al may reduce your grade or lead to disciplinary action. Failure to disclose Al use or any unauthorised use may be subject to investigation under the University's Code of Practice for Assessment Policy. Section 23 Academic Misconduct Policy.
If you are unsure what is allowed, please speak to your module leader Dr. Waseem Ahmad (w.ahmad@yorksj.ac.uk)

Important

When you use Gen Al tools to support your work, you are required to always save copies of the outputs that the Gen Al tool produces for you. You may be asked to provide this information as part of your assessment or in any academic misconduct process

How is this assessment marked?

Your work will be marked according to the assessment instructions provided within this document and the selected Learning Outcomes (LOS) (see above).

Furthermore, this assessment is marked using the assessment marking criteria or a similar rubric that aligns with the University's Generic Assessment Descriptors (see below). This is to ensure all assessment decisions are comparable regardless of the discipline or mode of assessment.

Please note, that you must meet the required baseline standards (40 - 499%) which will include the LOs and minimum expectations of the assessment. Further still, you must ensure you meet the requirements of each grade boundary to progress to the next i.e. you should demonstrate your learning through the standards of a 3rd, 2:2, and 2:1 to achieve a 2:1 (60-69%). These standards are designed to scaffold and build your learning to achieve your fullest potential in each criterion being assessed.