Course coordinator
Professor Zhifeng Bao
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Elec Engineering & Comp Science School
Information systems analysis, design and implementation, relational database technology, data modelling, data quering using SQL, building a small scale information system using a relational database management system.
This course provides the foundation concepts on designing and implementing information systems, necessary for advanced data management and data analysis courses taught in various Information Technology, Engineering, Business and Science programs. The course includes modules on data modelling, principles of correct database design, the SQL language for querying relational databases, and developing a small scale database application using MySQL.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Senior Math B or MATH1040. Basic set theory is useful. No computer programming experience is assumed.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
INFS1200 or BISM2207 or BISM3203 or BISM7206 or INFS7901
Course contact
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to introduce students to the foundation concepts onﾠdesigning and implementingﾠinformation systems, necessaryﾠfor advanced data managementﾠand data analysis courses taught later in various programs.ﾠThe course will prepare students to deploy small information system in MySQL
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Extract information systems requirements to create basic conceptual models
LO2.
Map basic conceptual data models to relational database schema
LO3.
Express natural language queries correctly using the SQL language
LO4.
Reason with the logical foundations of the relational data model and the fundamental principles of correct relational database design
LO5.
Explain key security concepts related to database control measures and SQL injection
LO6.
Construct a small-scale information system in a relational database management system
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Weekly RiPPLe activities
|
10% (Best 10 of 12) |
6/03/2026 4:00 pm 13/03/2026 4:00 pm 20/03/2026 4:00 pm 27/03/2026 4:00 pm 2/04/2026 4:00 pm 17/04/2026 4:00 pm 24/04/2026 4:00 pm 1/05/2026 4:00 pm 8/05/2026 4:00 pm 15/05/2026 4:00 pm 22/05/2026 4:00 pm 29/05/2026 4:00 pm
Due 4pm Friday from Week 2 to Week 13, except for Week 6 when it is due on Thursday 02/04/2026, at 4pm. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Tutorial/ Problem Set | Assignment 1 | 25% |
2/04/2026 5:00 pm
Note that the due date is Thursday 2 April, before the public holiday on Friday 3 April. |
| Computer Code |
Assignment 2 SQL Code Submission
|
25% |
8/05/2026 5:00 pm |
| Presentation |
Assignment 2 SQL Interview
|
Pass/fail |
20/05/2026
Oral assessment will be run during the Applied Class in Week 12 |
| Examination |
Final exam
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Weekly RiPPLe activities
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 10% (Best 10 of 12)
- Due date
6/03/2026 4:00 pm
13/03/2026 4:00 pm
20/03/2026 4:00 pm
27/03/2026 4:00 pm
2/04/2026 4:00 pm
17/04/2026 4:00 pm
24/04/2026 4:00 pm
1/05/2026 4:00 pm
8/05/2026 4:00 pm
15/05/2026 4:00 pm
22/05/2026 4:00 pm
29/05/2026 4:00 pm
Due 4pm Friday from Week 2 to Week 13, except for Week 6 when it is due on Thursday 02/04/2026, at 4pm.
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Twelve weekly assessment activities run through RiPPLe are designed to test information system analysis and design techniques. The assessable tasks will consist of a combination of learning resource creation, moderation and practice. Submissions will be due at the end of each teaching week beginning in Week 2 and ending Week 13. The best 10 of 12 submissions will be used to calculate a student's mark, with each worth 1% of the course mark. Detailed task specifications will be announced and placed on Blackboard at the required time.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The assessment will be submitted online via the RiPPLe platform. Detailed instructions will be provided on Blackboard in the task specification.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
To accommodate unforeseen circumstances such as illness, the best 10 of 12 submissions will contribute to the total RiPPLE mark, allowing for two missed submissions across the semester.
If you're unable to complete the required 10 activities due to exceptional circumstances, please contact the School at studentenquiries@eecs.uq.edu.au
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Because the results/answers are released soon after the due date, and only the best 10 of 12 will contribute to the mark for this assessment item, a 100% penalty will be applied to late submission.
This has been approved by the Associate Dean (Academic).
Assignment 1
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
2/04/2026 5:00 pm
Note that the due date is Thursday 2 April, before the public holiday on Friday 3 April.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
This assignment is designed to test information system analysis and design techniques as well as the information system development skills acquired in practical sessions. Assignment 1 focuses on ER models and the relational data model. Task specifications will be announced and placed on Blackboard at the required time. Please ensure that you download your copy as soon as possible on or after the date of issue. Students are advised to progressively submit versions of their assignments, and make backup copies, as internet connections and software can fail (or be lost) for many reasons and it happens quite frequently.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The assignment will be submitted online via Gradescope. Detailed instructions will be provided in the assignment description.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extensions are limited to 14 days as feedback will be provided within 21 days.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assignment 2 SQL Code Submission
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Computer Code
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
8/05/2026 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04, L06
Task description
The assignments are designed to test information system analysis and design techniques as well as the information system development skills acquired in practical sessions. Assignment 2 focuses on SQL and specifications will be announced and placed on Blackboard at the required time. Please ensure that you download your copy as soon as possible on or after the date of issue. Students are advised to progressively submit versions of their coding assignments, and make back-up copies, as internet connections and software can fail (or be lost) for many reasons and it happens quite frequently.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Hurdle requirements
Students must achieve a pass for the interview portion of Assignment 2 to be eligible to achieve more than 50% on Assignment 2.Submission guidelines
The assignment will be submitted online via Gradescope. Detailed instructions will be provided in the assignment sheet and via Blackboard announcements.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Extensions are not available for this assessment item as feedback is given to students very rapidly.
Assignment is auto marked and solutions and marked assessment will be released within 3 days of the due date to permit students to progress with follow-up interviews.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours (or part thereof) from the deadline (or your extended deadline, if applicable) for up to 3 days. After 3 days (72 hours), you will receive a mark of zero.
The modified late penalty applies as the assessment is auto marked and marked assessment will be released within 3 days of the due date to permit students to progress with follow up assignments.
This has been approved by the Associate Dean (Academic)
Assignment 2 SQL Interview
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- Pass/fail
- Due date
20/05/2026
Oral assessment will be run during the Applied Class in Week 12
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04, L06
Task description
Students are required to complete an Assignment 2 Interview for the SQL assessment item. In the interview, students will explain the code they submitted, and discuss their approach and why they used particular techniques. This will take place during Week 12, where students will demonstrate and explain their submitted SQL code. Students must achieve a pass for the interview portion of the Assignment 2 to be eligible to achieve more than 50% on Assignment 2.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. In accordance with UQ Assessment Policy, your presentation will be recorded.
The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Students must achieve a pass for the interview portion of the Assignment 2 to be eligible to achieve more than 50% on Assignment 2.Submission guidelines
The oral interview reviews the material submitted in Assignment 2. They will be conducted in applied sessions during Week 12. Detailed instructions will be provided in the assignment sheet and via Blackboard announcements.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extensions are limited to 7 days to ensure students can receive feedback with sufficient time to prepare for their final exam.
Students who are unable to attend their interview in their assigned session for a documented and justified reason will have one chance to reschedule. To apply for a reschedule, you need to apply for an extension via my.UQ.
Rescheduled interviews must be completed on or before Friday of Week 13. If the rescheduled session is missed the assessment will be marked as a fail.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Consistent with industry practice around presentations to clients/industry partners, no late submissions will be accepted and a 100% late penalty applies.
This has been approved by the Associate Dean (Academic)
Final exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Exams are designed to test theoretical concepts and modelling techniques introduced in lectures and applied classes. More information on exams will be provided on the assessment page of the course website at the appropriate time. Students will sit an on-campus invigilated exam.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
The final exam is a hurdle assessment task for the course. Students must receive a passing grade on the final exam in order to pass this course (i.e.ﾠachieve at least 50/100). If you fail the exam, your total mark will be capped at 49 and your final grade will be capped at 3. In addition, to achieve a grade of 3, students are required to achieve at least 40% on the final exam. Students who fail to meet this requirement will have their total mark capped at 47 and receive grade of at most 2.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | One A4 sheet double-sided of typed or handwritten notes |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Marks | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Total of at most 19%. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Total of at least 20%. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Total of at least 47%, and at least 40% in the final exam. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Total of at least 50%, and at least 50% in the final exam. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Total of at least 65%, and at least 50% in the final exam. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Total of at least 75%, and at least 50% in the final exam. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Total of at least 85%, and at least 50% in the final exam. |
Additional course grading information
Your total mark will be rounded to the nearest whole number before grades are computed. Total marks will not be rounded up.
Your total mark is the sum of all assessment item marks, subject to the final exam hurdles.
- The final exam is marked out of 100, so is weighted by 0.4 (i.e. 40%), while all other assessments use their given values.
- Note that the Assignment 2 mark depends on the marks earned for the code submission and the outcome of the interview: If the interview is passed, a student receives all marks earned for the code submission; while if the interview is failed, the student receives at most 50% of the available marks, or 12.5 marks.
- Students must receive a passing grade on the final exam in order to pass this course (i.e.ﾠachieve at least 50/100). If you fail the exam, your total mark will be capped at 49 and your final grade will be capped at 3. In addition, to achieve a grade of 3, students are required to achieve at least 40% on the final exam. Students who fail to meet this requirement will have their total mark capped at 47 and receive grade of at most 2.
The course coordinator reserves the right to moderate marks.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Students will obtain feedback before census date via their RiPPLE or a practice assignment that is due in week 3.
Having Troubles?
If you are having difficulties with any aspect of the course material you should seek help. Speak to the course teaching staff.
If external circumstances are affecting your ability to work on the course, you should seek help as soon as possible. The University and UQ Union have organisations and staff who are able to help, for example, UQ Student Services are able to help with study and exam skills, tertiary learning skills, writing skills, financial assistance, personal issues, and disability services (among other things).
Complaints and criticisms should be directed in the first instance to the course coordinator. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may bring the matter to the attention of the School of EECS Director of Teaching and Learning.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Lectures Lectures provide an introduction to various concepts and techniques in information systems analysis and the design of Database Management Systems (DBMS). Lecture notes and recordings will be available on Blackboard. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 13 |
Applied Class |
Applied classes Applied sessions provide opportunity to practice the techniques introduced in lectures and allow students to get hands-on experience developing and implementing small scale information systems using a relational DBMS and practicing SQL. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Problem-based learning |
RiPPLE personalised learning activities Students will be required to complete four RiPPLE rounds, which includes answering, generating and reviewing instructor and peer-generated questions. This work forms a progressive assessment task. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: