Hot Skills in Data Science, Applications, Project Leadership – Module 4

Unit 4 – Database Design and Development

Organisations depend on their databases for providing information that is essential for their day-to-day operations and to help them take advantage of today’s rapidly growing and maturing e-commerce opportunities. An understanding of database tools and technologies is an essential skill for designing and developing systems to support them. As applications get increasingly more sophisticated, database systems continue to demand more complex data structures and interfaces. Most organisations collect and store large volumes of data, either on their own systems or in the cloud, and this data is used not just for the operational running of their business but is also mined for other more intelligent and complex applications. Databases stand as the back-end of most systems used by organisations for their operations. Database design and development is a fundamental and highly beneficial skill for computing students to master, regardless of their specialism.

The aim of this unit is to give students opportunities to develop an understanding of the concepts and issues relating to database design and development. It will also provide the practical skills needed to be able to translate that understanding into the design and creation of complex databases.

Topics covered in this unit are: examination of different design tools and techniques; examination of different development software options; consideration of the development features of a fully-functional robust solution covering data integrity, data validation, data consistency, data security and advanced database querying facilities across multiple tables; appropriate user interfaces for databases and for other externally linked systems; creating complex reports/dashboards, testing the system against the user and system requirements; and elements of complete system documentation.

Pearson BTEC Levels 4 and 5 Higher Nationals in Computing for England Specification – Issue 3 – May 2023 © Pearson Education Limited 2023 109 On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to use appropriate tools to design and develop a relational database system for a substantial problem. They will be able to test the system to ensure that it meets user and system requirements, and fully document the system by providing technical and user documentation.

For practical purposes, this unit covers relational databases and related tools and techniques. A brief overview of object-oriented databases will also be covered. As a result, students will develop skills such as communication literacy, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning and interpretation, which are crucial for gaining employment and developing academic competence.

Unit 6 – Planning a Computer Project

This unit is assessed through a Pearson-set assignment. The project brief will be set by the centre, based on a theme provided by Pearson (this will change annually). The theme and chosen project within the theme will enable students to explore and examine a relevant and current topical aspect of computing in the context of a business environment.

As computing systems and technologies continually develop so do the ways in which businesses utilise technologies to support their operations and remain competitive. As a computing professional it is important to understand the ways in which technology evolves and how it can be utilised in different sectors. The aim of this unit is to give students an opportunity to demonstrate the research skills required for developing a deeper understanding of a subject and the ability to use evidence to inform decisions.

Students will undertake independent research, and investigation of a theme set by Pearson. Students will also investigate and research an industry sector as outlined in the centre-set project brief. Students will use the outcomes of their research to help them plan a computer-based project and to support recommendations for how the identified business could utilise the tools and technologies identified as part of their research.

On successful completion of this unit, students will have the confidence to engage in decision making, problem solving, research activities and project planning tasks. They will have the fundamental knowledge and skills that will enable them to investigate and examine relevant computing concepts in a work-related context, determine appropriate outcomes, decisions or solutions and present evidence to various stakeholders in an acceptable and understandable format.