Data Modelling and Back-end Development (5cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

The course is held every spring.

Objective

You are able to design, document, and implement a database, server-side software, and related application programming interface for a scalable application.

Content

- Advanced data modelling (conceptual and logical data model)
- Back-end architecture
- Back-end frameworks
- Server-side programming languages
- Scalability
- Application programming interfaces and integration
- Security settings and hack prevents

Location and time

Starting from January 16, 2026, reserve Friday afternoons (at 2:30 PM) in Teams. The first lecture will be held at the Dynamo building (or hybrid). For the first lecture, attendance is required.

Materials

No learning material (books, articles, videos, etc.) is required for passing the course. The course material is located in the GitLab / LabraNet service. For data modeling, we recommend Data Modeling Made Simple (2nd Edition): A Practical Guide for Business and IT Professionals by Steve Hoberman.

Teaching methods

Project-based learning and online pedagogy: lectures/online lectures, exercises/learning assignments, various methods of online pedagogy (reverse classroom)

Employer connections

Possible visiting experts from the industry.

International connections

Students are both from Finland and abroad. Sharing expertise is encouraged.

Completion alternatives

RPL is in use: the students can show an existing solution made by themself.

Student workload

One ECTS is ~ 27 hours of work. Lectures: 23 h, exercises and assignments: 110 h, data model and code review: 1 + 1 h. Total: 135 h.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The assessment is based on 1) Data modelling assignment (20%) and 2) Back-end assignment (80%). The assessment focuses on the following:
1) Data modelling: you can design a conceptual and logical data model (comprising approximately five entities/tables) by applying standard data modelling and design techniques based upon an understanding of requirements (the models may contain some errors, omissions, and/or inconsistencies)
2) Back-end development
- complexity: only a simple back-end solution is presented
- knowledge base and the structure of the implementation: only knowledge base is presented
- choice of framework and libraries: only the core framework is used
- realisation of the project contains errors, omissions, and/or inconsistencies
- results and their analysis are vague or missing
- reporting and presentation: incomplete (no presentation)

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The assessment is based on 1) Data modelling assignment (20%), and 2) Back-end assignment (80%). The assessment focuses on the following:
1) Data modelling:
- you can design a conceptual and logical data model comprising of at least five entities (tables)
- the models are clear, contain metadata, but may contain minor errors, omissions, and/or inconsistencies
2) Back-end development
- complexity: back-end solution contains several endpoints
- choice of framework and libraries: more than one framework or software library is used
- knowledge base and the structure of the implementation shows more than just basic knowledge
- realisation of project work is nearly error-free
- results are reported shortly and their analysis is missing or incomplete
- reporting and presentation may be short and/or quick

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The assessment is based on 1) Data modelling assignment (20%), and 2) Back-end assignment (80%). The assessment focuses on the following:
1) Data modelling:
- you can design a conceptual and logical data model comprising of at least 5 entities (tables)
- the models are detailed, clear, complete, error-free, and contain metadata
2) Back-end development
- complexity: back-end solution contains several endpoints
- well-argumented choice of framework(s) and libraries
- knowledge base and the structure of the implementation is clear
- realisation of the project work: complete, error-free, consistent
- results and their analysis: in-depth and thorough
- reporting and presentation are excellent

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Pass: you demonstrate skills and knowledge of designing and implementing a back-end solution containing a database, server-side software, and related application programming interface. The results are evaluated during a code and data model review.

Qualifications

Basics of databases
Basics of JavaScript programming

Further information

The assessment is based on code and data model review.