Exercise: students and classes

If you are using this Web site in a class at a university, you are probably interested in what grade you will get in the class. This exercise has you investigate typical database objects you find in university settings.

Design a database that shows the the students and the (university) classes, their attributes, and the relationship between them. Be sure to show where the grade should be recorded. Build the database model by completing the steps below.

  1. Start by identifying and describing each class in English.
  2. Continue by drawing the UML class diagram by drawing the classes, but avoid filling in the attributes for now, just name the classes.
  3. Next, determine what relationships exist between the classes you identified. Draw each association in the diagram including the multiplicity constraints and describe in English (both directions) to make sure you've correctly modeled the information given.
  4. Now complete each class by filling in the attributes and their corresponding data type.
  5. Map the UML class diagram to the relational model by drawing the relation scheme diagram. Be sure to model all constraints such as any non-null attributes, primary key, and foreign key.

The solution to this exercise may be discussed in class by your instructor or posted online at a later date.