Practical Assignment: UML Modeling

Overview: Turn Theory into Practice

You've read the tutorials. You've practiced with UML diagrams. Now it's time to apply that knowledge in a real-world, scenario-driven assignment. In this practical project, you'll model a student management system using UML. This includes Use Case, Class, Sequence, and Activity diagrams—all mapped from functional requirements like enrolling a student or assigning grades.

Objective of the Assignment

The goal is to demonstrate your understanding of core UML concepts through a series of diagrams that reflect the requirements of a simple school system. Imagine you’re designing this for a Java-based backend. Your output should serve as a blueprint for developers and stakeholders alike.

System Scenario: Student Management System

The system you're modeling will allow teachers to:

• Register new students
• Assign grades to students
• Generate a report card
• Let students log in to view grades

Let’s break this down into a full-fledged UML modeling exercise.

Step 1: Use Case Diagram

Start by identifying the actors and their interactions with the system.

Actors:

• Teacher
• Student
• Admin (optional)

Use Cases:

• Register Student
• Assign Grade
• Generate Report Card
• Login
• View Grades

Tip: Use ellipses for use cases and stick figures for actors. Connect them using solid lines.

Step 2: Class Diagram

This shows the static structure of the system. Define key entities and their relationships.

Entities:

• Student
• Teacher
• Grade
• Subject

Example:

class Student {
    - id : int
    - name : String
    - email : String
    + viewGrades() : void
}

class Teacher {
    - id : int
    - name : String
    + assignGrade(studentId, subject, score) : void
}

class Grade {
    - subject : String
    - score : int
}

Student "1" -- "*" Grade
Teacher "1" -- "*" Student

Note: Use associations for relationships and include multiplicity (e.g., 1..*, 0..1).

Step 3: Sequence Diagram

Let’s model the interaction for assigning a grade.

Scenario:

A teacher selects a student and assigns a grade for a subject.

Teacher -> UI : clickAssignGrade()
UI -> Controller : submitGrade(studentId, subject, score)
Controller -> GradeService : assignGrade()
GradeService -> GradeRepository : saveGrade()

Each vertical line represents an object's lifeline. Arrows denote method calls. Include return paths if possible.

Step 4: Activity Diagram

This helps visualize flow and decision logic. We’ll model the student login and grade viewing process.

Steps:

1. Start
2. Enter credentials
3. If valid, load student profile
4. Show grades
5. End

Use diamonds for decision nodes, rectangles for actions, and solid circles for start/end.

Bonus Step: Component Diagram (Optional)

Visualize the tech stack layout, especially helpful for Java developers planning microservices or layered architectures.

component "UI" {
    interface "Student Interface"
    interface "Teacher Interface"
}

component "Backend" {
    interface "Grade Service"
    interface "Student Repo"
}

UI --> Backend : HTTP Requests

Evaluation Criteria

Once you complete your diagrams, review them against these criteria:

• ✅ Clear and consistent naming
• ✅ Correct use of multiplicity
• ✅ Proper use of UML symbols
• ✅ Logical flow of use case and activity diagrams
• ✅ Real-world relevance of the modeled system

Submission Format

Submit your assignment as a zipped folder containing:

• UML source files (e.g., .mdj, .puml)
• Exported images (PNG, SVG)
• A short README explaining your design choices

Conclusion: Think Like a Designer

Modeling isn't about perfection—it's about communication. This assignment is designed to help you express system logic visually, bridging the gap between requirements and implementation.

Whether you're aiming for clarity in documentation or blueprinting a scalable Java backend, UML is your canvas. Use it wisely, and let your diagrams tell a complete story.