CSc 340/CSc 515
Introduction to Database
Systems
Syllabus
Prof: Chris Fernandes
Email: cfernand@union.edu
Office Hours: Wed 10-11:30, Thurs 4-5, Fri 10:30-11:30
or anytime my door's open!
Office: 229 Steinmetz Hall
Phone: 388-6401
Course Webpage: http://cs.union.edu/csc340
Text (1 required). Available at the Bookstore:
Elmasri and Navathe,
Fundamentals of Database Systems. 5th ed,
Addison-Wesley, 2007.
Course Summary
This is an introductory course to modern databases. We will discuss
the design, creation, and querying of databases as well as looking at
issues that the database community is involved with today. Our
primary focus will be the modeling and usage of databases.
The design of database management systems (including file
structures, indexing, etc.) will be covered in CSc 538.
The goals of this course are for you to be able to:
- think critically about how to model a database
- extract the pertinent information about an enterprise which should be
incorporated into a database
- translate useful questions about data into computer-understandable
queries (and vice versa)
- understand the theoretical foundations as to why databases are
designed and used in a particular way
- understand some of the ways that database technology is applied
today and the problems that are still waiting to be solved (maybe by
you!)
Topics to be covered include
- Relational Data Model
- Entity-Relationship Model
- Conceptual and Logical design
- Relational Algebra and Calculus
- SQL
- Query Processing
- Distributed Database Systems
- Other Data Models
Evaluation
- Exams. There is 1 midterm on Tues,
Oct 10th.
If you cannot be at an exam for a good reason (illness, for
example)
then please let me know so we can make other arrangements.
The final will be cumulative. You will be responsible
for all material covered in the readings and in lectures. Exams are
closed book and closed notes, though, for the midterm, you will be
allowed to bring in
a handwritten 1-page sheet of paper with notes (front and back).
For the final, you are allowed 2 pages of notes.
- Homework. Written homework will be assigned weekly throughout
the trimester. Homework is due
at the start of class on the day it is due. The late penalty is
20% per weekday late. I occasionally give out solution sets to written
homework after they are due. Once a solution set has
been passed out, lates will no longer be accepted for that
assignment.
- Project. A design project will be assigned
near the middle of the term. You will research, design, create,
and query a database from the ground up. You will then give
an oral presentation describing your results.
- In-class quizzes. These will always be announced
in advance and usually pertain to recently-covered material.
Quizzes are open book, open notes.
Grading
- Homeworks: 25%
- Project: 15%
- Quizzes: 20%
- Midterm Exam: 20%
- Final Exam: 20%
Graduate students enrolled in this course will be required to do
additional work to receive course credit. This work will take
the form of additional requirements for the implementation project.
Academic Dishonesty
Students often have some confusion about what might or might not be
considered "cheating" in a computer science
class. In general, you should take advantage of your instructors
and fellow students in working out
solutions to assignments. However, I also need to make sure that you are
actually learning, and not simply using all of
these resources as a crutch. As with writing a paper for an English class,
there is a point at which working together
becomes plagiarism. As a rule of thumb, feel free to discuss
general solutions to problems, but the writing down of an
actual solution must be done solo by you.
If you find yourself turning in work
that looks substantially like the work of
someone else, you should seriously examine whether you have crossed
the line. If you have any doubts, talk to me
before turning in the assignment.
In all cases, you must give credit to any source
(like a written work or help from some individual) that you use to help
complete an assignment. This includes citing the people you worked with
if you worked on the homework with other people. Again, this is similar to writing an English paper;
if you use a quote or material from someone else,
you have to give credit where credit is due. Otherwise you are
inappropriately plagiarizing or borrowing ideas.
What you need to do
To prepare for class, you are required to do the following:
Show up
You are expected to be present for every class. However, I realize that
sometimes other things come up (interview, illness, etc.) so
just please let me know in advance or by phone/email if you're going to
be absent. Unexcused absences are NOT allowed and will
affect your grade. If you miss class, get notes from someone
and do the readings before coming to see me. I'm happy to
explain things, but I won't repeat lectures for you.
Read the text
Lectures will primarily follow the major topics covered by the text.
You should do the reading for that week before coming to class so
that questions you have about the material can be answered during
lecture.
There will always be a time for questions about the readings or previous
lectures at the beginning of class. Take advantage of it.
All of the readings for the entire term can be found on the course
web page in the Full Schedule section.
Check the web page
The reading assignments (and other announcements) will be
posted regularly on the course web page. You are required
to check it at least once a week. The URL
is at the top of this document.
The Bottom Line
Ask questions and seek help. This is the most important point of all.
I live to answer questions. Don't be afraid to come to my office every single
day if you want. It's better for everybody (you AND me) if you understand
things sooner rather than later.
Any student with a documented disability or learning disorder is welcome
to come talk to me privately about accommodations to help you complete
exams and homework assignments. All discussions will remain
confidential.
CSc 340/515 homepage