COS 425: Database System. Spring 1996.
Course Syllabus
Course Syllabus
(postscript).
Course Schedule
(postscript).
COS425 - "Database Systems"
Spring Term - 1995
Description:
The objective of the course is to study both the theoretical and
practical aspects of database systems. Some of the topics covered are: levels
of abstraction and views of data; file organizations; external sorting
methods; data models: entity-relationship, hierarchical, relational; examples
of query languages: relational algebra and calculus; relational databases:
data dependencies, normal forms, design algorithms; concurrency;
transactions, object-oriented databases, and distributed databases.
Required Texts:
Elmasi, Navathe, Fundamentals of Database Systems, 2nd edition,
Franklin-Cummings Publishing Co., 1994
Optional Texts:
Korth, Silberschatz, Database Systems, 2nd edition, Franklin-Cummings
Publishing Co., 1992
Lectures: TU,TH 3:00-4:30pm
Objectives
- Understand basic database system concepts.
- Understand the three basic data models with addition to examining recent trends.
- Examine the fundamentals of database design.
- Overview file organization and indexing methods.
- Understand transaction processing.
- Examine concurrency and recovery issues.
- Overview object-oriented and distributed databases.
- Examine case studies on Teradata and the BeSS object store.
Course Requirements/Procedures
To successfully complete this course you must:
- Pass a comprehensive final exam.
- Pass mid-term exam.
- Accurately complete all programming assignments.
- Attend class on a regular basis.
- Successfully complete a group project.
Class Procedures
The class time will be spent lecturing on new material, discussing assigned
reading assignments, discussing assignments and project, and answering any
questions that are appropriate for the course. Excessive absences tend to
lower a student's grade. Attendance is highly encouraged, If you are absent,
arrive late, or leave early from any class, you are responsible for the
material. Attendance does count towards your grade.
Class Participation
You are expected to think independently and actively participate in the class
sessions by asking meaningful questions. Your class participation should
enhance the quality of the course and provide a beneficial learning experience
for all students in the course.
Assignments / Project
You will be given written assignments periodically throughout the course.
The due date and grading for each assignment will be indicated when the
assignment is discussed. Assignments turned in late will receive a 5% penalty.
If you are falling behind or are experiencing difficulty, it is your
responsibility to visit me and seek assistance; I welcome and encourage
appointments. The written assignments will each contain 2-5 problems.
The group project consists of an implementation aspect of databases along
with a 2-5 page write-up discussing results and observations. The format will
be discussed in class.
Examinations
You will be given a mid-term and final examination. Both exams are cumulative,
however, the most recent material will be emphasized. The exams will be give
during regular class times as indicated by the class schedule. You must
arrange for a make-up exam before the scheduled exam and this is at the
discretion of the instructor. If the mid-term exam is impractical, the points
for that exam will be added to the final. The final must be taken.
Plagiarism
You are not to represent another's work as your own, in case programming
assignments and write-ups. You will not receive credit for any plagiarized
assignment and not be able to make it up.
Cheating
Cheating will result in an automatic failure.
Grading
Your grade will be calculated as follows:
- midterm: 30%
- final: 30%
- assignments: 15%
- project: 20%
- participation: 5%
These weights are subject to minor variation.
If you are taking the course for Credit/No-Credit you must accumulate at
least 75% to receive Credit, otherwise you receive No-Credit.
Assignments
There will be approximately seven 2-5 problem assignments. The assignments
will be due one week after being assigned. The assignment with the lowest
score will not be incorporated into the final grade.
Project
A project will be assigned after mid-terms where students work in groups of
three. The project will consist of designing and writing portions of
a working database system. The projects will be demo'ed at the end
of the semester.
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