Fall 2011
Syllabus
for CSC 4480: Principles of Database Systems
Instructor |
Mirela Damian, MSC 167A
mirela.damian@villanova.edu
|
Office Hours |
T 10:00 am – 11:20 am W 1:00 pm – 2:20 pm |
Course Meets |
TR
2:30 am – 3:45 am in Mendel
Science Center G88 |
Prerequisites |
CSC
1051 – Algorithms and Data Structures I CSC
1300 – Discrete Structures |
Course
Description
This
course is an introduction to the design and use of database systems --- systems
that manage very large amounts of data. It covers the major concepts and
theories involved in the design and implementation of database systems and
applications.
Catalog
description: Concepts and technology of database management systems and data
modeling, with an emphasis on the relational model; database querying and
normalization; physical data organization.
Student Learning
Outcomes
1. Students will establish
an understanding of database principles and technologies underlying database
management systems.
2. Students will establish
an understanding of data models, physical data organization, data design,
normalization, and querying.
3. Students
will become literate in one or more of the important commercial database systems,
such as Oracle, MySQL and Microsoft Access.
4. Students will be
able to apply the concepts learned in class by developing a working prototype
based on a medium size database.
Learning Resources
The
textbook for this class is Jeffrey A. Hoffer,
Ramesh Venkataraman and Heikki Topi Modern Database
Management, 10/E Prentice Hall, 0136088392 (ISBN-10),
9780136088394 (ISBN-13) Companion
website for the textbook: http://wps.prenhall.com/bp_hoffer_mdm_10/ Other
course-related materials will be posted online on the class website: http://www.csc.villanova.edu/~mdamian/database/ Please
make sure you check the class website regularly. |
|
Course
Requirements
Students
are expected to read ahead sections and watch video tutorials that accompany
the textbook. Pop quizzes may be given
to summarize the assigned readings and video.
1. Homework: weekly written assignments.
2.
Project: one term
project, to be completed in stages. The project will involve designing and
implementing a database system for an organization.
3. Tests: one midterm and one comprehensive final
exam. Tests will be closed books, closed notes. However, you are allowed to
bring one sheet of paper (letter size) with any information you think will help
you during the exam. Please note that
notes may not be shared during the exam.
4. Class Attendance. Regular attendance is expected of all
students. Each student is responsible for all material, announcements, and
assignments covered during any class missed.
5. Late Policy. All assignments
are due at the beginning of the class on the due date. Late submissions will
receive penalties on this scale:
90% for work submitted up to 3 hours late,
80% for work submitted up to 6 hours late,
65% for work submitted up to 12 hours late,
50% for work submitted up to 24 hours late,
0% for work submitted more than 24 hours late.
Tentative
Grading Procedure
The
following allocation of points is tentative and may change during the semester:
Exams: 40%
Project: 25%
Assignments: 25%
Other (pop quizzes,
class participation): 10%
Academic
Integrity
I
encourage you to collaborate on assignments and learn from your fellow
students. However, there is a fine line between collaboration and cheating.
Collaboration means discussing problems and solution approaches with other
students and independently writing your own answers; cheating means copying solutions
from someone else or giving someone else your solutions. If you have questions
about what is acceptable, please bring them to me before submitting your
work.
Cheating, plagiarism and helping others commit
these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty, and will not be tolerated. Academic
misconduct could result in disciplinary action that may include, but is not
limited to, suspension or dismissal. To read the entire Code on Academic
Integrity, consult
http://www.villanova.edu/vpaa/office/facultyservices/policies/integrity/code.htm
Special
Arrangements
If
anyone has a disability or other problems that warrant the need for special
accommodation to complete the course work, please contact me at your earliest
convenience.
Tentative Course
Schedule
The
course schedule below is approximate and subject to change as the semester progresses.
It is the responsibility of the student to learn and adjust to changes. Students
are expected to read chapter material to
be covered prior to each session.
Date |
Topic |
References |
Wk 1: Aug. 25 |
Introduction
to Databases. |
|
Wk 2: Aug.30, Sep.
1 |
The
Database Environment. |
Ch. 1 |
Wk 3: Sep. 6,
8 |
The
Entity-Relationship Model. |
Ch. 2 |
Wk 4: Sep. 13,
15 |
The
Entity-Relationship Model. |
|
Wk 5: Sep. 20,
22 |
The Enhanced
Entity-Relationship Model. |
|
Wk 6: Sep. 27,
29 |
The Relational
Model: Logical Design |
Ch. 4 |
Wk 7: Oct. 4,
6 |
Review
and Midterm. |
|
Oct. 10 – 16 |
Fall Break – ENJOY
!
|
|
Wk 8: Oct. 18, 20 |
The Relational
Model: Logical Design. |
Ch. 4 |
Wk 9: Oct. 25,
27 |
Relational
Algebra. Basic SQL. |
Ch. 6 |
Wk 10: Nov. 1,
3 |
Advanced SQL. |
Ch. 7 |
Wk 11: Nov. 8,
10 |
Physical
Database Design and Performance |
Ch. 5 |
Wk 12: Nov. 15,
17 |
Database
Application Development |
Ch. 8 |
Nov. 22 |
Catching up. |
|
Nov. 23 – 27 |
Thanksgiving
Recess – ENJOY ! |
|
Wk 13: Nov.29,
Dec.1 |
Distributed
Databases |
Ch. 12 |
Wk 14: Dec.6,
8 |
Project
Presentations. |
|
Final
Exam Tuesday, Dec. 20, 8:30 – 11:00 am |