CSCI-331: Database Systems
Fall 2007

!!!FINAL GRADES ARE UP ON BANNER!!!

DAYS, TIME, & LOCATION: 1-3-5, 9:40-10:50, PENGL-319

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Imad Rahal

Office: P. Engel Science Center 211 (SJU)

Email: irahal@csbsju.edu

Phone: 2837

Homepage: www.users.csbsju.edu/~irahal

Office Hours: days 1-3-5 at 01:30-2:00am, day 2 at 9:40am-10:50pm or by appointment

TEXT BOOK (Required): R. Elmasri and S.B. Navathe. Fundamentals of Database Systems (5^th Ed.)

RECOMMENDED REFERENCES

• C.J. Date. An Introduction to Database System.
• R. Ramakrishnan and J. Gehrke. Database Management Systems.
• T. Connolly and C. Begg. Database systems.
• Y. Han and M. Kamber. Data Mining: Concepts and Techniques

DESCRIPTION: This course provides a thorough introduction into the broad area of database systems. We will cover most of the fundamental concepts of database theory in addition to surveying a number of advanced database topics. Topics covered include: Introduction to database systems and file-based systems, database design through ER and EER modeling, the relational model, relational algebra and calculus, data definition and data manipulation languages, SQL, JDBC, functional dependencies and normalization (1NF, 2NF, 3NF and BCNF), record and file organizations, indexing, query processing and optimization, concurrency control, and other topics of interest. In addition to theoretic component which will consume most of the class lectures, the course requires a large-scale project

OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to understand the fundamental concepts underling contemporary relational database systems. Additionally, students are expected to gain hands-on experience in developing multi-tiered real-life database applications, giving verbal and written reports, and becoming better team players.

REQUIREMENTS:
Assignments: There will be a number of homework assignments all of which are individual work.

Project: This course requires a major project in which groups of students (3 members) design, develop, implement and document an application that heavily utilizes databases mainly through the JDBC technology. Throughout the semester, students will turn in a number of deliverables showing their progress. Towards the end of the semester, every group will provide a high-level written manual documenting their system in detail (this will be the final deliverable). All groups also have to deliver an in-class oral presentation describing and demoing their developed systems – ALL TEAM MEMBERS MUST TAKE PART IN ALL THE PROJECT DELIVERABLES INCLUDING THE ORAL PRESENTATIONS. For your convenience, you will be given a number of sample topics to choose from (Click here to check the projects). The descriptions for those projects ARE NOT COMPLETE; this is left for you to pursue as part of your project. BE CREATIVE! You are also welcome to suggest your own project topic but please seek my approval as soon as possible. EVERY TEAM IS REQUIRED TO MEET WITH ME ONCE AFTER EVERY REPORT IS GRADED AND RETURNED.

Quizzes & Exams: There will be two midterm exams, and a final exam (not comprehensive but will cover some earlier parts) all of which are closed book. Students will be allowed to make up missed exams only in cases of documented emergencies and at the discretion of the instructor. In addition, there might be a number of quizzes scheduled during the term to check that students are studying the material on a regular basis.

Note the dates for all assignments, project deliverables, quizzes, and exams as they are shown in the schedule below. Please make sure that you abide by the set dates as changing them later during the semester might not be possible due to many unforeseen factors. Late assignments and project deliverables will be accepted up to a maximum of one week with a 5% deduction for every late day.

EVALUATION: The final grade for the course will be based on the following percentages:

Attendance, participation & quizzes	08%
Assignments	21%
Exam 1	13%
Exam 2	13%
Final Exam	15%
Project	30%

Grading is mainly based on the performance of each student compared to the class as a whole. In general, the following guidelines are followed expect in certain situations where the instructor sees a need for adjustments.

A             90%         Highly competent performance

B             80%         Fairly competent performance

C             70%         Fair comprehension of the material

D             60%         Partial comprehension of the material

E             > 60%      Unsatisfactory performance

A grade of E may be given in situations of frequent unexcused absences, unsuccessful completion of required work in a timely manner, or evident lack of understanding of core material. Grades of AB, BC, and CD may be given at the instructor's discretion for borderline cases

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR CLASS MEETINGS

CYCLE	DATE	DAY	TOPIC	DUE	READING
1	WED 08/29	1	Introduction	Set 1
1	FRI 08/31	3	Introduction	Set 2	Sec. 1.1 - 1.8
1	TUE 09/04	5	ER Modeling	Set 3 Phase 1: Team formation and project topic selection	Sec. 2.1, 2.2, 2.4
2	THU 09/06	1	ER Modeling	Set 4	Sec. 3.1 - 3.4
2	MON 09/10	3	EER Modeling	Phase 2: System definition	Sec. 3.5 - 3.9
2	WED 09/12	5	EER Modeling	Set 5	Sec. 4.1, 4.2, 4.3.1
3	FRI 09/14	1	The Relational Model	Set 6	Sec. 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
3	TUE 09/18	3	ER-to-Relational Mapping	Set 7 & Set 8 HW 1 (ER/EER Modeling) HW 1 SOLUTION	Sec. 7.1
3	THU 09/20	5	ER-to-Relational Mapping	Set 9	Sec. 7.2.1
4	MON 09/24	1	ER-to-Relational Mapping	Set 10
4	THU 09/27	3	Relational Algebra	Set 11 HW 2 (ER/EER-to-Rel. Map.) HW 2 SOLUTION	Sec. 6.1, 6.2, 6.3
4	MON 10/01	5	Relational Algebra	Set 12	Sec. 6.4
5	WED 10/03	1	Relational Algebra	Set 13 Phases 3 & 4: Conceptual & Logical database design	Sec. 6.5
5	FRI 10/05	3	Relational Calculus	Set 14	Sec. 6.6, 6.7
5	TUE 10/09	5	SQL	Set 15 HW 3 (Rel. Lang.) HW 3 SOLUTION	Sec. 8.1, 8.2, 8.3
6	MON 10/15	1	SQL
6	WED 10/17	3	EXAM 1 (Intro to Relational Calculus)
6	FRI 10/19	5	SQL	Set 16	Sec. 8.4
7	TUE 10/23	1	SQL	Set 17 COMPANY DATABASE	Sec. 8.5
7	THU 10/25	3	MySQL		Sec. 8.6
7	MON 10/29	5	NO CLASS - ICDM
8	WED 10/31	1	NO CLASS - ICDM
8	FRI 11/02	3	SQL	Set 18 Phase 5: Physical database design HW 4 (SQL 1) HW 4 SOLUTION	Sec. 8.8
8	TUE 11/06	5	SQL	ACCESS GUI-MySQL: http://devsrv.cs.csbsju.edu/phpmyadmin/index.php	Sec. 8.9
9	THU 11/08	1	SQL	Set 19
9	MON 11/12	3	SQL	Set 20	Sec. 9.1, 9.2
9	WED 11/14	5	JDBC	Set 21 Phase 6: System / functionality design	Sec. 9.3
10	FRI 11/16	1	Lab (JDBC)	HW 5 (SQL 2) HW 5 SOLUTION	Sec. 10.1, 10.2
10	TUE 11/20	3	Normalization	Set 22	Sec. 10.3. 10.4
10	TUE 11/27	5	Normalization	Set 23	Sec. 10.5, 11.1
11	THU 11/29	1	Normalization	Set 24 Phase 8: User interface design & Phase 7: Class design
11	MON 12/03	3	Query Processing/Optimization	Set 25 HW 6 (Norm.) HW 6 SOLUTION	Sec. 15.1, 15.6, 15.7
11	WED 12/05	5	EXAM 2 (SQL & Norm.)
12	FRI 12/07	1	Invited Speaker
12	TUE 12/11	3	Query Processing/Optimization	Set 26	Sec. 15.8.1, 15.8.2, 15.8.3
12	THU 12/13	5	Project presentations	Phase 9: System implementation DEMO
12	THU 12/14	6		Phase 9: System implementation REPORT (11:59 PM - via email) HW 7 (QP./QO.) (5:00 PM - hard copy)

STUDENTS NEEDING SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS or who have special needs of any type are invited to share this information with the instructor as early as possible.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: Work must be completed in a manner consistent with Saint Benedict’s & Saint John’s codes for academic honesty. All outside work and/or ideas used in any part of this course must be properly attributed. All acts of plagiarism, cheating, or other academic misconduct are considered forms of academic dishonesty and are strictly prohibited. Such instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the appropriate personnel and officials. Please refer to the most recent version of the Saint Benedict & Saint John’s Academic Catalog for further relevant information and guidelines on this matter.