COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: COP 5725, Database Management Systems

OVERVIEW: This is a graduate-level introductory course on the concepts
and principles of database management systems. From a theoretical point
of view, this course covers the essential principles for the design,
analysis, and use of computerized database systems. Besides, a few
implementation aspects are considered. The design and techniques of
conceptual modeling, database modeling, database system architecture,
and user/program interfaces are presented in a unified way.
Specifically, topics covered during the course of the semester include:

- the entity relationship (ER) model
- conceptual database design and modeling
- the relational data model
- relational algebra
- SQL query language
- logical database design incl. functional dependencies and normalization
- database application programming
- object-relational databases
- fundamentals of query processing

From a practical point of view, students learn to deal with a
commercial database system (Oracle 10g). They learn how to apply
theoretically understood concepts in a professional database
environment. In a larger web-based database application project, they
practice how to formulate ad hoc queries or how to write application
programs in a database context. They also learn the complete process
from devising a conceptual database design up to its transformation
into the database schema of a concrete database management system. By
providing a balanced view of "theory" and "practice," the material
covered should allow the student to understand and use practical
database systems. The student is provided with a basic understanding of
the issues and problems involved in database system development, a
knowledge of currently practical techniques for satisfying the needs of
a database system, and an indication of the current research approaches
that are likely to provide a basis for tomorrow's systems.

PREREQUISITES: Discrete math (COT3100); familiarity with programming
using a high-level language; familiarity with or willingness to learn a
web-based programming language (e.g., PHP, CGI, Java applets) for
database application programming; application for an Oracle 10g user
account.

TEXTBOOK: FUNDAMENTALS OF DATABASE SYSTEMS by Elmasri and Navathe,
Addison Wesley, 5th edition, ISBN: 0321369572.

EXAMINATIONS AND GRADES: Your course grade will be based on three
exams, five homework assignments, and a database project.

WORKLOAD/COURSE DIFFICULTY: This class leverages simple concepts (like
sets, functions, relations) of discrete mathematics to explain
fundamental database concepts. Regarding the database project, which is
done in a team, students who take this course often comment that the
project is very interesting but also challenging and time consuming.