George Mason University

Department of Computer Science

CS 450: Database Concepts

Spring 2018

Professor Jessica Lin

News & Announcements

1/22: Welcome to class! 1/26: HW1 posted. Due date 2/5 at 1:30pm. 2/1: Please see HW1 revision. 2/7: Please see my new office hour for Wednesday (changed from 11-12 to 3-4pm due to conflict with a recurring monthly meeting). The Monday hour remains the same. 2/10: HW2 posted. Due date 2/17 (Saturday) at 11:59pm (electronic submission only). 2/20: HW3 posted. Due date 2/23 (Saturday) at 11:59pm (electronic submission only). 2/24: Midterm postponed to 2/28 (Wednesday). 3/2: Project posted. Phase 1 due on 3/21. 3/10: HW4 (due date 3/21 at 1:30pm) and HW5 (due date 3/26 at 1:30pm) posted. 3/15: HW5 testbed can be found here. 3/20: Midterm 2 postponed to 4/2.

Course Description

This course covers basics to intermediate knowledge for the design, implementation, and use of relational database systems. The main topics include the relational data model, Entity-Relationship (ER) model for database design, Relational Algebra, SQL, database programming, functional dependencies and normalization, and indexing. Students will practice to design, develop, and implement a relational ORACLE database and use the database for queries, transaction processing, and report generation.

Course Outcomes

• Knowledge of fundamental concepts of file and database management.
• Knowledge of database design principles, and ability to model real-world environments using the ER model.
• Knowledge of the formal principles of the relational database model and its query languages, and ability to design relational databases and express queries in the relational algebra and calculus.
• Knowledge of the Structured Query Language (SQL) and database programming principles, and ability to author SQL queries and implement Java database applications using the Oracle database system.
• Knowledge of the basic principles of the mathematical theory of database design, and ability to design databases that adhere to Boyce-Codd Normal Form.
• Experience in the complete database creative process: from database design, to database constuction, to database programming.

Class Time and Location

Monday/Wednesday 1:30-2:45pm
Sandbridge Hall 107

Instructor

Dr. Jessica Lin
Office: Engineering Building 4419
Phone: 703-993-4693
Email: myfirstname [AT] gmu [DOT] edu
Office Hours: Monday 11am-12pm, Wednesday 3-4pm

GTA

Hamed Sarvari
Office: Engineering Building 4456
Email: hsarvari [AT] gmu [DOT] edu
Office Hours: Tuesday 10am-12pm

Prerequisites

C or better in CS 310 (Data Structures) and CS 330 (Formal Methods and Models)

Grading

Assignments: 20%
Project: 15%
Midterms: 30%
Final: 35%

Exams

There will be two midterm exams and one final exam covering lectures and readings. All exams will be in class, closed book. The final exam is comprehensive. Exams must be taken at the scheduled time and place, unless prior arrangement has been made with the instructor. Missed exams cannot be made up

Textbooks

1. (Required) Database Systems - An Application-Oriented Approach, Complete Version, 2nd Edition
   Kifer, Bernstein, and Lewis
   Addison-Wesley/Pearson, 2005
   ISBN-10: 0321268458
   ISBN-13: 9780321268457
2. (Recommended) Oracle 10g Programming: A Primer
   Sunderraman
   Addison-Wesley, 2008
   ISBN-10: 0321463048
   ISBN-13: 978-0321463043

Honor Code Statement

The GMU Honor Code is in effect at all times. In addition, the CS Department has further honor code policies regarding programming projects, which are detailed here. Any deviation from the GMU or the CS department Honor Code is considered an Honor Code violation. All assignments for this class are individual unless otherwise specified.

Learning Disability Accommodation

If you have a documented learning disability or other condition which may affect academic performance, make sure this documentation is on file with the Office of Disability Services and then discuss with the professor about accommodations.

Tentative Schedule