Database Management Systems

 

COURSE SYLLABUS

CS443

 

Instructor        : Dr. Mostafa G. Mostafa

WebSite          : www.wku.edu/~mostafa.mostafa

E-mail              : mostafa.mostafa@wku.edu

Office              : TCCW Room 113B

            Phone  : (270) 745-6183

Hours  : MWF:  11:20 am to 12:20 pm, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

  Tue, Thu: by Appointment

 

Course Description:

 

This course provides a complete introduction to database concepts and the relational database model. Topics include QBE, SQL, normalization, design methodology, DBMS functions, database administration, and other database management approaches, such as client/server databases, object oriented databases, and data warehouses. Examines the design and implementation of data base management systems. In addition to studying data organization and management, the course provides a survey of several data base management systems. Assigned projects will require use of several established data base systems.

 

Prerequisites:

 

A grade of "C" or better in CS 338 and CS 360 is required.

 

Required Text:

 

         Database Systems: Design, Implementation, and Management, Peter Rob, Carlos Coronel
ISBN: 1-4188-3593-5 © 2007

 

Course Objectives:

 

         Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1.    Understand the Relational model.

2.    Understand data definition and data manipulation languages.

3.    Understand normalization.

4.    Understand the Entity-Relationship design model.

5.    Understand security, concurrency and deadlock.

6.    Understand Structured Query Language (SQL).

7.    Understand distributed databases.

8.    Understand database requirements and translates those requirements into a valid database design.

 

Attending Policy:

 

Attendance will be recorded during each class meeting. You will miss a lot but your grade will be affected by 5 % of final grade if you absence more than 3 classes without accepted excuse.

 

Graduate Students:

 

Graduate students are required to present a research paper on any topic they select that is related to the course material. This is an individual activity not a group activity. Graduate students are expected to send me the selected paper by the mid term week. Papers will be selected for presentation on the last week of classes.  Undergraduate students are encouraged to do the same but for no credit, for them it is an optional not required. However, any exceptional work will be considered as an extra credit in some cases (undergraduates only).

           

Cheating Policy


Students are encouraged to work together and learn from each other.  However, cheating in any form on exams, or copying of homework or computer programs will not be tolerated.  Any evidence of cheating will result in a failing grade for the course.

 

General Policy:


Homework is due at the start of class on the due date. Late homework will only be accepted in extenuating circumstances.

 

Student Disability Services

In compliance with university policy, students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services in DUC A-200 of the Student Success Center in Downing University Center.

Please DO NOT request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without a letter of accommodation from the Office for Student Disability Services.

 

The Learning Center (TLC)

Located in the Academic Advisng and Retenion Center, DUC-A330
Should you require academic assistance with this course, or any other General Education Course, there are several places that can provide you with help. TLC tutors in most major undergraduate subjects and course levels throughout the week. To make an appointment, or to request a tutor for a specific class, call 745-6254 or stop by DUC A330.  Log on to TLC’s website at www.wku.edu/tlc to find out more. TLC hours: M-Thu. 8am-9pm, Fri. 8am-4pm, Sat.-Closed, and Sundays 4pm-9pm.

Graded Assignments:   Homework assignments           30 Points

                                      Logical Database Design           10 Points

                                     Physical Database Design           10 Points

                                                      Midterm Exam           20 Points

                                                            Final Exam           25 Points

                                                 Participation/Quiz             5 Points

                                                                      Total         100 Points

 

Homework Assignments:

 

Homework exercises will be assigned from the textbook on a weekly basis, and are due at the beginning of class on the due date. 10 points will be deducted for each day late, and no homework will be accepted more than one week past the due date.

 

Database Project:

 

All students will prepare a database project with a topic of their choosing. Students will work in groups of two or three to prepare a single database per group.

 

The topic of the database must be approved by Monday of Week Three. Time will be given during class time to allow groups to meet and choose a topic.

 

The Logical Design of the database (completed WITHOUT using a database application) will be submitted on or before Monday of Week Six. Each group will submit a single logical design. The logical design may be completed using paper and pencil, the drawing tools in Word, or another application of the group's choice, but it may NOT be done using Access or any other DBMS. The logical design of the project will count toward 10% of the final course grade.

 

The Physical Design of the database (completed in Microsoft Access 2000 or 2002) will be submitted on or before Monday of Week Ten. Each group will submit a single working database based on the design submitted earlier. The Physical Design will count toward 10% of the final course grade.

 

Detailed requirements of the project will be discussed in class, and are available on the course website.

 

Exams:

 

There will be two exams given over the course of the term.  The midterm exam will cover the material presented during weeks 1-5, and is worth 20% of the final course grade.  The final exam will be comprehensive for all material covered in the course, and is worth 25% of the final course grade.  Make-up exams will be given only for excused absences, at the discretion of the instructor, and 10 points will be deducted from the score on any make-up exam.  Notification to the instructor is required, and the instructor may require a doctor’s note or other verification of the excused absence.

 

Participation:

 

Attendance and participation in class are both expected and mandatory, and is worth 5% of the final course grade.  Points will be deducted for absences, late arrivals, early departures, and lack of preparation of the material.  In order to be prepared for class and participate during class, you must read the assigned material for that day before coming to class.  During class, we will discuss the highlights of each day’s reading assignment, but we will not have time to discuss all the material presented in the book.

 

Classroom Policies:

 

Cell phones and pagers are to be turned off or set to vibrate during class time.  Students who use a cell phone in class will have points deducted from the Attendance grade. 

 

Computer use during class time is encouraged, but ONLY for work related specifically to this class.  If you choose to work on material NOT related to this class during this time, you will be marked absent for that class period.

 

Student participation is strongly encouraged during class, but only if it is directed to the class as a whole.