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CSC 271 -- Database Systems
Credits: - 4 (3, 1)
Prerequisites
Students are expected to have the basic knowledge of software development and computers.
Knowledge about data structures, algorithms, and programming languages is also good but is
not mandatory.
Course Objectives
A database system is one of the leading topics in computer science. This is leading in the
terms of its share in overall world’s industry, rapid introduction of latest technologies and
fast going research. Biggest vendors of database management systems include Oracle, IBM
DB2 and Microsoft SQL Server. Database systems have become an integral and essential
part in today’s Information management. The big vendors are well known players on the IT
market; Linux distributions (for instance Red Hat), include an open source database
management system in their distribution package; even the Microsoft Office suite contains
kind of a database management system. As a result, knowing at least the basic concepts
behind these systems and how to use them is becoming an essential skill for IT specialists.
Your course has been carefully designed to give you a solid background in relational
database management systems (DBMS's). If you are interested in becoming an effective user
of a DBMS, or a DBMS professional, this is a good introduction to the topic. For your
interest, according to the best introductory syllabus possible, scope of this course covers two
important areas:
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How to use a DBMS and
How the DBMS works internally.
First part is How to Use a DBMS. This part covers 80% of your syllabus. This part has been
related to the design of database system. Like for example how you can represent real world
data that is company’s payroll system, student’s information in an examination system,
financial systems, etc. into the database systems model that is called a relational model. This
part also includes the methods and techniques involved in retrieving information back. In
more detail, the first part will cover the conceptual design of databases using the entityrelationship model, the relational data model and the relational algebra. Then it will discuss
how data can be defined and manipulated using SQL (the standard query language for
relational database systems).
The second part covers the topics related with the internals of databases. This part
constitutes 20% of the total marks. Transaction management and query execution are the
key players of this part.
Course Outcomes
Students should develop
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Database design skills.
SQL Skills
Students should be able to develop small database systems projects.
Tentative Lecture Plan
Lecture 1
Introduction (ch 1)
Introduction to data, information, file, file types, database advantages, information access
and retrieval process, Database systems: an introduction, an overview of different prospectus
of database systems.
Lecture 2, 3
File system Vs Database Systems, Data, Data Processing features, Database definition,
advantages of database systems, type of data to be stored in database.
Types of database systems.
Lecture 4, 5, 6
Introduction to database designing, preliminary Data flow diagram, Basics of the system
analysis, Software Engineering and database systems.
Lecture 7, 8, 9
E/R Model (ch 2)
Entity type, instance, relationship types, Entity relationship modeling, techniques and
symbols involved in the ER Design, constraints, generalization.
Case Study: ER Introduction
Lecture 10
ER: Detailed Case Study discussion.
Lecture 11
Database three level architecture.
Lecture 12
Relational Model (ch 3)
Data model, database and dbms differences, Data Structure and Terminology, Notations,
Properties of Relational Tables, Relationships and Keys, Data Integrity.
Lecture 13, 14
Relational Algebra
Lecture 15
Relational-Database Design (ch 7)
Transformation from ER into relational data model, Integrity constraints involved.
Lecture 16, 17, 18, 19
SQL, Discussion on the powerful features of SQL. Inclduing simple queries, complex
queries, nested queries, advanced queries.
Lecture 20, 21, 22
Functional Dependencies, Axiom Rules, Normalization using Functional Dependencies,
Advanced Normalization up to BCNF.
Ms Access practical
Lecture 23, 24
Indexes, Storage
Lecture 25, 26
Introduction to views, Transaction Management.
Lecture 27, 28
Review
Note: The above lecture plan can be altered for the necessary reasons with the passage of the
time.
Textbook
Abraham Silberschatz, Henry F. Korth and S. Sudarshan: Database System Concepts;
McGraw Hill, 4th Edition, 2002.
Beside this text book, reference material, research papers and other presentations are also
included. So mentioning here the text book doesn’t means that exams will be from this book
only.
Some Important References
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Raghu Ramakrishnan and Johannes Gehrke: Database Management Systems;
McGraw Hill, 2nd Edition, 2000.
Jeffrey D. Ullman and Jennifer Widom: A First Course in Database Systems;
Prentice Hall, 1997.
Hector Garcia-Molina, Jeffrey D. Ullman and Jennifer Widom: Database System
Implementation; Prentice Hall, 2000.
Marking Scheme/Evaluation Criteria
To gain marks in this course you will have to work hard. No excuse of any type will be
entertained by the instructor regarding the course work.
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There will be four written assignments (they might not have the same weight, but
they will probably have similar weight), one project is essential, eight unannounced
quizzes, two midterms and one final. The scheme is
15% assignments and quizzes/LABS
10% project deliveries /LABS
25% midterms
50% final
LAB work will be adjusted in these marks. LAB tests are included.
Assignment Instructions
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Assignments must conform to the guidelines directed by your lecturer.
All assignments must be firmly bound into a manilla or A4 size folder. Make sure
that your name, the unit name, tutorial group number and assignment number are
clearly written on the folder and title page.
It should be possible to read every page without undoing any fastenings.
Output from printers must be clear and of good quality.
Plagiarism of assignment work will result in a zero mark being awarded to all
involved persons.
There will never be a general extension of an assignment deadline within one week
of the due date.
Individual extensions are sometimes granted upon written application to the lecturer.
If the necessity for an extension is based on medical grounds then a medical
certificate is required.
Some Related Courses of Database Systems
Management Information systems
Advanced Database Systems
Distributed Database Systems
Data warehousing and data mining
Mobile database Systems
Database Administration
Electronic Commerce
About the Instructor
MS (CS) in Computer Networks and Software Engineering, CIIT 2007
MCS, Database Systems, UAAR, 2000.
B.Sc, Mathematics/Physics, PU, 1997
I am using computers since 1991. Database Systems remained one of my core subjects. I
have been developed many industrial projects commercially. The recent project I developed
is the Ranking System of Pakistani Universities. Some subjects I taught/interested are,
Computer Programming
Algorithms
Information Sy.tems Development
Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence
Business Data Communication
Database Modeling and Inquiry
Management Information Systems
Electronic Commerce
Advanced Database Systems
Email: [email protected]
Office: 9314382-83 Extension 265
Consultation Hours:
Monday through Thursday
1:30 – 3:30
Good Luck