CS348 - Database Systems
The textbook for this class is Database System Concetps Fifth Edition, By Silberschatz, Korth, and Sudarshan.
MySQL Resources We will be using MySQL as our
relational database management system. You don't need to install this,
I have already set up a server on machine Bewkes143-08.stlawu.local.
The
MySQL documentation
will be helpful to you.
To access the MySQL server we will use a free database client
called HeidiSQL. This is
already installed in the classroom lab machines. You will most likely
want to install it on your own personal computer. It is free at
heidisql.com. I've put a copy
on the T: dirve at T:\Harcourt\Fall2008\CS348.
Grades are based on a 100 point scale and are derived from the following.
To determine your exam average add up the total number of points you have received on exams and quizzes and divide by the total number of possible exam points.
To determine your homework average add up the total number of points you have received on homework assignments and divide by the total number of possible homework points.
The 100 points above translate to the following GPA points.
Click here to toggle displaying the grade table.There will be two mid-term exams and a final exam.
There will be an occassional fifteen minute quiz as well, probably 3 or 4 during the semester.
There will be a variety of HW assignments, some smaller and some larger. Each will be weighted differently depending on its size and the amount of time I give you to complete it. Due dates are firm. However, I will let you turn an assignment in late with a penalty of 10% per day.
At the end of each book chapter there are two sets of exercises Practice Exercises and Exercises. Solutions to the practice exercises are available online on the book's web site.
Attendance is mandatory. You will be allowed two absences during the semester. After that your final grade will be reduced by two points per absence.
In this course we will teach a variety of core database system concepts. We will try and cover much of parts 1 and 2 of the book and other topics as time allows. My intent is to cover the following:
| Topic | Reading |
| Intro and overview of database systems | Ch 1 |
| The relational model | Ch 2 |
| SQL | Ch 3 |
| Advanced SQL | Ch 4.1-4.5 |
| Database Design E-R model | Ch 6 |
| Relational Database Design | Ch 7 |
| Storage and File Structure | Ch 11 |
As time allows we'll cover other selected topics such as:
Read the university's academic integrity policies in your student handbook.