UMBC               Fall 2000
CMSC661        Principles of Database Systems
Instructor

Dr. Padma Mundur
Computer Science  & Electrical Engineering Department
Office : ECS 217
Phone : (410) 455 3019
Email : pmundur@cs.umbc.edu
Class homepage : http://www.csee.umbc.edu/~pmundur/courses/CMSC661/
Office hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays after class and by appointment

Teaching Assistant

G. Ersen Bolluca
Office : ECS 334
Email :gbollu1@gl.umbc.edu
Office hours :  Monday and Wednesday 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (and by appointment if necessary)

Meeting Time and Place

Tuesday and Thursday  4:00 pm - 5:15 pm     Room SS 108


Important Dates
Midterm Exam :  October 26, 2000, 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm
Final Exam : December 19, 2000, 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Project Due : December  5, 2000
Last Day of Class: December 12, 2000

Prerequisites     CMSC 461 or equivalent or with Instructor's permission

Required Text

Jeffrey D. Ullman, "Principles of Database and Knowledge - Base Systems, Volume 1: Classical Database Systems," Computer Science Press, 1988
** Other articles discussed in class will be provided as and when needed.


Course Description
This course is meant to be a second course in Databases consisting of advanced topics on the mathematical foundations of database concepts. List of Topics:
  1. Data models and query languages
  2. Relational algebra and relational calculus
  3. Logic-based data model
  4. Design theory for relational databases
  5. Physical data organization
  6. Database integrity and security
  7. Transaction  management
  8. Distributed database management
  9. Selected topics (TBD)
Course Objective
At the end of the course, the student will have developed skills in three areas: i) a deeper understanding of the theory behind various data models and query languages and of issues related to management of databases including security, recovery, and concurrency control; ii) a practical knowledge in designing and implementing a fairly complicated relational database using modern software tools; iii) a familiarity with the current research trend in the database field.

Grading There will be 5 homework assignments.  All homework must be done independently.  No late homework is accepted.

You will be required to work on a semester-long project requiring substantial work.  Project work requires working in a team of 2-4 students.  A detailed description of the project will be provided on the second or the third day of class. Teams will also be assigned at the same time.  A final project report is due on the date shown above.  A demonstration of the project will be scheduled for each team around the same time (1st week of December).  You are also required to pass intermediate milestones. No late projects are accepted. You will be provided accounts on the Oracle Server from UCS.

Midterm and final exams are closed book and conducted in class during the times shown above. Final exam is comprehensive (but more weightage will be given to topics from second half). Makeup exams and incompletes are allowed only under extraordinary circumstances as per University policy.

Academic Honesty

Each individual is responsible for his or her own homework. Under no circumstances should written or printed materials be shared. With respect to the project, I would like to see a healthy competition among teams to generate innovative ideas and come up with the best project at the end of the semester.  Photo IDs may be required for admission to exams.

By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in UMBC's scholarly community in which everyone's academic work and behavior are held to the highest standards of honesty. Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and helping others to commit these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty, and they are wrong.  Academic misconduct could result in disciplinary action that may include, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, suspension or dismissal. To read the full Student Academic Conduct Policy, consult the UMBC Student Handbook.