Syllabus for CS 442
Database Systems
Fall, 2008

Professor Roger Kraft
Office: Classroom Office Building (CLO), Room 368
Office phone: (219) 989-2696
Office hours: 12:30-1:30 TR, 5:00-6:00 T, and by appointment.
E-mail: roger@calumet.purdue.edu

Text: Database Systems: An Application-Oriented Approach, Introductory Version, Second Edition, by Michael Kifer, Arthur Bernstein and Philip M. Lewis, Addison Wesley, 2004.

A database is a system whose purpose is to organize, retrieve, and maintain large amounts of information. This course introduces the concepts and structures used in designing and implementing database systems. Topics include relational, and object-oriented data models, relational algebra, query languages and query processing, database design principles, normalization, transaction procession, and physical data organization.

This course will cover the following chapters from the textbook: Chapters 1 through 10, 13, and (if there is time) 16 and 17, though we will not cover each of those chapters completely. Your grade for this course will be based on homework assignments and two exams in the following manner: 

           30%    homework assignments,
           35%    Exam 1,
           35%    Exam 2.
Tentative dates for the two exams are 
           Exam 1   Thursday, October 16,.
           Exam 2   Final exam week.
Each of the homework assignments will have a due date. To receive full credit for an assignment, it must be turned in by the due date. Assignments handed in late will be marked off 10% of the total points for each calendar day late up to a maximum of 50%. If an assignment is more than two weeks late, then I reserve the right not to accept it for credit. When you complete an assignment you will e-mail me your solution. In this course web site there are detailed instructions on how you are to turn in your assignments. You will be expected to follow the instructions. Also in this web site is information on the criteria used to grade your programming assignments.

You should turn in your own work for each homework assignment. Here is what that means: You may talk with your classmates about the course material and the ideas behind each homework assignment (and, in fact, it is a good idea to do that) but you should solve the problem on your own and write your own solution. Turning in someone else's solution (or even a modified version of someone else's solution) is a breach of academic integrity. Similarly, giving a copy of your solution to someone else in the class is also a breach of academic integrity. If you need help with a homework assignment, come and ask me. You can ask me as many questions as you want! Please do not hesitate to ask me questions after class, in my office, in an e-mail message, over the phone, etc.

In this web site you will find more information about this course. There are links to online information about database systems, information about course reading assignments, and, very importantly, your homework assignments and their due dates will be posted on one of the web pages.

The computer programs that you need to do all of your programming assignments are on computers in the Mathematics Computer Labs in CLO 363 and CLO 365.

The learning objectives for this course are as follows.

  1. Students will understand the theory and concepts of DBMS, including:
    • Relational Data Models,
    • Relational Algebra and Calculus,
    • The Three-Tier Application Architecture,
    • Data Storage and Indexing,
    • Query Evaluation,
    • Transaction Management.
  2. Students will be able to design a database applying the following technologies and skills:
    • Conceptual Design and Entity Relationship Modeling,
    • Logical Database Design,
    • Using SQL for Data Definition and Manipulation,
    • Physical Database Design and Tuning.
  3. Students will be able to develop database applications using SQL.
  4. Students will be able to develop database backed Internet applications using XML.

If you are a student with a documented disability who will require academic/classroom accommodations in this course, please register with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities in the Student Support Services Office located in the Student Union and Library Building (SUL), Room 341, phone numbers: 219-989-2455, 219-989-2454(voice/TTY) or 219-989-2920.

Students are expected to comply with University regulations regarding civility, attendance, and appropriate classroom behavior. Please see the document Student Guide: Civility in the Classroom available from the Dean of Students office and the Dean of Students web site.

Ethics are an integral part of being a student and a professional. Academic integrity is the hallmark of this University. Therefore, Purdue University does not tolerate academic dishonesty in any form. If a student breaches integrity, the student risks sanctions in both the academic and conduct arenas. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the unauthorized use of other's intellectual property (plagiarism), and lying to an instructor or any University employee. Such actions will result in a failing grade on the assignment with the strong possibility of referral to the Office of the Dean of Students for a conduct sanction (see the Purdue University Calumet Student Handbook available from the Dean of Students office and the Dean of Students web site).


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