CSE 3330                 Database Systems and File Structures            Fall 2003

Course Information and Outline

 

Instructor: Ramez Elmasri

Office: 335 NH or 108 SWCC                                                Office Phone: 817-272-2348

Class Time: 12.30-1.50pm                                                    Class Room: 108 NH

Email: elmasri@cse.uta.edu

Office Hours: Tuesday, Thursday: 2-2:30pm, 3-3.30pm, 5-5.30pm

GTA: Yvonne Chu                                                                  Email: mchu@cse.uta.edu

GTA Office and Office Hours: Tuesday, Thursday: 11.45 – 12.30pm at 105 Engineering Annex West Building (247 NH before EAWB is ready)

Course Web page: http://crystal.uta.edu/~elmasri/udb/

 

Textbook: Fundamentals of Database Systems, Fourth Edition, by Elmasri/Navathe, published by Addison-Wesley, 2004.

 

Course Contents:

This is a first course in database systems. The prerequisites are knowledge of programming and data structures (CSE 2320 or equivalent). We will cover the following chapters from the textbook:

1.     Chapters 1, 2: Introduction to database concepts and architecture.

2.     Chapters 5, 6: The relational data model and relational algebra.

3.     Chapters 8, 9: The SQL database language, database programming techniques.

4.     Chapters 3, 4, 7: Conceptual database design using the Entity-Relationship model and Extended Entity-Relationship modeling, and mapping to relational model.

5.     Chapters 13, 14: File and index structures and search techniques for database storage.

6.     Chapters 10,11: Introduction to relational database theory, functional dependencies, and normalization.

 

Grading Policy:

There will be three tests. There is no final exam. In addition, a number of projects/homework assignments will be given. The grade cutoffs are generally as follows: 90-100 A, 75-89 B, 60-74 C. Projects will require JAVA programming using JDBC and ORACLE, or C programming using Pro*C. References will be provided on the course Web site.

 (Important Note: The exact cutoffs for each grade will be determined at the end of the course). The final grade will be calculated based on the three tests (20% for each test) and projects/homework (40% of grade).

Note: The Instructor reserves the right to modify the grading policy, course calendar and all other course policies. Make-ups for Tests may be arranged if your absence is caused by illness or emergency. In order to get acceptance for make-ups a written explanation along with the supporting documents must be submitted to the Instructor.

 

Submission Policy for Assignments:

Assignments are due in their entirety on the due date by 12:00 midnight. There will be a 10% penalty per day late. Lateness is determined with respect to your submission time. For instance, an assignment due on Tuesday: if submitted on Wednesday before 12:00 midnight is considered one day late. No assignments will be accepted if late more than three days.

 

Omega Machine:

Make sure you have an account on Omega (omega.uta.edu), the computer offered by ACS. This is the machine on which all projects will be implemented. To obtain an account on Omega go to the UTA Web page for current students, click on:

Manage Your Computer Accounts, and create a UNIX account on omega.

 

You will also have an account created for you on the ORACLE database system, which should have the same initial account name and password as your Omega account.

 

Disability:

If any student needs special accommodations because of a disability, please contact the Instructor during the first week of classes.

 

Academic Honesty:

You are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity. This means that plagiarism in any form is unacceptable. Plagiarism will be assumed, until disproved, on work that is essentially the same as that of other students. Your work must be your own. This refers to quizzes and programming projects. Should you be found to be cheating, at a minimum, you will fail that assignment and a letter will be sent to the Department, the College of Engineering, and to the Graduate School. The Instructor reserves the right to stronger action should the situation warrant it.