Course Syllabus

Database Systems
CSCI E-66 (24046)
Spring 2016
David G. Sullivan PhD, Senior Lecturer on Computer Science, Boston University
Location: Maxwell-Dworkin G125

Meeting Time: Wednesday 7:40pm - 9:40pm

This course covers the fundamental concepts of database systems. Topics include data models (ER, relational, and others); query languages (relational algebra, SQL, and others); implementation techniques of database management systems (index structures, concurrency control, recovery, and query processing); management of semistructured and complex data; distributed and noSQL databases.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-22, or the equivalent, and strong programming skills in Java.

Note: On campus with online option.
Required sections to be arranged.
Noncredit, undergraduate, graduate credit $2,400.
See http://www.extension.harvard.edu

Main course website: http://sites.harvard.edu/~cscie66
The assignments will be posted here, as will the lecture materials.

Requirements

  1. Problem sets: five assignments, including a combination of written exercises and programming problems. Several of the programming problems must be completed in Java. Students taking the course for graduate credit will complete additional work on each assignment.
  2. Midterm exam
  3. Final exam

Important note: The problem sets – especially the programming-intensive ones – tend to be fairly time-consuming. If you have other major time commitments, you should reconsider whether to take this course.

Exam Policy for the Distance Education Program
Students whose primary residence throughout the term is in the six-state New England region (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) are expected to take the midterm and final examinations on campus as scheduled. Students whose primary residence throughout the term is outside of New England are expected to arrange to take their exams at alternate locations by finding a qualified proctor and submitting an online proctored examination form no later than one week before the on-campus exam date. See the course website for instructions on how to submit the proctor information online. Students should contact Academic Services, 617-495-0977, if they have any questions about this policy. 

Grading Policies
Late penalties: Homework is due prior to the start of lecture. If it is submitted more than 10 minutes after the start of lecture, it will be considered a full day late. There will be a 10% deduction for homework that is up to four days late, and a 20% deduction for homework that is 5-7 days late. We will not accept any homework that is more than 7 days late. Plan your time carefully, and don't wait until the last minute to begin an assignment. Starting early will give you ample time to ask questions and obtain assistance.

Determining the final grade:
      problem sets              50%
      midterm exam           17%
      final exam                  33%
The exams will count for a total of 65% (and the problem sets 35%) if doing so improves your final grade. The final exam can also replace the lowest assignment if doing so improves your final grade.

An EXT (extension) grade will be granted only in extreme circumstances (e.g., serious illness), and only when appropriate documentation has been provided. Please bring any such circumstances to Dr. Sullivan's attention as soon as possible.

Academic Conduct
Unless otherwise stated, all work submitted as part of this course is expected to be your own. You may discuss the main ideas of a given problem with other students (provided that you acknowledge doing so in your solution), but you must write the actual solution by yourself. This includes both programming assignments and other types of problems that we may assign.

Prohibited behaviors include: 

  • copying all or part of another person's work, even if you subsequently modify it
  • viewing all or part of another student's work
  • showing all or part of your work to another student
  • consulting solutions from past semesters, or those found in books or on the Web.

You are also responsible for understanding Harvard Extension School policies on academic integrity:
www.extension.harvard.edu/resources-policies/student-conduct/academic-integrity

Not knowing the rules, misunderstanding the rules, running out of time, submitting "the wrong version", or being overwhelmed with multiple demands are not acceptable excuses. There are no excuses for failure to uphold academic integrity.

If we believe that a student is guilty of academic dishonesty, we will refer the matter to the Administrative Board of the Extension School, who could require withdrawal from the course and suspension from all future work at the School.

Other Extension School Policies
We also expect you to know and adhere to the general policies and procedures of the Extension School. You can find more information here: http://www.extension.harvard.edu/resources-policies

Disability Services
The Extension School is committed to providing an accessible academic community. The Disability Services Office offers a variety of accommodations and services to students with documented disabilities. Please visit the following site for more information: www.extension.harvard.edu/resources-policies/resources/disability-services-accessibility

Textbooks

  • Computer Science E-66 coursepack. This will be available for download from the course website after the first lecture. More information will be given during the first lecture.
  • Optional: Database Systems: The Complete Book (2nd edition) by Hector Garcia-Molina, Jeff Ullman, and Jennifer Widom (ISBN 978-0131873254, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2009). This book is not required, but you may find it useful to purchase it.

Calendar (tentative)

1

January 27

introduction; database design and ER models

2

February 3

the relational model, relational algebra and SQL

3

February 10

storage and indexing

4

February 17

the logical-to-physical mapping; a key-value store
Problem Set 1 due

5

February 24

transactions

6

March 2

midterm exam

7

March 9

concurrency control
Problem Set 2 due

 

March 13-19

Spring Break. No lectures or sections.

8

March 23

recovery and logging

9

March 30

semistructured data and XML
Problem Set 3 due

10

April 6

XML (cont.); object-oriented/object-relational models

11

April 13

distributed databases and replication

12

April 20

NoSQL
Problem Set 4 due

13

April 27

performance tuning; wrap-up and conclusions

14

May 4

review session
Problem Set 5 due; no late submissions after Sunday, May 8.

15

May 11

final exam

Other important dates:
January 24: registration ends
February 1: late registration ends; course drop deadline for full-tuition refund
February 8: course drop deadline for half-tuition refund
April 22: last day to withdraw for a grade of WD (no refund)

Course Summary:

Date Details Due