CS 650 - Advanced Database Management – Fall 2013

Prof. Alex Brodsky

This class focuses on the study of the internal architecture of database systems. Topics include (1) physical data organization and indexing, (2) query processing and optimization, (3) transaction processing, and (4) database system architectures.

Meeting Place: Innovation Hall 136

Meeting Time: Mondays 7:20 – 1:00 pm (see below)

Instructor’s Office Hours: Tuesdays 4:30-6:00 pm (please check before coming)

Instructor’s Contact Info: brodsky@gmu.edu, 703-993-1529, Nguen Engineering Building 4418

Tentative class schedule:

Aug 26 - Introduction and course administration

Sep 2 – Labor Day – no class

Sep 9 - Physical data organization

Sep 16 - Physical data organization

Sep 23 - Physical data organization

Sep 30 - Query processing and optimization

Oct 7 - Query processing and optimization

Oct 14 – Columbus Day Recess – meet on Tue instead

Oct 15 – Tue - Transaction processing

Oct 21 - Transaction processing

Oct 28 - Architectures of database systems

Nov 4 - Architectures of database systems

Nov 11 - Catch-up, review and problem solving

Nov 18 – Exam

Nov 25 – Project presentations

Dec 2 - Project presentations

Dec 9 No meeting

Dec 16 – Project presentations

Recommended textbooks:

1. Database Systems — An Application-Oriented Approach (2nd Ed.), M. Kifer, A. Bernstein and P. M. Lewis. Addison-Wesley (Pearson), 2005.

2. Database Management Systems (3rd Ed.), R. Ramakrishnan and J. Gehrke. McGraw-Hill, 2003.

3. Database System – The Complete Book (2^nd Ed.), H. Garcia-Molina, J.D. Ullman, J. Widom

4. Database Systems Concepts (5th Ed.), Silberschatz, H.F. Korth and S. Sudarshan. McGraw-Hill, 2006.

Reading: Much of the material in the textbook will be covered in the lectures. Some sections will be assigned for self-study (knowledge will be assumed in homework and exams). Some sections will be skipped entirely. The exact textbook pages for the first book (by Kifer, Bernstein and Lewis) for which students are responsible will be provided at the end of each topic.

Course Load: There will be an exam approximately 5 weeks before the end of the semester and a semester long project.

Final grade: The final grade will be approximately: exam 50%, project 40%, and participation in class discussions – 10%. final 45%. The weighted score of 90% or higher guarantees an A, 75% guarantees a B.