George Mason University

Department of Computer Science

CS 450: Database Concepts

Fall 2021

Professor Jessica Lin

Course Description

This course covers basics to intermediate knowledge for the design, implementation, and use of relational database systems. The main topics include the relational data model, Entity-Relationship (ER) model for database design, Relational Algebra, SQL, database programming, functional dependencies and normalization, and indexing. Students will practice to design, develop, and implement a relational ORACLE database and use the database for queries, transaction processing, and report generation.

Course Outcomes

• Knowledge of fundamental concepts of file and database management.
• Knowledge of database design principles, and ability to model real-world environments using the ER model.
• Knowledge of the formal principles of the relational database model and its query languages, and ability to design relational databases and express queries in the relational algebra and calculus.
• Knowledge of the Structured Query Language (SQL) and database programming principles, and ability to author SQL queries and implement Java database applications using the Oracle database system.
• Knowledge of the basic principles of the mathematical theory of database design, and ability to design databases that adhere to Boyce-Codd Normal Form.
• Experience in the complete database creative process: from database design, to database constuction, to database programming.

Class Time and Location

Tuesday/Thursday 1:30pm-2:45pm
Enterprise Hall 178

Instructor

Dr. Jessica Lin
Phone: 703-993-4693
Email: myfirstname [AT] gmu [DOT] edu
Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 11am-12pm

GTA

TBA

Prerequisites

C or better in CS 310 (Data Structures) and CS 330 (Formal Methods and Models)

Grading

Assignments/Projects: 50%
Midterm/quizzes: 30%
Final: 20%

Exams

There will be one midterm and one final exam covering lectures and readings. The final exam is comprehensive. Exams must be taken at the scheduled time, unless prior arrangement has been made with the instructor. Missed exams cannot be made up. There will be quizzes throughout the semester.

Textbooks

• Fundamentals of Database System (7th Edition)
  Ramez Elmasri and Shamkant B. Navathe
  Pearson, 2016
  ISBN-13: 978-0133971279

Oracle

This course uses the VSE Oracle database server. Please refer to the Oracle FAQ for instructions on activating your account and accessing the server. You will have to connect through a VPN tunnel if you are off campus or using campus wireless. Information on connecting through VPN can be found in the VPN FAQ.

Email policy

You must use your Mason email account for all email correspondence having anything to do with your work at Mason. Federal laws protecting your privacy rights require that we only communicate student information directly to students – and use of the university email system is our only way to validate your identity. You may forward your campus email elsewhere, but we can respond only to a Mason email account

Honor Code Statement

The GMU Honor Code is in effect at all times. In addition, the CS Department has further honor code policies regarding programming projects, which are detailed here. Any deviation from the GMU or the CS department Honor Code is considered an Honor Code violation. All assignments for this class are individual unless otherwise specified.

Learning Disability Accommodation

If you have a documented learning disability or other condition which may affect academic performance, make sure this documentation is on file with the Office of Disability Services and then discuss with the professor about accommodations.