George Mason University

Department of Computer Science

CS 550: Database Systems

Spring 2021

Prof. Ami Motro


Description

An introduction to database management with focus on architecting databases and using them in applications. Topics to be covered include: data modeling with the Entity-Relationship model; the relational model and its formal languages; SQL and application programming and protocols; the theory of database design (plus advanced topoics if time permits).

Time and place

Wednesday 4:30-7:10 pm
Online

Instructor

Dr. Amihai Motro
Office: ENG-4415
Telephone: 703-993-1665
Email: ami@gmu.edu
Web: http://cs.gmu.edu/~ami
Office hours: Wedbesday and Thursday, 3:00-4:00 pm

Teaching Assistant

TBA

Prerequisites
Students from the CS Master's and PhD programs with full degree status (i.e., non-provisional) are waived from these prerequisites. Students from other programs (including provisional or non-degree students) must provide evidence of having taken courses equivalent to these courses.
Prerequisites are strictly enforced!

Requirements

Two exams (a mid-term and a final) and 7 homework assignments and projects, most requiring computer work.
The final grade would be based on exams (75%) and homework assignments (25%).

Textbooks

Comprehensive instructor notes ("slides") will be made available. These two books are recommended for further reading:

The first book is required, the second is recommended.

  1. Database Systems - An Application-Oriented Approach, Complete Version, 2nd Edition
    Kifer, Bernstein, and Lewis
    Addison-Wesley/Pearson, 2005
    ISBN-10: 0321268458
    ISBN-13: 9780321268457
  2. Oracle 10g Programming: A Primer
    Sunderraman
    Addison-Wesley, 2008
    ISBN-10: 0321463048
    ISBN-13: 978-0321463043