COURSE OUTLINE

GIFT COMPUTING SCIENCE SCHOOL

Database System, Database Management System

Fall Semester, 2019

Faculty: GIFT Computing Science School

Credit hours: 3
Course level: Undergraduate
Campus/Location/Instruction Mode: GIFT University/On Campus/In Person
Course Instructors: Tayyaba Sana
tayyaba.sana@gift.edu.pk
Consultation hours: Tuesday,Thursday(01:00 pm -03:00 pm)
Timing As per the timetable
Core/Elective Core

BRIEF COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course introduces the basic concepts of databases and discusses their practical applications and design
issues. Starting from the conceptual modelling stage, through its logical design, the relational model is
discussed in detail due to its widespread base during the last two decades. Relational operations and
Structured Query Language are also practiced. An integral part of the course is the normalization theory which
discusses a very important design issue of eliminating data redundancy from a database schema .

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The Main course objectives as follows:
 To provide students a good understanding of the principles of database design and modelling
techniques especially for creation of relational databases
 To have a fairly good practice in conceptual modelling using entity-relationship diagrams
 To learn how queries in SQL can be written correctly and efficiently
 To learn about transaction processing in database management systems
 Applying the concepts learned in the course to develop a real world application

LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this course, we aim to impart the following skillset to the students:
 A thorough understanding of how a database system works.
 Ability to analyze, design, and implement a small database system.
 A knowhow about advance database concepts.

TENTATIVE LECTURE PLAN

 READING ASSESSMENT
No. of
TOPIC DUE
Sessions
(Text Book)
1 Introduction to Course and Conduct -
3 Introduction to Database System Concepts & Architecture Ch.1, 2
Q-1, Project
4 SQL Ch. 8, 9
Begins
4 Data Modelling Using ER Model Ch. 3
3 Enhanced ER Model Ch. 4 Q-2

1 Midterm Examination
1 Project Mid Evaluation
2 Relational Data Model, Constraints & Algebra Ch. 5, 6
2 Relational Database Design: Mapping EER to ER Ch. 7 Q-3

5 Functional Dependencies and Normalization Ch. 10

1 Indexing Ch. 14 Q-4

1 Transaction Processing Concepts Ch. 17

1 NoSQL, W hy NoSQL DB should you choose?
Project
1 Concurrency Control Techniques, Database Recovery Techniques Ch. 18,19
Submission Due
Q = Quiz, A = Assignment, CP= Class Participation
Please note: This is a proposed schedule only and may be varied at the discretion of the instructor to give a
greater or lesser degree of emphasis to particular topics.

TEXTS AND SUPPORTING M ATERIALS

Prescribed Texts and Readings:
1. Fundamentals of Database Systems - 6th Ed., by Ramez Elmasri and S. B. Navathe, Pearson Education,
Inc.

Reference Texts:
1. An Introduction to Database Systems (8th Edition)., by C. J. Date, Pearson Education
2. Database Systems Concepts, by Silberchatz, Abraham & Korth, Sudarshan, McGraw-Hill.
3. Database Management Systems, by Ramakrishnan, Raghu & Gehrke, Johannes, McGraw-Hill.
ASSESSMENT

Item Assessment Task No. of Weighting Due Day and Time

Assessments

1 Quizzes(announced) 6 15% Various Weeks in Class

2 Surprise quizzes 6~8 7% Various Weeks in Class
3 Assignments 2 3% Various Weeks in Class

4 Project 2-3 20% Various Weeks in Class

5 Midterm Exam 1 25% 8th week
6 Final Examination 1 30% During Formal Examination Period
Please note:
1. A best of (n - 1) quizzes will be taken in the final assessment.
2. Retake of any missed quiz is not permissible.
3. This is a tentative criteria only and may be varied at the discretion of the instructor to give a greater or
lesser weightage to particular assessments.

Pass percentage: 40%

Students must complete each component of the assessment to the satisfaction of the course instructor, and
achieve an overall mark of 45% in order to pass the course. All components of the above assessment are
compulsory, and must be completed in order to obtain a pass grade. Students are expected to perform
satisfactorily in each item.

.
Assessment Item No. 1,2 (Quizzes, Surprise
quizzes)
Five to Seven quizzes will be given to students in the class during various weeks. There will be no retake of
any missed quiz.
Assessment Item No. 4 (Project)
Students will design, implement, demonstrate and document a complete database system. The project work
is to be done in groups of 3 students. Pick your other group members as soon as possible. The groups are
self-policing (e.g. each group is responsible for its own division of labour, scheduling etc.). The groups can
choose a project topic of their choice, but it has to be approved by course instructor. This topic selection should
be done within the first two weeks. There will be a penalty of 30% per day for all submissions that are done
after the due date.
NOTE: If an irreconcilable problem arises in your group, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor as
soon as possible. If you wait until the deadline, it will be too late. A separate handout will be provided describing
the project requirements in the 2nd week of the classes.

Assessment Item No. 5 (Midterm Examination)

There will be no retake of this assessment component in case of someone failing to attend the exam. Final
decision will be taken by higher authorities in case of serious issues.
Assessment Item No. 6(Final Examination)
There will be no retake of this assessment component in case of someone failing to attend the exam. Final
decision will be taken by higher authorities in case of serious issues.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: 80% (min)

Coming Late to Lectures and Lab: The instructor reserves the right to not allow late comers to attend the
lecture.

ACADEMIC Dishonesty/Plagiarism
Wehave a zero-tolerance policy for such cases. It may result into an F grade in the course or expulsion from
University in extreme case.