CSCC43: Introduction to Databases
Summer 2009


Course Information Sheet

Topics   |   Prerequisites   |   Textbook   |  Marking  |  Policies  |  Special   |  Offences   |  Accessibility

  Lectures:

  Monday, 11am-1pm, Humanities Wing HW-215 (campus map)

  Tutorials:

  Monday, 1pm-2pm, Bladen Wing BV-516

  Instructor:

  Lei Jiang

  TA:

  Maksims Volkovs

  Email:

  leijiang AT cs DOT toronto DOT edu

  Office:

  PO103-108

  Office Hours:

  Monday, 9am-11am, or by appointment

  Course Website:  

  http://www.cs.toronto.edu/~leijiang/teaching/cscc43-s09/

Topics

  • Introduction to database management systems
  • Relational Data
    • Relational data model
    • Query languages
      • Relational algebra
      • SQL
  • Application programming with SQL
  • XML Data
    • XML schema
    • XML query languages
      • XPath
      • XQuery
  • Database Design
    • Conceptual database design
      • ER modeling
      • ER schema to relational schema translation
    • Logical database design
      • Functional dependencies
      • Normal forms

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Course Prerequisites

Prerequisites:

  • CSCB63H (Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis)
  • CGPA 3.0 or enrolment in a CSC subject POSt

Exclusion:

  • CSC343H
  • CSCD34H
  • CSC434H

If you do not have the course prerequisites, please confer with your instructor to determine if you may
remain in the class. Otherwise, you will be removed from the course.

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Textbook

The required textbook is Database Systems Concepts, by A. Silberschatz, H. F. Korth, and S. Sudarshan, McGraw Hill, 2006 (5th Edition). I have arranged a custom-published version of the textbook, containing only the most relevant chapters. It is far less expensive than the full book, and I do expect you to purchase and read it. The text serves as a good companion to the lecture notes, which do not cover every topic in complete detail. 

Some instructors use Database Management Systems, by R. Ramakrishnan, and J. Gehrke, McGraw Hill, 2003 (3rd Edition). If you have access to this book already, you are welcome to use it as optional textbook complementary to the required one.

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Course Marking Scheme

In order to pass this course, you must earn at least 40% on the final exam.

Mark Component Description Weight
Assignment 1 Relational Algebra 10%
Assignment 2 SQL 10%
Midterm   20%
Assignment 3 XML 10%
Assignment 4 DB Design 10%
Final exam   40%

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Contact: Website, Email and Office Hours

The course website (http://www.cs.toronto.edu/~leijiang/teaching/cscc43-s09/) is required reading! Remember to check it on a regular basis for course announcements, lecture and tutorial notes, assignment handouts and other important material.

Please include "C43" in the subject line (or your message may accidentally be filed as spam) and sign your full name. I will try to respond by the end of the next business day. However, it may take longer, especially near due dates. Please try to start assignments early so that you can ask your questions well ahead of the due date. Tip: Messages that are short, specific and address a single topic are most likely to receive a prompt reply. And remember that if you do not hear back quickly, I am always available during office hours to help.

You are encouraged to attend the office hours. Office hours are a very effective way to get help with course material. Attending office hours is also a great way to get to know your instructor better, and let your instructor to know you better. Among other reasons, many of you will need references for work or graduate school, and only instructors who know you well can provide helpful references. So please come see me!

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Assignment Policies

Format: All assignments must be typed. Handwritten assignments will not be marked.

Team Work: You are allowed to work in teams of two.

Submission: All assignments must be electronically submitted by the specified deadline in Postscript, PDF or plain ASCII file. We prefer Postscript or PDF submissions (you may lost points for clarity and readability reasons). Submissions in other format will not be marked. Don't forget to include in all files you are submitting the full names and student numbers of all the team members.

Remark: Questions concerning the grading of assignments and the tests must be submitted in writing to the instructor or TA within one week of when it was first returned to the class. You must use the Remark Request Form, and staple it to the front of the marked assignment or test. Note that the entire assignment or test may be re-assessed.

Late Assignments: There will be a 25% deduction for each day of lateness, to a maximum of 2 days; assignments will not be accepted beyond that point. Weekend and holidays count when calculating late days. No work will be accepted beyond the last day of classes for the term.

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Special Consideration

If you are unable to complete homework or if you miss the midterm test due to major illness or other circumstances completely outside of your control, get in touch with your instructor immediately if you want to receive special consideration. Note that extensions will be considered on an individual basis and will not be given automatically.

In order to receive special consideration, you must fill out the following Request for Special Consideration form and bring it to your instructor right away, together with your supporting documentation.

Note that in the case of illness, medical documentation must be supplied on the standard University of Toronto Student Medical Certificate -- you can obtain a paper copy of this certificate from your college registrar. (A simple "note" from your doctor is not acceptable.)

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Academic Offences

The work you submit must be your own. It is an academic offence to copy someone else's work. This includes their code and their words, and even their ideas. Whether you copy or let someone else copy, it is an offence. Academic offences are taken very seriously.

At the same time, we want you to benefit from working with other students. This is one reason why you are required to work in a group for the assignments. Obviously, work done with your partner is a joint effort. You are also welcome to work appropriately with students other than your partner. We encourage you to discuss course material and technology related to assignments. For example, you may work through examples that help you understand course material or a new technology, or help each other configure your system to run a supporting piece of software. You may also discuss assignment requirements. However, other than between partners, collaboration on assignment solutions is strictly forbidden. The most certain way to protect yourself is not to discuss assignment solutions with students other than your partner. Certainly you must not let others see your assignment solutions, even in draft form. Click here for more advice about avoiding academic offences.

Please don't cheat. We want you to succeed and are here to help if you are having difficulty.

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Accessibility

Students with a disability or health consideration are encouraged to approach their instructor and/or the Accessibility Services Office. The Accessibility Office Coordinator is available by appointment to assess specific needs, provide referrals and arrange appropriate accommodations.

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