Class Meetings
Venue: FL 311
Date/Time: Thursday, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Teaching Staff
Instructor: Murali
Mani, FL-235, x6421, mmani@cs.wpi.edu
Office Hours: M: 9:30 - 10:30, after class on Thursdays
Regarding when to approach the instructor with questions
outside of class, please keep in mind the following. We are
always willing and eager to answer your questions, and would like you
to master the topics covered in a timely manner. There are different
venues for bringing questions outside the lecture hours: (a) the
instructor will be available immediately after lecture to answer
questions (b) you may attend office hours, and if the above hours
are not suitable, set up additional appointment (c) you may send an
email explaining your questions.
Objectives
This course is an introduction to the theory and design of database
management systems (DBMSs). Topics covered include internals of database
management systems, fundamental concepts in database theory, and database
application design and development. In particular, logical design and
conceptual modeling, physical database design strategies, relational
data model and query languages (SQL), query optimization, concurrency
control and transaction management.
While we primarily concentrate on relational DBMSs, we may possibly
also touch on selected topics from the current database research
literature, such as distributed databases, web databases,
object-relational databases, decision support systems, data
warehousing, data mining, based on available time and interests of the
students.
Quantitative examples and hands-on assignments will be given. Students
will conduct a course project.
Background Material
The core mathematical principles behind relational databases is that
of sets, relations and functions. An understanding of these concepts
is necessary. A recap of these concepts can be obtained here.
Also for one part of the project, you will integrate the SQL
knowledge you learn in this class with other programming languages,
such as Java, C, Perl etc. Therefore you must be able to program in at
least one of these languages.
Discussion Board
Please use the discussion board available at myWPI.