Database Design

Database design principles is a course that teaches the basics of how to create, manage, and use database systems. Databases are systems that store and organize data in a structured way, allowing users to query, manipulate, and analyze the data efficiently. Database design is the process of defining the structure, relationships, and constraints of the data in a database.

Objectives

The learning objectives of this course are:

To understand the concepts and principles that underlie how databases work, such as data models, schemas, keys, normalization, and transactions.
To learn the different types of databases and database management systems, such as relational, hierarchical, network, object-oriented, and NoSQL databases.
To acquire the skills to use a database language, such as SQL (Structured Query Language), to create, read, update, and delete data in a database.
To apply the knowledge and skills to design and implement a simple database system for a given problem or scenario.
To explore the current trends and challenges in database technology, such as big data, data warehousing, data mining, and cloud computing.

Schedule

Relational Data Models (1 week)
Relational Algebra (1 week)
Structured Query Language (SQL) (3 weeks)
Database Design (2 week)
Database Normalization (2 week)
Complex Data Types (1 week)
Application Development (2 week)
Advanced Topics (Big data and NoSQL DBs) (2 week)
Exams (1 week)

Grading policy

Homework –- individual works (4-5 points)
- Writing assignments (WAs)
- Programming assignments (PAs)
Project –- works in groups of three students (4 points)
Class activities (1 point)
Midterm exam –- paper based/ practical exam (4-5 points)
Final exam –- paper based (6 points)
Additional activities -- works in groups of three students ([−1, 3] points)
- Research work with in-class presentations
  - We have time for three in class presentation
- Homework design
- Course material design

Instructor

Morteza Zakeri, Ph.D.

ACM Professional Member