CSCI 507 Database Theory, Section 1030

Prerequisite: None
Administrative Information:
Class Duration:
Day/Time:
Location:
Campus Phone:

Oct. 3 to Dec. 19, 2009

Saturday / 9:00 a.m - 12:45 p.m.
Manassas campus, Room M125
10021 Balls Ford Road,
Manassas, VA 20109
(703) 392-0771

Instructor Contact Information:

Instructor:
Office Hours:
Office Hour Location:
E-mail:
Telephone:

Rajni Palikhey
Before or after class
By appointment
Before or after class at the classroom
rpalikhey.faculty@unva.edu
(571) 235-6838

Instructional Material:
An Introduction to Database Systems
Edition: 8th
Author(s): Date, C.J.

Course Description:
This class introduces database theory concepts and application of database
management system. Discusses database organization and structure design.
Discusses Relational model, standard database language SQL, normalization,
and transaction management.
(3 credit hours)

Course Learning Outcome:

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Understand the concepts of database management systems.
Be familiar with the state-of-the-art database management systems and
database application development tools.

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Understand the design of relational model and database system.

Be able to solve database problems and implement their solutions using standard
database language SQL.

Understand database design methodology.

Most importantly, the student will not only understand the various concepts, but
also will be able to integrate these concepts into a coherent body of knowledge.
Demonstrate the appropriate level of competence in written expression as
demanded by the discipline and as expected of a graduate student.
Demonstrate the appropriate level of competence in library research as
demanded by the discipline and as expected of a graduate student.

Teaching Method:
Emphasis will be placed on class participation via:
In class quizzes and exercises
Students as guest speakers
Role playing
Case studies, etc.

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Course Schedule and Outline:

Assignment
Given

Lecture Topic

Assignment
Due

Textbook
Reading

Week

Date

Oct 03

Class Welcome & Introductions

Concepts of Database Theory
Evolution of Data Models

Chapter1

Oct 10

Database System Architecture

Research Paper Overview

Chapter 2

Oct 17

Relational Data Model, ER Modeling

Group Paper Time

Oct 24

Oct 31

Nov 07

Nov 14

Homework
Exercise 1

Chapter 3

Structured Query Language

Chapter 4, 5, 6, 7
Homework
Exercise 2

Homework
Exercise 1

Chapter 8, 9, 10

Functional Dependencies &

Normalization,
Advanced ER Modeling

Homework
Exercise 3

Homework
Exercise 2

Chapter 11, 12, 13,

14

Nov 21

Transaction Management &

Concurrency Control

Homework
Exercise 4

Nov 28

Thanksgiving Holiday
(University Closed No class)

10

Dec 05

Database and the Internet

Final Exam Overview

11

Dec 12

Final Exam

Dec 19

Group Project Presentations &

Final Reports due

12

Introduction to PL/SQL
Midterm Review
Midterm Exam

Chapter 15,16

Homework
Exercise 3
Homework
Exercise 4
Research Papers &
Project Reports

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Chapter 27

Course Requirement and Evaluation:

Evaluation will occur via quizzes, exams, homework assignments, project implementation,
presentations, in-class exercises, class attendance, etc.
The deliverables will entail 1,000 possible points, broken down as follows:
150 points

Team Projects & Reports (15%)

150 points

Research Paper & Presentation (15%)

200 points

Homework Exercises/Quizzes & Attendance (20%)

250 points

Midterm Exam (25%)

250 points

Final Exam (25%)

1000 points

Total

The numerical score is then converted to a letter grade using the following scale:
Above 900 - A
Above 800 - B
Above 700 - C
Below 699 - F

Supporting Material:
Papers and articles may be assigned, if required.

Academic Integrity:
Academic honesty is non-negotiable. All assignments submitted in fulfillment of course
requirements must be the student's own work. Plagiarism and/or any other form of
academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will result in a grade of zero on the
assignment. Students should consult the Students Handbook on the University web-site or
in the University catalog.

Attendance, Absence, Lateness, Incomplete:

International students in the US on F-1 visas, and Students receiving Veterans benefits are
reminded that regular attendance is required. The university is required by law to report
excessive absenteeism by students in these two categories.
In accordance with the policies of the University of Northern Virginia, class attendance is
required. If a student has more than three absences in consecutive weeks, he or she will
be asked to meet with the International Student Advisor.
It is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor prior to an absence from class.
Messages can be left at the instructors e-mail or phone. Students are responsible for work
missed during an absence.
Each class will start promptly at the scheduled time.
A course grade of incomplete will be given only under very unusual circumstances, and
only if the student has completed at least 75% of the assigned work by the last day of class
and only when an incomplete contract is signed and approved.

Learning Resources/Library:
Utilization of library resources is an indispensible part of your education at the UNVA. Our

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librarians are available to assist you from 9:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Please
take advantage of this opportunity for assistance to your success while you are here at
UNVA.
The UNVA library offers an extensive range of resources, particularly online, for student
use. Our library subscription journal databases include:
ABI/INFORM Complete
o ABI Dateline
o ABI Global
o ABI T&I
Academic OneFile
Business & Company Resource Center
Business ASAP
Business Source Complete
Computer Database
Dissertations & Theses
EconLit with Full Text
Education Research Complete
ERIC
Expanded Academic ASAP
General Business File ASAP
General OneFile
Health and Wellness Resource Center
Health Reference Center Academic
IBISWorld
InfoTrac Custom Newspapers
LegalTrac
Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts
Literature Resource Center
Newsletters ASAP
ProQuest Psychology Journals
ProQuest Research Library
Student Resource Center Gold Edition
Teacher Reference Center
...and other article databases
The library also provides access to thousands of electronic books, including:
ebrary
EBL Books
Safari Business & Tech Books
...and other e-book collections

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