CP363 DATABASE I, FALL 2020, WLU

Course Description

The course provides an introduction to the basic features of Database Management Systems (DBMS), focusing on Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMSs). Students will obtain an understanding of how the different components of a DBMS system fit together. They will write programs to interact with a particular DBMS as a case study.

Prerequisites CP264 or permission of the Depatment

Course Staff

Office Hours

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the fact that Laurier has decided that Fall 2020 courses will be held on-line, all office hours for this course will also be conducted on-line, here are the two options:
  1. 24/7: send me an invite on Skype (ID: ilias_kotsireas) and ping me at any time outside class hours, from 9:00 a.m. EST to 5:00 p.m. EST (no prior appointment is required)
  2. specific time slot: e-mail me to book an individual appointment on skype/zoom.

For authentication/security purposes, please include your Laurier Student ID, and your first and last name, in all communcations regarding the course.

Course Textbook 

Fundamentals of Database Systems, 7/E
Ramez Elmasri, Shamkant B. Navathe
ISBN-10: 0133970779 
ISBN-13: 9780133970777

Textbook Support Web Site: Pearson Education

Lecture Topics (corresponding to the 12 weeks schedule)

  1. Introduction, Database System Concepts and Architecture CH1, CH2

  2. Entity/Relationship (ER) Model CH3

  3. Relational Data Model, Relational Databases, Examples of Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS) CH5

  4. Structured Query Language (SQL) Part I CH6

  5. Structured Query Language (SQL) Part II CH7

  6. Relational Algebra (RA) CH8

  7. ER-to-Relational Mapping, EER-to-Relational Mapping
    CH9

  8. Functional Dependencies (FDs), Normal Forms (NFs), Normalization CH14

  9. Algorithms for Relational Database Scheme Design, Multivalued and Join Dependencies CH15

  10. Query Processing and Optimization CH18, CH19

  11. Transactions, Schedules CH20

Class Schedule and Fall Semester Timetable

              |     Mon     |     Wed     |    Fri      |
              | 10:30-11:20 | 10:30-11:20 | 10:30-11:20 |
              |  (on-line)  |  (on-line)  |   (on-line) |
______________|_____________|_____________|_____________|______
              |             |             |             |
Week 0:       |    ---      |     ---     |   Sep 11    |
Week 1:       |  Sep 14     |    Sep 16   |   Sep 18    |
Week 2:       |  Sep 21     |    Sep 23   |   Sep 25    |
Week 3:       |  Sep 28     |    Sep 30   |   Oct 02    |
Week 4:       |  Oct 05     |    Oct 07   |   Oct 09    |
______________|_____________|_____________|_____________|______
              |
Reading Week  |   Oct 12 - Oct 16   N o   C o u r s e s
______________|________________________________________________
              |             |             |             |
Week 5:       |  Oct 19     |   Oct 21    |   Oct 23    |
Week 6:       |  Oct 26     |   Oct 28    |   Oct 30 T1 |
Week 7:       |  Nov 02     |   Nov 04    |   Nov 06    |
Week 8:       |  Nov 09     |   Nov 11    |   Nov 13    |
Week 9:       |  Nov 16     |   Nov 18    |   Nov 20    |
Week 10:      |  Nov 23     |   Nov 25    |   Nov 27    |
Week 11:      |  Nov 30     |   Dec 02    |   Dec 04    |
Week 12:      |  Dec 07     |   Dec 09 T2 |    ---      |
______________|_____________|_____________|_____________|______
              |             |             |             |

Course Requirements and Student Evaluation

University and Course Policies (senate approved)

  1. Special Needs: Students with disabilities or special needs are advised to contact Laurier’s Accessible Learning Centre for information regarding its services and resources. Students are encouraged to review the Academic Calendar for information regarding all services available on campus.
  2. Plagiarism: Wilfrid Laurier University uses software that can check for plagiarism. If requested to do so by the instructor, students are required to submit their written work in electronic form and have it checked for plagiarism.
  3. Academic Integrity: Laurier is committed to a culture of integrity within and beyond the classroom. This culture values trustworthiness (i.e., honesty, integrity, reliability), fairness, caring, respect, responsibility and citizenship. Together, we have a shared responsibility to uphold this culture in our academic and nonacademic behaviour. The University has a defined policy with respect to academic misconduct. As a Laurier student you are responsible for familiarizing yourself with this policy and the accompanying penalty guidelines, some of which may appear on your transcript if there is a finding of misconduct. The relevant policy can be found at Laurier's academic integrity website along with resources to educate and support you in upholding a culture of integrity. Ignorance is not a defense.
  4. Classroom Use of Electronic Devices: Read WLU policy 9.3 Classroom Use of Electronic Devices.
  5. Late Assignment Policy: late assignments will be marked with 0.
  6. Final Examinations: Students are strongly urged not to make any commitments (i.e., vacation) during the examination period. Students are required to be available for examinations during the examination periods of all terms in which they register. Refer to the Handbook on Undergraduate Course Management for more information.
  7. Foot Patrol, the Wellness Centre, Student Food Bank.