Spring 2015

CMSC 508 Theory of Database

Instructor: Dr. Lorraine M. Parker

Office Hours: M 3-4 and W 5:15-6 in Engineering West 412.
Phone: 827-7000 x406 (only try to reach me by phone as a last resort - email is much more reliable.)
E-mail: lparker@vcu.edu

Textbook: None.

The Learning Objectives associated with this course are:

Problem Specification and Analysis: Graduates will have the conceptual knowledge and background to be able to analyze a problem and identify and define the computing requirements for its solution.
Program Design: Graduates will have the ability to design a computer based system, process, component or program as well as design non-computing requirements.
Solution Implementation: Graduates will have the ability to implement a computer-based system, process, component or program.
Theory and Concepts: Graduates will have a solid understanding of the concepts underlying in computer science.
Oral Communications: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to orally communicate ideas and concepts clearly and in an organized manner.
Technical Skills: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to use current techniques, skills and tools for computing practice.

Course Homepage: http://www.people.vcu.edu/~lparker/C508Info.html

Course Outcomes

- Learn basic concepts of database - 12%
- Cover physical implementation issues related to database - 16%
- Relational Algebra - 24%
- Normalization - 18%
- Entity/Relationahip modeling - 10%
- Legacy database models - 8%
- Oral Presentations - 12%

Please check the web page on a regular basis. All homework will be assigned by placing it on the web page. All course announcements will be made via the web page.

Grades for this course will be determined as follows:
Project30%
Homework15%
Midterm 25%
Final 30%
Project Phases
Proposal 5%
E/R Diagram 7%
Physical Design 3%
Relational Tables & Queries10%
Presentation 5%

The grading scale for this course is as follows:

0% up to 50% F
50% up to 60% D
60% up to 70% C
70% up to 80% B
80% or more A

No make-up tests will be given unless special permission has been given prior to the date of the test. Special permission will only be granted in very exceptional circumstances.

To e-mail homework (Project phases may NOT be e-mailed), the following rules apply:

Subject line must be "CMSC 508 Homework #"
Homework must be attached as a Word file named "Your name Homework #"
Your name must be in both the body of the e-mail and in the attached file.

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Last updated 12/2/2014