CSE 344: Syllabus

Course Goals
 
Databases are at the heart of modern commercial application development. Their use extends beyond this to many other environments and domains where large amounts of data must be stored for efficient update, retrieval, and analysis. The purpose of this course is to provide a comprehensive introduction to the use of management systems for applications. Some of the topics covered are the following: data models (relational and XML), query languages (SQL, datalog, XQuery), transactions, parallel data processing, and database as a service. For the detailed list of topics and schedule, please see the course calendar.
 
Course Format
 
The class meets three times a week for lectures. We will follow parts of the textbook (see below). While the lectures are designed to be clear and selfcontained, and to cover all the material used in class, you are strongly encouraged to read from the textbook, both in order to get a better understanding of the material covered and to learn about related topics, which are not covered in class. Please note that the lectures will be on the whiteboard only. Lecture notes will be made available online, but they are brief and insufficient to learn the material. The lesson is: do not miss classes..
 
 

In addition to the lecture there will be two sections taught by the TA. The sections will discuss the material taught in class, will give detailed instructions on how to use some of the software needed for the homework assignments, and will give you an opportunity to ask questions.

There will be several homework assignments, involving light programming, and several Webquizes on Gradience.
Lectures
MWF 9:30-10:20 am, MGH 231


Sections
Th 9:30 -10:20am, MGH 295
Th 10:30 - 11:20am, EEB 026
Homework assignments
There will be several homework assignments. Usually they will be posted on Monday and will be due the following Monday, by 11:59pm. These assignments require some modest amount of programming. Turn them in using the drop box.
Gradience Webquizes
There will be several Webquizes assignments, administered through Gradience. Usually the assignments will be posted on Saturday and will be due the following Saturday by 11:59pm. These assignments are atuomatically graded and test your knowlege of the material covered during that week. To access the webquizes through the Gradience website you need:
  1. A GOAL access code that comes with the textbook (see below)
  2. The course token that I will tell you in class.
Exams
Midterm:  Friday, April 29, 9:30-10:20, in class.
Final:   Wednesday, June 8, 8:30-10:20, in class.
Grading
Homeworks: 30%
Webquizes: 20%
Midterm: 20%
Final: 30%
Texts

Main textbook:

Other Web sources::

Other texts:

The library has the following that you might find useful if you require another explanation of a topic.

 
 
Late Policy
 
 
 
 Attendance
 
I hope you will attend every lecture. If you miss a lecture, talk to a friend who was present, and be sure to check the Web site for class messages.
 
 
Programming
Some programming will be necessary in this course. One can only start to appreciate database systems by actually trying to use one. Databases only hold the data, the application logic needs to be written in some general purpose language. We will use the following tools in class:
Tools
The course website and mailing list will be used extensively to provide you with course information, such as the schedule mentioned above, homework assignments and solutions, class messages and many other things. Please see the main webpage of the course for details.
 
 
 
Computer Use Policy
 
Some excerpts from the campus policies. Take them seriously: "You must use all UW [computing] resources in strict accordance with local, state, and federal laws. These laws cover such areas as illegal access to computer systems, networks, and files; copyright violations; and harassment issues... Software and information resources provided through the university for use by faculty, staff, and students may be used on computing equipment only as specified in the various software licenses. Unauthorized use of software, images, or files is regarded as a serious matter and any such use is without the consent of the University of Washington...If abuse of computer software, images, or files occurs, those responsible for such abuse will be held legally accountable."
Academic Misconduct
 
 All work turned in is expected to be your own. Although students are encouraged to study together, each student is expected to produce his or her own solution to the homework problems. Coping or using sections of someone else's program, even if it has been modified by you, is not acceptable. The University has very clear guidelines for academic misconduct and the staff of CSE 344 will be vigorous in enforcing them.