CS 348: Introduction to Database Management

Fall 2012

Calendar Description

The main objective of this course is to introduce students to fundamentals of database technology by studying databases from three viewpoints: those of the database user, the database designer, and the database administrator. It teaches the use of a database management system (DBMS) by treating it as a black box, focusing only on its functionality and its interfaces. Topics include: introduction to database systems, relational database systems, database design methodology, SQL and interfaces, database application development, concept of transactions, ODBC, JDBC, database tuning, database Administration, and current topics (distributed databases, data warehouses, data mining).

Course Objectives

The main objective of this course is to introduce students to fundamentals of database technology by studying databases from three viewpoints: those of the database user, the database designer, and the database administrator. It teaches the use of a database management system (DBMS) by treating it as a black box, focusing only on its functionality and its interfaces.

Required Text

Database Management Systems, 3rd edition, Raghu Ramakrishnan and Johannes Gehrke, McGraw Hill, 2000.

There are some copies of the course text that may be borrowed for three hour periods from the math library. You will be able to borrow them from the circulation desk by using a call number UWD1536.

Announcements

We'll be using a tool named Piazza instead of a newsgroup. Click on Piazza Q&A in the list on the left to access it. All class announcements will be posted there.