COMSATS University Islamabad

Department of Computer Science

Syllabus Fall/Spring________

I. Course code and Title

CSC371 DATABASE SYSTEMS

II. Course Prerequisites

Course Code Title
CSC241 Object Oriented Programming

III. Instructor’s Information

Full Name:
Email:

Contact Number

Office Hours & Location

Teaching Assistant (if any)

IV. Course Composition

Credit
Weekly Duration (hrs) Contact Hours
Hours
Lectures 3 2 1.5 3.0
Laboratories 1 1 3.0 3.0

V. Course Description
This course covers the fundamentals of database concepts. The topics include: Introduction to Databases
and Information Systems along with their Applications; Information Storage and Retrieval; Information
Capture and Representation; Approaches to and Evolution of Database Systems; Components of Database
System; DBMS Functions; Database Architecture and Data Independence; Relational Algebra &
Calculus; Data Modeling; Conceptual Models; Relational Data Model; E-R Models; Enhanced E-R
Models; Mapping Conceptual Schema to Relational Schema; Entity and Referential Integrity; Structured
Query Language (SQL); Functional Dependency & Normalization; File Structures, Indexing, and
Hashing; Query Processing and Optimization; Transaction Management; Approaches for Managing Large
Volumes of Data..

VI. Text book

1. Database systems: A Practical Approach to Design, Implementation, And Management, Connolly,
T. M. & Begg, C. E., 6th Edition (2015), Pearsons.

Page 1
VII. Reference books & Material
1. Fundamentals of Database Systems, Elmasri, R. & Navathe, S.B., 7th Edition (2015), Addison-
Wesley.
2. Database System Concepts, 6th Edition, Silberschatz, Korth, Sudarshan, McGraw Hill, 2010.

VIII. Course Assessment

Evaluation methods Theory Weight (%)[T] Lab Weight(%)[L]
Quizzes 15 -
Assignments 10 25
Sessional Exam(I and II) 10+15 10+15
Terminal Exam 50 50
Total 100 100
Total =T+L T=(T/100)*75 L=(L/100)*25

IX. Course Outline and Contents

CDF Textbook
Lecture Topics Covered
Unit # Section
Introduction to databases and information systems along
1. 1 Connolly: Ch1
with their applications, evolution of database systems.
2. 1 Database architecture, data independence Connolly: Ch2
Components of database system, DBMS functions, design of
3. 1 core DBMS functions (e.g., query mechanisms, transaction Connolly: Ch2
management, buffer management, access methods)
4. 1 Systems supporting structured and/or stream content. Connolly: Ch2
Overview of Relational Model, Notion of a relation,
5. 2 Connolly: Ch4
Mathematical Relations
Database Relations, Properties of Relation, Attributes,
6. 2 Connolly: Ch4
domains, and set their set-theoretic definitions
7. 2 Relational Keys, Representing Relational DB Schema Connolly: Ch4
8. 2 Integrity Constraints Connolly: Ch4
Relational Calculus, Tuple Relational Calculus, Domain
9. 3 Connolly: Ch5
Relational Calculus
Relational Algebra: Unary Operations, Set Operations, Join
10. 3 Connolly: Ch5
Operations, Division Operations
11. Sessional-1
12. 3 Aggregation and Grouping Operations Connolly: Ch5
Data Modeling, Conceptual Models, Relational Database
13. 5 Connolly: Ch10
design
E-R Model: Entity Types, Relationship Types, Attributes,
14. 5 Strong and Weak Entity Types; Attributes on Relationships, Connolly: Ch12
Structural Constraints
Problems with ER Models, Worked Examples of ER
15. 5 Connolly: Ch12
Modeling
Enhanced E-R Model: Specialization/Generalization,
16. 6 Connolly: Ch13
Aggregation, Composition

Page 2
 Worked Examples of EER Modeling; Reduction to
17. 6 Connolly: Ch13
Relational Schema
Object-Oriented Models, Semi-Structured Data Model (e.g.
18. 6 Connolly: Ch27
XML or JSON-LD)
Normalization: The Purpose of Normalization, How
19. 7 Normalization Supports DB Design, Data Redundancy and Connolly: Ch14
Anomalies
Functional Dependencies and Normalization, Decomposition
20. 7 Connolly: Ch14
of a schema
21. Sessional 2
lossless-join and dependency-preservation properties of a
22. 7 Connolly: Ch15
decomposition
The Process of Normalization: First Normal Form, Second
23. 7 Connolly: Ch14
Normal Form, Third Normal Form
Advanced Normalization: Inference Rules for Functional
24. 8 Connolly: Ch15
Dependencies
Minimal sets of FD’s, Boyce-Codd Normal Form, Fourth
25. 8 Connolly: Ch15
Normal Form
Transaction Management: Transaction Support, Failure and
26. 9 Connolly: Ch22
Recovery
27. 9 Concurrency Control Connolly: Ch22
28. 9 Interaction of transaction management with storage Connolly: Ch22
29. 10 Disk Storage, Basic File Structures Connolly: Ch19
30. 10 Indexing Overview Connolly: Ch18
31. 10 Query Processing and Optimization overview Connolly: Ch23
32. 10 Logical and Physical Optimization Connolly: Ch23
Terminal Examination

X. Course Learning Outcomes (CLO)and Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
CLO Description PLO
C1 Explain the fundamental concepts of database systems and theory. b-2, g-2

C2 Use a declarative query language to elicit information from a database. c-1

C3 Apply the modeling concepts and normalization of data model. j-3

C4 Develop a database application in a team environment. d-1, d-2

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

PLO Description
b-2 Identify and define the computing requirements for a given problem.
g-2 Analyze the global impact of computing on individuals, organizations and society.
c-1 Design a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired needs.
j-3 Use of computer science theory in the modeling and design of computer-based systems.
d-1 State responsibilities within projects/assignments teams to meet desired needs.
d-2 Contribute a fair share of work within a team project.

Page 3
XI. Assessment Schedule - Tentative
Give your tentative assessment plan with submission due date.
S.
Artifact Due Date Remarks
No.
1 Assignment 1 Before Sessional -1
2 Sessional 1 Week 11
3 Assignment 2 Before Sessional - 2
4 Assignment 3 Before Sessional - 2
5 Sessional 2 Week 22
6 Assignment 4 Before Final Exam
7 Terminal Examination Week 33/34
The course teacher may add quizzes, project or more assignment as he/she may deemed fit
XII. Policy & Procedures
 Attendance Policy: Every student must attend 80% of the lectures delivered in this
course and 80% of the practical/laboratory work prescribed for the respective courses.
The students falling short of required percentage of attendance of
lectures/seminars/practical/laboratory work, etc., shall not be allowed to appear in the
terminal examination of this course and shall be treated as having failed this course.

 Grading Policy: The minimum pass marks for each course shall be 50%. Students
obtaining less than 50% marks in any course shall be deemed to have failed in that
course. The correspondence between letter grades, credit points, and percentage marks at
CUI shall be as follows:
Grade A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D F
Marks 90 - 100 85 - 89 80 - 84 75 - 79 70 - 74 65 - 69 60 - 64 55 - 59 50 - 54 <50
Cr. Point 4.0 3.7 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.3 0.0

 Missing Exam: No makeup exam will be given for final exam under any circumstance.
When a student misses Sessional 1 or Sessional 2 for a legitimate reason (such as medical
emergencies), his grade for this exam will be determined based on the Department policy.
Further, the student must provide an official excuse within one week of the missed exam.

 Academic Integrity: All CUI policies regarding ethics apply to this course. The
students are advised to discuss their grievances/problems with their counsellors or course
instructor in a respectful manner.

 Plagiarism Policy: Plagiarism, copying and other anti-intellectual behavior are

prohibited by the university regulations. Violators may have to face serious
consequences.

Page 4