CSCI 370 --- Introduction to Database Systems
Spring 2025 Course Outline

An introduction to the use and operating principles of database management systems. Topics include data entities and relationships, data modelling using Entity-Relationship Diagrams and relational models of databases, query language, physical representation of data in secondary storage, relational algebra and calculus as applied to the design of databases, security and integrity in the context of concurrent use, database applications and basic ethical issues associated with database design and use.

Contact Information

• Huizhu Liu
• Office: B315/R211
• email: Huizhu.Liu@VIU.CA
• Course web site: http://csci.viu.ca/~liuh/370/
• Office Hour:
  • 11:30 - 13:00, Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • 14:30 - 16:00, Thursdays
  • By Appointment

Lectures

• 13:00 - 14:30, Tuesdays and Thursdays, B200/R106

Labs

• S25N01: 10:30 - 11:30, Tuesdays, 315/115
• S25N02: 10:30 - 11:30, Thursdays, 315/115
• S25N03: 16:00 - 17:00, Thursdays, 315/115

Evaluations

• Assignments -- 30%
• Application Project -- 10%
• Midterm Exam -- 20%
• Final Exam -- 40%

You MUST achieve a passing mark in weighted exam marks in order to pass the course.

(Optional) Textbook

• Fundamentals of Database Systems, 5th Edition, by Elmasri/Navathe

Topics

• Introduction
• Relational Model
• Relational Algebra
• Relational Calculus
• SQL
  • Retrieval Queries
  • Update Queries
  • Schema Manipulation Queries
• Database Application Programs
  • Embedded SQL
  • Call Level Interface
  • ODBC/JDBC
• ER Model and ER Diagram
• Functional Dependencies
• Database Normal Forms and Normalization
• Transaction Management, Concurrency Control and Recovery
• Constraints and Triggers
• Database Security
• Database Storage and Indexing

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completing this course, students should be able to:

• Compare the different types of data models and describe the basic principles of the relational data model
• Map data domain knowledge to conceptural data model using semantic modeling tools such as ER diagram and translate conceptural model to concrete relational database schema
• Be familia with the query language of relational algebra, datalog (or tuple/domain calculus) and SQL
• Write correct and efficient SQL queries to retrieve, update, insert and delete data from relational database
• Develop a database application program per specification, and use the appropriate prepared and/or unprepared SQL statements to communicate with database server
• Determine the functional dependency between attributes and connect the constraints, such as super key, candidate key and primary key, with functional dependencies
• Properly design or transform the existing database schema to conform to BCNF and/or 3NF
• Explain the concept of concurrent transaction management and SQL isolation levels
• Select the appropriate scheduling protocols to guarantee the isolation level in transaction management
• Describe the process of database recovery
• Manage the database security using SQL control lanuage
• Explain the impact of efficient data accessing using indexing and the machanisms of the B+ tree indexing

Labs/Tutorials
You must be enrolled in, and fully participate in, the weekly tutorial/lab sessions.

Appeals of Grades:

Any exercise or examination grade may be appealed. However, the appeal must be made to the instructor, in writing and attached to the work in question, and within 7 days of the grade being made available to the class. The instructor reserves the right to re-grade the entire piece of work submitted on appeal, not necessarily just the component that the student believes is in error.

Grade Conversion:

The following grade scale will be used:

University Policy and Procedures

All students taking this course are subject to the Vancouver Island University Policy and Procedures:

The official policies of Vancouver Island University can be viewed at http://www.viu.ca/policies/.

To quickly view some policies and procedures concerning student academic code of conduct and academic misconduct, etc, view the following documents:

• Academic Integrity
• Academic Integrity (procedure)

Academic Integrity Statement

It is expected that students will know and abide by the VIU’s policy on Student Academic Code of Conduct (Policy 96.01)

Standards of Academic Integrity Include, but are not limited to:

• independently producing work submitted under their own name;
  • all graded work needs to be written independently, unless expressly instructed to collaborate.
• properly and appropriately referencing all work;
• identifying all collaborators in work;
• completing examinations without giving or receiving assistance, excepting those students requiring assistance due to a documented accessibility issue;
  • the use of tutorial services, including online sites, to solve graded work is strictly prohibited.
  • the use of online sites and apps for solving mathematical problems on graded work is strictly prohibited.
• respecting the integrity of examination materials and/or the examination process; and respecting the integrity of computer security systems, software copyrights and file privacy of others.

Any academic misconduct will be dealt with in accordance with policies in effect at VIU (96.01) and may result in a final grade of "F", a report to the Dean and a permanent record in the student’s academic file. Multiple records may result in suspension from the University.

https://learningmatters.viu.ca/ready-set-go/academic-integrity
https://www.viu.ca/registration/general-regulations "Student Academic Code of Conduct"
https://isapp.viu.ca/VIUWEB/main.asp Policy - 96.01