COMSATS UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD

BS-SOFTWARE ENGINEERING (COURSE DESCRIPTION FORM)

CSC371 – DATABASE SYSTEMS

Number of Credit Hours:  3 credits  4 credits

Number of Lecture Hours per Week:  1 hour  2 hours  3 hours

Number of Lab Hours per Week:  none  2 hours 3 hours

Number of Tutorial Hours per Week:  none  1 hour  2 hours

Catalog 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; Query Mechanisms;
Approaches for Managing Large Volumes of Data.

Prerequisites:
CSC241-Object Oriented Programming

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

Reference Book:
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
Assessment Plan for the Course:
Evaluation methods Theory Weight (%)[T] Lab Weight(%)[L]
Quizzes(4) 15 -
Assignments(4) 10 25
Sessional exam(I and II) 10 and 15 10 and 15
Terminal Exam 50 50

Total =T+L T=(T/100)*75 L=(L/100)*25

Major Topics Covered in the Course:

No of teaching
Unit Topic
hours
Introduction to Databases and Information Systems along with their
Applications, Approaches to and Evolution of Database Systems,
Roles in the DB Environment, History of Database Management
1. Systems, Advantages and Disadvantages, Components of Database 6
System, DBMS Functions, Design of core DBMS functions, Database
Architecture and Data Independence, Systems supporting structured
and/or stream content.
Overview of Relational Model, Notion of a relation, Mathematical
Relations, Database Relations, Properties of Relation, Attributes,
2. 6
domains, and set their set-theoretic definitions, Relational Keys,
Representing Relational DB Schema, Integrity Constraints
Relational Calculus, Tuple Relational Calculus, Relational Algebra:
3. Unary Operations, Set Operations, Join Operations, Division 4.5
Operations, Aggregation and Grouping Operations
Use of a declarative query language, Structured Query Language
(SQL): Introduction to SQL, Objectives of SQL, History of SQL,
4. Importance of SQL, Terminology, Writing SQL, Commands: Joins, 4.5
Aggregates, Sub-Queries; Overview of PL/Object-Oriented
Programming.
Data Modeling, Conceptual Models, Relational Database design,
E-R Model: Entity Types, Relationship Types, Attributes, Strong and
5. Weak Entity Types, Attributes on Relationships, Structural 4.5
Constraints, Problems with ER Models, Worked Examples of ER
Modeling
Enhanced E-R Model: Specialization/Generalization, Aggregation,
Composition, Worked Examples of EER Modeling; Reduction to
6. 4.5
Relational Schema, Object-Oriented Models, Semi-Structured Data
Model (e.g. XML or JSON-LD).
Normalization: The Purpose of Normalization, How Normalization
7. Supports DB Design, Data Redundancy and Anomalies, Functional 4.5
Dependencies and Normalization, Decomposition of a schema,
 lossless-join and dependency-preservation properties of a
decomposition, The Process of Normalization: First Normal Form,
Second Normal Form, Third Normal Form
Advanced Normalization: Inference Rules for Functional
8. Dependencies, Minimal sets of FD’s, Boyce-Codd Normal Form, 3
Fourth Normal Form
Transaction Management: Transaction Support, Failure and
9. Recovery, Concurrency Control, Interaction of transaction 3
management with storage
File Structures, Indexing and Hashing; Query Processing and
10 4.5
optimization

Total Contact Hours 45

Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
C1 Explain the fundamental concepts of database systems and theory.
C2 Use a declarative query language to elicit information from a database.
C3 Apply the modeling concepts and normalization of data model.
C4 Develop a database application in a team environment.

Relationship between Course Learning Outcomes and Student Learning Outcomes:

Course Student
Unit of the
Learning Possible artifacts Level Learning
syllabus
Outcomes Outcomes
Quizzes, Assignments,
C1 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Sessional Exams,Terminal L b-2, g-2
Exam
Quizzes, Assignments,
C2 3 Sessional Exams, Terminal M c-1
Exam, LAB
Quizzes, Assignments,
C3 4-5 Sessional Exams, Terminal M j-3
Exam
C4 1-8 Terminal Exam, LAB H d-1, d-2

Prepared &Reviewed by: CAC