Database Systems Concepts (Fall 2025)

As the first introductory course for databases, this course studies the fundamentals of using and implementing relational database management systems. First, from the user perspective (i.e., how to use a database system), the course will discuss conceptual data modeling, the relational and other data models, database schema design, relational algebra and calculus, and the SQL query language. Further, from the system perspective (i.e., how to design and implement a database system), the course will study data representation, indexing, query optimization and processing, and transaction processing. Finally, we will look at large scale “big-data” processing systems.

This class includes a semester project that satisfies the “Major Project” requirement for the B.S. in Computer Science and Computer Engineering degrees. Students will design the overall goals and requirements of the project with guidance from the instructor. The project will be developed gradually through the semester by producing a project proposal, design, initial demonstration, and final demonstration, presentation, and report. Drawing on skills and knowledge from prior classes, such as Fundamentals of Computing, Discrete Mathematics, Systems Programming and others, the final deliverable of the project will be a working Web Application that will solve some real-world problem.

Prerequisites

Background: Data Structures CSE30331 taken previously or concurrently

Programming: For projects, you will do some significant application programming, with both SQL and some host languages of your choice (e.g., C, C++, Java, PHP). We will not cover programming-specific issues in this course.

Logistics

Class Information

Lecture:
M/W/F 9:25am – 10:15am

138 DeBartolo Hall

Instructor

Dr. Tim Weninger <tweninger@nd.edu>

Office Hours:
Wed 10:15am in 380 Fitzpatrick Hall or by appointment

Teaching Assistants

TBD
<email>
Office Hours: TBD

TA Office Hours will be held in 150 Fitzpatrick Hall.

Class Forum

Questions about the course material, homework, project, or any other course-related questions should be asked on Canvas. Private questions can be directed to the instructor and/or TAs, but we may ask you to ask it on the forum.

Course Project

There will be a semester-long course project, which involves significant database application programming. The project will be structured with several milestones due during the semester, leading to a demo and write-up near the end of the semester.

Schedule

WeekDateTopicAssignments
1Mon Aug 25Introduction
1Wed Aug 27ER Model Basics
1Fri Aug 29Special Relationships in ER Diagrams
2Mon Sep 01Project OverviewHW1 Out
2Wed Sep 03Web Programming
2Fri Sep 05DB Programming
3Mon Sep 08The Relational Model Tyler Teaches [Weninger in DC]
3Wed Sep 10Relational Model Translation [Fr. Bob’s Inauguration]
3Fri Sep 12Functional Dependencies Stage 0 Due
4Mon Sep 15The Normal Forms HW1 Due [Solutions]
4Wed Sep 17Boyce and Codd’s Normal Form Database icon PNG, ICO or ICNS | Free vector iconsHW2 Out
4Fri Sep 19Relational Algebra Database icon PNG, ICO or ICNS | Free vector iconsStage 1 Due
5Mon Sep 21Relational Algebra Expressions Database icon PNG, ICO or ICNS | Free vector icons
5Wed Sep 23Relational Calculus Database icon PNG, ICO or ICNS | Free vector icons
5Fri Sep 25SQL Queries Database icon PNG, ICO or ICNS | Free vector icons
6Mon Sep 29SQL Subqueries Database icon PNG, ICO or ICNS | Free vector iconsHW 2 Due [Solutions]
6Wed Oct 01SQL AggregationDatabase icon PNG, ICO or ICNS | Free vector iconsStage 2 Due
6Fri Oct 03SQL Aggregation Operators Database icon PNG, ICO or ICNS | Free vector iconsHW3 Out
7Mon Oct 06SQL Edits Database icon PNG, ICO or ICNS | Free vector icons
7Wed Oct 08Foreign Keys Database icon PNG, ICO or ICNS | Free vector icons
7Fri Oct 10Object Relational Mapping
8Mon Oct 13Exam ReviewHW3 Due
8Wed Oct 15Exam 1[first page]
8Fri Oct 17No Class[Weninger in Rome]
9Mon Oct 20Fall Break
9Wed Oct 22Fall Break
9Fri Oct 24Fall Break
10Mon Oct 27Spinning Disks HW4 Out
10Wed Oct 29Indexing Basics
10Fri Oct 31Indexing B+ Tree
11Mon Nov 03Indexing HashtablesStage 3 Due [Signup]
11Wed Nov 05Indexing in SQLHW4 Due [Solutions]
11Fri Nov 07Databases on the DiskHW5 Out
12Mon Nov 10Query Execution / Optimization
12Wed Nov 13Transaction Management
12Fri Nov 15Transaction Logging
13Mon Nov 17HDFSHW5 Due [Solutions]
13Wed Nov 19MapReduceHW6 Out
13Fri Nov 21NoSQL and CAP
14Mon Nov 24Spark
14Wed Nov 26Thanksgiving Break
14Fri Nov 28Thanksgiving Break
15Mon Dec 01Exam 2 ReviewHW6 Due [Solutions]
15Wed Dec 03Exam 2[first page]
15Fri Dec 05No Class
16Mon Dec 08Project Presentations
16Wed Dec 10Project Presentations
16Fri Dec 12Reading Day
17 TBDProject Due at TBDam

Requirements

Coursework

ComponentPercentage
Assignments20%
Exam 130%
Exam 230%
Project20%

Assignments

Assignments will typically be due at the end of a particular class period (unless otherwise specified). All assignments shall be uploaded to Gradescope with questions annotated in the system. Unannotated submissions will not receive a grade.

Grades

This table indicates minimum guaranteed grades. Under certain limited circumstances (e.g., an unreasonably hard exam), we may select more generous ranges or scale the scores to adjust.

Total Grade
90-100 A-, A
80-89 B-, B, B+
70-79 C-, C, C+
60-69 D

Polices

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required. However, much of the class material and even some of the homeworks will draw from these and other resources.

Database Systems: The Complete Book, 2nd ed., by Hector Garcia-Molina, Jeffrey D. Ullman, and Jennifer D. Widom.

Lectures

Students should attend all classes. Effective lectures rely on students’ participation to raise questions and contribute in discussions. We will strive to maintain interactive class discussions if possible.

Lecture capture is enabled for this class. This system allows us to record and distribute lectures and other audio and video recordings to you in a secure environment. Because we will be recording in the classroom, your questions or comments may be recorded

Regrading

All requests to change grading of any course work must be submitted to Gradescope within one week of when the grades are made available. Requests must be specific and explain why you feel your work deserves additional credit. Do not ask for a regrade until you have studied and understood our sample solution.

Late Work

All scheduled due dates/times are US Eastern Time. Homework is typically due at the beginning of class on the due date, but check each the assignment for specifics.

Due date/time will be strictly enforced. Missing or late and/or unannotated work gets zero credit. If you are unable to complete an assignment due to illness or family emergency, we will understand but please see the instructor as soon as possible to make special arrangements. All such exceptional cases must be fully documented.

Academic Integrity

Notre Dame Students are expected to abide by Academic Code of Honor Pledge:

As a member of the Notre Dame community, I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to learn and abide by principles of intellectual honesty and academic integrity, and therefore I will not participate in or tolerate academic dishonesty.

All course work that you submit must be efforts of your own (if it is an individual assignment) or of your approved team (if it is a group assignment). Discussion of homework problems is encouraged, but writing solutions together or looking at other students’ solutions is not allowed. Much of the material in this class can be found online. You may look to online sources for guidance, but you must always cite your source(s).

Use of advanced AI systems like ChatGPT is expressly permitted for all assignments, but is unlikely to be helpful. These systems are best used when incorporated with user knowledge and experience, so try to actually learn the material in order to use these tools effectively.