Course Description from the University Catalog

CS 6231 - Database Systems I
Credits: 3.00
Fundamental concepts of database systems; hierarchical, network and relational database management systems;data definition and manipulation languages; security and integrity; and implementation considerations. Students are expected to complete a project in database administration and development.
Lecture: 2.00 Lab: 2.00
College: College of Arts and Sciences
Department: Computer Science
Pre-requisites: See hard copy catalog for pre-requisites.


Course Information

Course Syllabus
Course Page on the UWG CS Course Web (Moodle)

Course Summary

This course covered a number of topics as they relate to database systems.  These topics are:
  • Database Management Systems
  • Data Models
  • Levels of Data Abstraction
  • The Relational Data Model
  • ER (Entity-Relationship) Modeling
  • ER to Relational Schema Mapping
  • Informal Design Guidelines for Relational Databases
  • Functional Dependancies
  • Normal Forms
  • SQL (Structured Query Language)
    • set operations, correlated queries, exist function
    • joined tables, aggregate functions, grouping
    • insert, delete, update
    • views
  • Migration from Microsoft Access to MySQL
  • Programmatic Database Access

Course Assessment

From the syllabus:

Course Goals
 Database management systems (DBMSs) are an important component of most business
and many user applications. In this course, we will discuss the key characteristics of a
database system. Topics include an overview of database technology, data modeling,
techniques for database schema design, an  introduction to the relational model, SQL,
and programmatic database access. Whenever possible, we will emphasize a breadth of
topics and techniques to give students experience with a variety of DBMS
methodologies and products.

I believe these goals were effectively met throughout the course. See the course summary for more details.  I am not fond of databases, their design, not the administration thereof, but I believe everyone who goes into the field of computer science should have at least some exposure to as many areas of computer science as possible, so I took this course.  As someone who has focused his studies extensively on software engineering I find database design to be overly convoluted and best left to those with far more patience than myself.  That being said, Dr. Yang is an excellent instructor and I learned much from her, no matter how uninteresting I found the material to be.


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