Introduction to CSC3400

1
Introduction to CSC3400 Database Systems

• Semester 1, 2004
• Sciences / Maths Computing
• USQ

2
Staffing

• Stephen Braithwaite Tutor
• braithwa_at_
• D108, 4631 5566
• David Lai Moderator
• lai_at_
• D121, 4631 5561
• Stijn Dekeyser Examiner
• dekeyser_at_
• D315, 4631 1542

3
Web support

• Course Home Page
• www.sci.usq.edu.au/courses/csc3400/
• E-mail aliases
• csc3400_at_, dl.csc3400_at_, sb.csc3400_at_
• Notices on Course Home Page
• Discussion Groups via Study Desk
• for students
• occasional moderation

4
Timetable

• Lectures
• Mondays (2-4pm) and Thursdays (4-5pm)
• Practicals
• 4 sessions per week
• choose your session via S.E.T.S system(access
  SETS via USQConnect)
• Starts WEEK 3 (15-19 March) (not week 2)
• Consultations see my timetable
• Clashes?

5
Course Objectives

• Have a good understanding of the relational model
• Be able to use relational algebra and calculus
  correctly
• Be able to query and update databases via SQL
• Understand and apply database design principles
  correctly

6
Main Topics

• The entity-relationship model 15
• The relational algebra and calculus 20
• The SQL language 25
• Relational database design 25
• Query processing 15

7
Materials

• Books
• Connolly, T and Begg, C 2002, Database Systems,
  A Practical Approach to Design, Implementation
  and Management, 3rd edition, Addison Wesley
• Introductory Book, course csc3400, USQ
• Study Book, course csc3400, USQ
• Software
• MySQL (free database server Win32 Linux)

8
Assessment Details

• Assignments 40
• Ass1 15 29/3
• Ass2 25 17/5
• Examination 60

9
Requirements (1/2)

• Bottom line
• Complete all assignments
• Obtain at least 50 for each assignment
• Sit for the exam
• Obtain at least 50 for the exam
• 49 will not pass!
• Supplementary Exams
• Not submitting an assignment will mean failure!
• Attendance Not compulsory (lectures and
  practicals)
• Pre-requisites (recd) mat1101, csc2401

10
Requirements (2/2)

• Assignments
• Only printed assignments accepted
• Assignment box at D block
• Plagiarism zero tolerance
• Late assignments over the weekend is OK,
  otherwise 10 penalty per day
• I only accept late assignments at my office
• Communication
• Check webpage once a week (minimum!)
• Ask questions during consultation times
• Read your Introductory Book!