Database Systems DBS20

Objectives: The course provides an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of database systems. It focuses on the relational data model and covers the following topics: relational algebra and calculus, SQL, relational database design, conceptual database design, physical database design, query processing and optimization, and transactions. The aims of this course are to learn the basic concepts underlying a database system; to understand how these concepts are implemented in concrete systems; and to get hands-on experience in using a database system. 

Teaching Format: The course consists of weekly lectures and labs. Every week an assignment is posted online and students are highly encouraged to solve this assignment prior to the next lab. The assignment is discussed in the lab one week after its publication.  Solving the assignments is the best preparation for the midterms and the final exam.

Evaluation: There are two midterms and the final exam. The midterms are optional but students are highly encouraged to attend them.  At the midterms and the final exam you are allowed to use one A4 sheet with your personal notes (both sides, hand written or printed) and a pocket calculator.  The midterm grades are only valid for the current year. The midterms and the final exam are graded from 1 to 6 with quarter grades. The final grade is the weighted average of the two midterm grades and the final exam grade. The weight of the midterms is 20% each, and the weight of the final exam is 60%. The midterm grades are only taken into consideration if they exceed the final exam grade.  

Consider relation schema Grades(sid, midterm1, midterm2, exam). The final grade is computed with the following SQL query and rounded to the next lower/higher quarter-grade:

SELECT
  *,
  (0.2 * GREATEST(midterm1, exam)) +
  (0.2 * GREATEST(midterm2, exam)) +
  (0.6 * exam) AS final_grade
FROM grades;

OLAT: All course-related information (inlcluding enrolment, lecture slides, assignments, etc.) will be published on our  OLAT course page.