IEOR 215: Analysis and Design of Databases

Fall 2001 Syllabus
Professor: Ken Goldberg
Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (IEOR) Dept
University of California at Berkeley
Lectures: MW 2-3, 3102 Etcheverry Hall
Labs: F 1-2, 1173 Etcheverry
Web Page: www.ieor.berkeley.edu/~goldberg/

In this graduate course, we focus on the systematic design of databases and interfaces for commercial and industrial applications. Lectures focus on the relational database model, where a given set of data attributes can be arranged into many alternative designs. We use Chen's Entity-Relationship model to represent these alternatives and Normalization Theory to evaluate and improve designs. We introduce the relational algebra and SQL query languages. Student teams will complete a small Research Project on a current topic in information technology. Student teams will design and implement a relational database in the lab. To supplement the textbook, we will read papers and discuss advanced topics related to the Internet.
Administration
  1. Professor: Ken Goldberg, 4189 Etcheverry Hall. goldberg@ieor.berkeley.edu. Office Hours: M 3-4, W 4-5, or by appointment.
  2. Lab Adminstrator: Jay Sparks sparks@ieor.berkeley.edu. By Appointment.
  3. Textbook (required): R. A. Elmasri and S. B. Navathe, Fundamentals of Database Systems. NOTE: be sure to get the Third Edition! : Benjamin/Cummings, 1999.
  4. Other required readings will be handed out in class.
  5. Grading: based on:
  6. For Team Project 1 (Research Review). Using the Internet, find a relevant research paper published withing the last 3 years. The paper should address an algorithm used to process data for the Internet or another database application. In a 10-minute powerpoint presentation, each team will motivate the problem, describe one algorithm in detail, work through a detailed numerical example, and convey the strengths and weakness of this algorithm.
  7. Other: I welcome constructive criticism. Please email me with feedback on the course, teaching and format at any time during the term.

Tentative Schedule