Instructor
CS 245 Advanced Database
Office Hours
Gerald Sampson
Monday through Friday 1:30-3:30 PM
Course Description
We will cover a number of advanced topics in database management systems and modern
database applications. The specific topics include advanced concurrency control techniques,
query processing and optimization strategies for relational database systems, advanced indexing
methods, parallel and distributed database systems, next-generation data models, data mining on
large databases, data on the web, and topics in data security and privacy.
In addition to learning about advanced topics in databases, this course will also give you the
opportunity to practice important research skills:
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You will gain experience reading and critically evaluating original research papers.
You will practice communicating complex technical material, both orally and in written
form.
The course project will consist of a (small-scale) original research project.
The prerequisite for this course is CS 231 offered in the Fall quarter, equivalent coursework, or
permission from the instructor.
Lecture Time and Place
This class is supposed to meet at 12:30 pm in room 1120 but since we only have 3 students you
will work this class as an arranged class. We will meet every Friday in Room 1121 to have a
student presentation on that weeks reading and a quiz. If you cannot make it that class you will
take a zero for that quiz and the participation points. You will be allowed to throw one quiz
scores out for the quarter the average of other 7 quizzes will be the 40% of your grade so you
want to make sure you understand the material.
Textbook
There is no official textbook for this course in the bookstore. The Textbook: Database Systems
Eighth Edition ISBN 1-4239-0201-7 Course Technology Publisher Peter Rob is the author if you
want to purchase it. I have a spare copy in my office that you can share or photocopy if you
want. The first week we will be reading a web paper
http://philip.greenspun.com/panda/databases-choosing. This is a reference paper on the
background of databases and how they apply to the Internet. I will also post other materials or
extra credit on the Angel website for this course at angel.wwcc.edu. To login to your class you
will use your school SID and the first 5 letters of your last name as your password
I will assume that you are familiar with the introductory-level material covered by CS235
Introduction to Databases, and I will occasionally suggest review readings from the textbook
used in that course. You do not need to purchase this book because
Paper Presentations and Discussion
The majority of this course will be conducted as a seminar. A typical class on Friday will include
a student presentation (approximately 25 minutes) and a student-led discussion (approximately
25 minutes) of the chapter or designated paper(s) that we read that week. Each student will be
assigned to present papers and lead discussions several times throughout the quarter.
When you present a paper, your goals should be as follows:
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Motivate the paper, and provide background. Why is this paper important? What problem
does it solve? In some cases, you may find it useful to refer to related material (e.g., from
the textbook), and to explain how the concepts in the assigned paper advance the state of
the art.
Provide an overview of the paper's key contributions.
Illustrate key technical points. (Examples are a great way to do this.)
You will need to strive for balance in your presentation. It is important to realize that there will
not be time to cover all of the technical details, so you will need to decide which details are most
important. Here are some additional pointers on giving a good talk.
To help you in developing your paper presentations, I can meet with you at 2:00 PM the
following Wednesday. Email me at sampsog@msn.com or text me at 509-540-8573 to setup an
appointment. When it is your turn to present, you must be prepared this means that you have read
the paper ahead of time and have your slides on jump drive. Please create your slides in
PowerPoint using this template. After your presentation, I will post your slides on the course
website.
Please note that I view preparation and organization as the most important aspects of your paper
presentations. Your grade will be based on these factors, as well as the extent to which you distill
the important points from the paper or chapter you presenting on, not on your public speaking
skills. Nonetheless, here is some good advice.
Paper Reactions
The other students are expected to read the assigned Chapter or paper before class. This serves
three purposes: (1) It gets you thinking about the paper before class, and (2) It helps provide
material to the discussion leader (3) and it will help your score on the quiz at the end of class.
Course Project
A big component of this course is a class project. For this project, you will choose a research
topic in the area of database management, and explore it in detail. Projects can range from quite
theoretical to heavy implementation, and should include some component of original work. In
other words, survey articles are not permitted. You may choose to implement an existing
algorithm or technique, but this should be done in order to conduct a unique experiment, or to
test a novel hypothesis. If you have questions about what constitutes a research project, please
see me. I will provide a list of topics that I find interesting. You are free to choose a project from
the list or to be creative in developing your own ideas.
You may do your project individually or with a partner, but the size of the project should be
proportional to the group size. If you work with a partner, each of you will receive the same
grade.
To get you started on the right track, you will be required to submit a project proposal early in
the quarter, and I will schedule a mandatory mid-quarter status meeting with each student/group.
I am always available during office hours to discuss projects, and you may also make
appointments at other times. It is extremely important to take initiative early in the quarter to
explore the topic you choose, or you are unlikely to make much progress later on.
Grading
Quizzes: 40%
The quizzes will be in-class and are not open-book.
Project: 30%
Your project grade will be based primarily on your final paper and
presentation.
If you choose to work with a partner, both students will receive the same
grade.
Each student is expected to read the assigned paper(s) and to submit a
reaction for each paper by 8 PM the day before class.
Paper Reactions:
(You will receive full credit if you submit a reaction by the deadline,
10%
following the guidelines, and indicating that you have read the paper. I will
spot-check the discussion posts on a random basis.)
Each student will be assigned to present papers and lead discussions several
times during the semester.
Presentations will be graded on a scale of 0-3 as follows:
Class
Participation:
20%
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0 - Student fails to complete assigned presentation
1 - Presentation is disorganized, or lacking in important details
2 - Presentation is solid, and covers important points with reasonable
clarity (typical score)
3 - Presentation is exceptionally insightful (score given infrequently)
These scores will contribute 15% of your final grade.
The remaining 5% of your grade will be based on a qualitative assessment of
the value of your contributions in leading and participating in class
discussion.
Disabilities
Students with documented disabilities (including invisible disabilities) are encouraged to contact
the our disability coordinator Claudia Angus during the first two weeks of class.
Here is a schedule of presentations.
Jeff Schneider Chapter 12: Database Management Systems January
7th.
Claudia Johnson Chapter 7 introduction to (SQL) January 14th.
Zack Lore Chapter 8 Advanced SQL January 21st.
Jeff Schneider Chapter 9 Database Design January 28th.
Claudia Johnson Chapter 10 February 4th.
Zack Lore Chapter 11 February 11th.
Jeff Schneider Chapter 12 February 18th.
Claudia Johnson Chapter 13 February 25th.
Zack Lore Chapter 14 March 4th.
Jeff Schneider Chapter 15 March 11th.
Last week final presentations March 18th.