CS452: Learning Outcomes
For just those objectives with a scale, evaluate yourself: (1 is “no” and 5 is “yes”).
Foundational
 Know fundamental ideas about data and metadata.
1

2
3
4
5
Understand basic ideas about conceptual modeling and its relationship to ontology
(“What is the nature of a knowable thing?”), epistemology (“What do you know?”, “How
do you know it?”), and logic (reasoning over conceptual models).
1
2
3
4
5
Application
 Become familiar with the terminology and fundamental concepts of relational databases
and database management systems.
 Learn SQL well. This includes relational algebra and relational calculus as the basis for
SQL queries. It also includes embedding SQL in a high-level programming language, and
it includes triggers and transaction processing.
 Understand performance issues and optimization strategies. This includes query
rewriting, secondary storage characteristics, and access strategies.
 Be able to design and develop database applications. This includes conceptual
modeling and normalization theory.
1

2
3
4
5
Become familiar with some of the current challenges facing database professionals (e.g.
semi-structured data management, XML databases, information extraction, and semanticweb technology).
Integration
 Be able to leverage mathematics (discrete structures, in particular) to enhance
understanding of practical DB properties (e.g., set theory and relational algebra for
query processing; predicate calculus for query processing; hypergraphs, functions, and
relations for schema design).
1


2
3
4
5
Understand and know ways to overcome the impedance mismatch between nonprocedural query processing and procedural programming languages.
Know some of the issues in dealing with a myriad of data in different forms, in different
databases, and in different storage media all at the same time.
Human Dimension
 Assess self (interests & goals) with respect to the computerized world of data.
 Understand others as they grapple with the computerized world of data.
Caring
1
2
3
4
5
 Seek learning by study and also by faith.
 Seek a spirit of togetherness in learning.
 Care about dataits foundational notions, its application.
Learning to Learn
1
2
3
4
5
 Ask questions to learn (“seek and ye shall find”).
 Realize that learning is largely under your control.
 Know how to get help from learning material and from other people.
 Be able to read and use mathematics to support abstractions that, in turn, support
database applications.
Comments and suggestions: