This course is the second course in database management. It introduces concepts, approaches, and techniques required for the design and implementation of database management systems.

In this course, we go "under the hood" to learn how a relational database management system is built. Students will learn the issues involved in designing efficient database systems, and the strategies, data-structures, and algorithms used in the implementation of such systems. Additionally, we shall also explore some advanced topics in databases.

The course is designed in three parts: the physical database, query processing, and advanced topics. Specific contents include the following.

The grading policy is standard. Collaboration and discussion on the assignments is fine. Note however, that unless you work through the exercises yourself, you will not get much benefit from them.

York University's rules for academic honesty and plagiarism always remain in effect.

There will be assignment sets through the semester. You will get a check-mark for turning in each assignment. The assignments, however, will not be graded. It is important to put effort into the assignments, however, for understanding of the materials, and because similar problems will appear on the exams. Solutions to assignment sets will be made available after the turn-in dates for study purposes.

All written work for the assignments need not be typed; but if you hand-write them, you must write legibly for credit. Late assignment sets will be accepted with 25% credit reduction for each day overdue.

Choose a topic for your presentation or report from the provided list. The class presentation should be prepared as a 30 minute presentation to be made to the class. Thus the audience for the presentation is the rest of the class. The objective is to introduce them to the topic that you are covering (for example, object-oriented databases) so they have an understanding of what the subject is about. So a general overview is appropriate. For the presentation, do not go into any of the details of the paper(s). These details would be too in-depth for the class presentation.

Exams must be taken when scheduled. If a student misses the midterm and has a medical documentation or can demonstrate special circumstances, his/her final exam will count for 70% of the total grade.

Class attendance is important as the student will have an opportunity to ask for clarification of course and text material. There will be problem solving sessions during each class period so that students gain experience applying the theory in practice.

Plagiarism is defined as taking the language, ideas, or thoughts of another, and representing them as your own. If you use someone else's ideas, cite them. If you use someone else's words, clearly mark them as a quotation. Note that plagiarism includes using another's computer programs or pieces of a program. All instances of plagiarism will be reported.

These policies are not intended to keep students from working with other students. One can learn much working with other, so this is to be encouraged. Should you encounter any situations for which you are uncertain whether such collaboration is permitted or not, please ask.