ECS 116: Databases for Non-Majors

Summary of Course Content:

Overview of Database Systems, Conceptual Modeling and Design, Entity-Relationship (E/R)
diagrams, Relational Model, Relational Algebra, Structured Query Language (SQL), File and
Index Structures, Query Evaluation, Transaction Concepts, Concurrency and Recovery, and
NoSQL Databases. An outline of the topics covered follows:

1. Overview of Database Systems
   1. Use of database systems
   2. Data models and database languages
   3. Architectures
2. Conceptual Modeling and Design
   1. Design issues
   2. Entity-Relationship (E/R) diagrams
   3. Mapping to tables
3. Relational Model
   1. Structure of the model
   2. Relational algebra
4. Structured Query Language (SQL)
   1. Basic concepts
   2. Simple and complex select statements, subqueries
   3. Aggregate and set functions
   4. Database modifications
5. File and Index Structures
   1. Organization of records in a file
   2. Indexing, B+ tree index files
6. Query Processing
   1. Query cost and cost estimation
   2. Selection, sorting and joins
   3. Query rewriting
7. Transaction Management
   1. Transaction concepts
   2. Concurrent execution, serializability
   3. Recovery
8. NoSQL Databases
   1. Google Bigtables and Firebase
   2. Amazon DynamoDB and Redshift
   3. MongoDB and Neo4j

Illustrative Reading:

Database Management Systems (DBMS), 3rd Edition. Raghu Ramakrishnan and J. Gehrke.
McGraw Hill, 2003, ISBN 0-07-246563-8

Potential Course Overlap:

This course overlaps in some material with ECS 165A and ECS 165B; however, ECS 165A/B go much deeper into the focused material. ECS 165A focuses on relational database theory and system while 165B focuses on non-relational models such as graph and spatial data along with nested query languages such XML and further covers advanced topics such as data integration and provenance. In contrast, this course in addition to introducing the basics of relational model system/theory, it focuses on practical applications of modern databases such as Bigtables, Firebase, Amazon DynamoDB, Redshift, MongoDB, Neo4; indeed a more hands-on/applied view of databases.

Final Exam:
Yes Final Exam