Princeton University
Computer Science Dept.

Computer Science 425

Database & Information Management Systems

Andrea LaPaugh

Fall 2006


Directory
General Information | Schedule and Readings | Project Page | Announcements

Course Summary

This course studies systems for accessing, searching, and managing information.  We examine in detail the methods employed by database systems to manage structured data.   We also consider the organization and search of collections of semi-structured and unstructured information such as the Web and digital libraries, considering both the application of database concepts and  new models.  Correctness, performance, and system  requirements are considered throughout.  Some specific topics: the relational data model; the XML model; indexing; query construction and evaluation; transactions; search effectiveness.

Prerequisites

COS 217 and 226.

Administrative Information

Meeting time:  Mon., Wed., 1:30-2:50 pm
Meeting place: Friend Center 004
Extra meetings: If a class should be canceled, a make-up class will be scheduled during reading period and/or in the evening during the semester. Class participants will be consulted before any make-up class time is chosen.

Professor: Andrea LaPaugh, 304 CS Building, 258-4568, aslp@cs.princeton.edu,
Office hours:  Mondays 3-4pm or by appointment

Course secretary: Mitra Kelly, 323 CS building, 258-4562, mkelly@cs.princeton.edu

Reading

Required text: Raghu Ramakrishnan and Johannes Gehrke, Database Management Systems, Third Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2003.

Supplemental reading on reserve at Engineering Library

Communication

Assignments will be made available through the Schedule and Readings page of the course Web site. ``Handouts'' and copies of any transparencies used in class will be posted on the course Web site with links from the Schedule and Readings page.  Important announcements on all aspects of the course will be made on the Announcements page. Students are responsible for monitoring the  Schedule and Readings and Announcements pages.  Schedule changes will be made on the  Schedule and Readings  page and announced on Announcements page.

You are encouraged to use electronic mail to set up appointments, leave messages, and ask quick questions (like ``What was that reference you gave today in class?'' or ``I've been at McCosh Infirmary all week; can I have an extension on my assignment?'') However, an old fashioned face-to-face meeting is still best for clarifying confusions and other technical discussions.

Work of the Course

The course will have the following components weighted as indicated:

Problem sets

There will be 6 problem sets distributed throughout the semester. Most will be written work, although you may be asked to write a few short programs.

Exams

There will be two take-home exams, each of equal weight.  Each exam covers the material of roughly one half of the semester. 

Project

Each student will do a final project of his or her choosing related to the material of the course. This project may be done in pairs. The project must be approved in advance by the course instructor. See the project page for more information and a list of suggested projects.  

A.S. LaPaugh Thu Oct  5 16:35:00 EDT 2006