Students who are concerned about not meeting the prerequisites for this course are encouraged to contact the course coordinator before registering
Overview
Computer Science 418: Distributed Database Systems and Database Tuning is a senior-level database course. This follow-up course to COMP 378 focuses on advanced topics in database design, implementation, optimization, and distributed application. The course primarily covers database tuning, distributed database systems, and relevant techniques such as query optimization, transaction processing, and physical database design. It also covers some aspects related to database administration such as database security, concurrency control and crash recovery.
Outline
Computer Science 418 consists of the units listed below.
Unit 1: Data Storage and Indexing
Unit 2: Index Structures
Unit 3: Query Evaluation
Unit 4: External Sorting
Unit 5: Evaluation of Relational Operators
Unit 6: Query Optimization
Unit 7: Transaction Management
Unit 8: Concurrency Control
Unit 9: Crash Recovery
Unit 10: Physical Database Design and Tuning
Unit 11: Database Security
Unit 12: Distributed Database Systems
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to
explain the key concepts and techniques for database tuning and administration.
analyze and tune database systems for performance enhancement.
analyze and design distributed database systems.
implement principles and techniques for database secure access and crash recovery.
Evaluation
To receive credit for COMP 418, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent); a grade of at least 50 percent on the invigilated final examination; an average grade of 50 percent on the assignments. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1
15%
Assignment 2
15%
Assignment 3
15%
Assignment 4
15%
Final Online Exam
40%
Total
100%
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Raghu Ramakrishnan and Johannes Gerhrke. 2003. Database Management Systems, 3rd edition, McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 978-0071231510. (eText)
We use both an eText and other reading materials (both required and supplemental) in this course. The required text provides systematic and comprehensive knowledge; the other reading materials cover many state-of-the-art and in-depth topics the text does not.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the COMP 418 challenge, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination and an average grade of 50 percent on the assignments. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.