CSCC43: Introduction to Databases - Fall 2025

This course is about designing relational databases, building applications with database management systems (DBMSs), and understanding DBMS internals. Topics covered include entity relationship models, relational algebra, normalization theory, SQL, and implementation of relational databases. The course also includes a project where students design a realistic database following a design process, implement the design using SQL and an open-source DBMS, and evaluate the implementation with extensive testing.
Prerequisites: CSCB09 (or equivalent courses on computer science and systems foundations)
Textbook: Database Systems: The Complete Book (Second Edition)

Instructor
Qizhen Zhang
TA
Mohammad Kianpisheh
TA
Haoqian Zhang
TA
Lily Zhou

Lectures: Thursday 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, IA 2040
Discussions: Piazza

Tutorials: Office hours:

Tentative Schedule

     
Date Lecture Note
     
Sep. 4 Overview, E/R Diagrams First day of class
     
Sep. 11 E/R Diagrams, Relational Model, Functional Dependencies Project release
     
Sep. 18 Functional Dependencies, Normalization Project tasks release
     
Sep. 25 Relational Algebra Project task 1 due
     
Oct. 2 SQL Project task 2 due
     
TBD Midterm exam
     
Oct. 9 SQL Project task 3 due
     
Oct. 16 Constraints, Triggers, Views, Indices Project task 4 due
     
Oct. 23 Query Execution and Optimization
     
Oct. 30 No class (Reading week)
     
Nov. 6 Introduction to Transactions Nov. 11 - last day to drop the course
     
Nov. 13 Advanced SQL Topics
     
Nov. 20 NoSQL Databases
     
TBD Final exam
     
Nov. 29 Project demonstration on Zoom, Time TBD Project code/report due
     

Grading

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all the lectures and tutorials, which are supposed to be in-person only. Some materials covered in tutorials might not be taught in lectures but might be tested in the exams.

Late Policy

No late submissions are allowed. If you miss a submission deadline or an exam because of an emergency, fill out this form to request special consideration, and in case of a medical emergency, also email the instructor the UofT Student Medical Certificate, completed and signed by the doctor.
If the request is approved, the late submissions will be accommodated. The midterm exam, however, has no make-up test. If a missed midterm is approved, its mark is considered the same as the final exam mark.

Remarking Policy

If you believe there are mistakes in your project/exam marks, fill out this form and email the submission or exam to the instructor to request remarking. The request should be made no later than one week from the date the mark is released.

Collaboration Policy

No collaboration of any form is allowed on the exams, e.g., you may not copy a solution written by anyone else, or develop a solution together with another student/person. The project will be the group work of two students.
Any violation of these policies is considered cheating and will result in a zero grade for the project/exam and will be referred to the Academic Integrity Office. More information about academic integrity can be found at Academic Integrity Matters.

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