De elektronische studiegids voor het academiejaar 2025 - 2026 is onder voorbehoud.





Database System Architecture (2181)
  
Coordinating lecturer :Prof. dr. Stijn VANSUMMEREN 

Language of instruction : English
Credits: 6,0
  
Period: semester 2 (6sp)
  
2nd Chance Exam1: Yes
  
Final grade2: Numerical
 
Sequentiality
 
   No sequentiality

Content

In contrast to the course "Databases" where we learned to design and question relational databases, the aim in this course is to gain a good insight into the different implementation aspects of database systems. Specifically, we take a look under the hood of relational database management systems and focus on query and transaction processing: We study the physical building blocks of database systems, including the different types of indices and physical operators. Armed with this knowledge, we study how a typical database system converts given SQL expressions into a logical query plan in the extended relational algebra, optimizes such plans and then selects an appropriate phyic query plan. Finally, we study how a database system can reliably deal with system errors and how it can offer competitive access to multiple users in an efficient way.


Organisational and teaching methods
Organisational methods  
Lecture ✔  
Small group session ✔  
Teaching methods  
Group work ✔  


Evaluation

Period 2    Credits 6,00

Evaluation method
Oral evaluation during teaching period25 %
Transfer of partial marks within the academic year✔
Conditions transfer of partial marks within the academic yearA passing score on this part in the first session is automatically retained for the second session.
Presentation✔
Written exam75 %
Closed-book ✔
Multiple-choice questions✔
Open questions✔
Additional information

The presentation in the oral examination concerns the reading, summarizing, and presentation of a contemporary research topic in database systems architecture, as well as the preparation of exercises and presentation of their solutions.

The report in the written final examination concerns a report of solved exercises and presentation of new material. 

Second examination period

Evaluation second examination opportunity different from first examination opprt
Yes
Explanation evaluationStudents who did not pass the oral evaluation part in the first session will be given an individual assignment in the second session.
 

Previously purchased compulsory textbooks
  Database Systems: The Complete Book,Garcia-Molina, Ullman, Widom


Learning outcomes
Master of Computer Science
  •  EC 

    • EC 1: A graduate of the Master of Computer Science programme has insight into the most important technological developments in the field of computer science and the underlying scientific principles.

  •  EC 

    • EC 2: A graduate of the Master of Computer Science programme is able to keep up with the evolution in the field of computer science (and related fields), to evaluate and to acquire new technologies.

  •  EC 

    • EC 3:  A graduate of the Master of Computer Science programme has the necessary knowledge and insights in at least one subdiscipline which allow to contribute to the development and the application of innovative ideas in a certain area of computer science (by deepening basic knowledge at bachelor level, including that of mathematical and other scientific foundations).

  •  EC 

    • EC 4: A graduate of the Master of Computer Science programme takes account of the limitations of computer science, such as the existence of undecidedness and the existence of important unresolved problems in computer science such as the P=NP problem.

  •  EC 

    • EC 7: A graduate of the Master of Computer Science programme is able to analyse and evaluate information in a critical manner and to process this information efficiently.

  •  EC 

    • EC 8: A graduate of the Master of Computer Science programme is able to communicate information, ideas and solutions to an audience of fellow computer scientists and to non-specialists by expressing him or herself on the proper level of abstraction.

  •  EC 

    • EC 9: A graduate of the Master of Computer Science programme is able to clearly report both orally and verbally on his or her work in a national and international context.

  •  EC 

    • EC 10: A graduate of the Master of Computer Science programme is able to work in team; he or she is able to distribute and coordinate the activities through cooperation in small and large groups.

  •  EC 

    • EC 12: A graduate of the Master of Computer Science programme is able to critically reflect his or her own approach, to account for this and to adjust his/her behaviour accordingly.

 
  EC = learning outcomes      DC = partial outcomes      BC = evaluation criteria  
Offered inTolerance3
exchange bachelor informatica K J
exchange master informatica K J
Master Computer Science profile Data Management J
Master of Computer Science choice J



1   Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.12.2, section 2.
2   Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.15.1, section 3.
3   Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.16.9, section 2.