Established by: Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 2025-01-22
Contents
This course gives the student insight into the techniques that underpin modern database systems as well as their application. The course delves into the data structures and algorithms to support efficient data access, query optimization and transaction processing. The course also covers temporal and spatial databases as well as the modern data stack. Finally, the course touches on using LLMs to support RAG and text-to-SQL. Students explore their own particular interests in these wide ranging fields through student initiated final projects.
The course is divided into two parts: Part 1, principles, 4 hp and Part 2, application, 3.5 hp.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding After completing the course, the student should be able to:
(FSR 1) exhibit competence in selected advanced SQL techniques (e.g. triggers, data cubes, authorization, etc.) for relational database systems,
(FSR 2) in precise technical terms, describe and contrast the various data structures and algorithms employed for internal storage in database-management systems,
(FSR 3) comprehend the algorithms used for internal optimization of SQL queries in modern database-management systems,
(FSR 4) exhibit an understanding of the properties and use of concurrency models for transactions in modern database-management systems,
(FSR 5) explain common approaches to representing and querying spatial and temporal data,
(FSR 6) discuss the modern data stack, including its tools and processes.
Competence and skills After completing the course, the student should be able to:
(FSR 7) compute quality parameters, such as size and performance, for physical representations of relational data,
(FSR 8) identify appropriate isolation levels for a set of transactions for a given use case,
(FSR 9) integrate LLMs to support Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and text-to-SQL.
Required Knowledge
At least 90 ECTS, including 60 ECTS Computing Science. At least 15 ECTS programming, including 7.5 ECTS object-oriented programming; 7.5 ECTS data structures and algorithms; and 7.5 ECTS databases. Proficiency in English equivalent to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.
Form of instruction
Instruction consists of lectures and mandatory assignments. In addition to scheduled activities, individual work with the material is also required.
Examination modes
Part 1, Principles, has a maximum 100 points and consists of four recitations (20 points each) and a short exam (20 points). The recitations are done by handing in a written solution to given problems and then participating in the recitations. Students are randomly chosen to present their solutions and the other students are expected to discuss and contribute to the solutions presented. The short exam is a written exam in halls. The grade scale is Fail (U), Pass (3) or Pass with Merit (4), or Pass with Distinction (5).
Part 2, Practice, is based on project work.The grades given are Fail (U) or Pass (G). Projects are done in groups of 1-4 persons and consists of
a proposal phase (a written report),
a presentation phase (a presentation done as a video uploaded to the course website together with a written report),
an assessment phase (where the students should do an evaluation of their own and all other projects and hand in a summary of the evaluations)
On the course as a whole, the grades given are Fail (U), Pass (3) or Pass with Merit (4), or Pass with Distinction (5). The grade is determined by the grade on part 1.
Adapted examination The examiner can decide to deviate from the specified forms of examination. Individual adaptation of the examination shall be considered based on the needs of the student. The examination is adapted within the constraints of the expected learning outcomes. A student that needs adapted examination shall no later than 10 days before the examination request adaptation from the Department of Computing Science. The examiner makes a decision of adapted examination and the student is notified.
Other regulations
This course may not be used towards a degree, in whole or in part, together with another course of similar content. If in doubt, consult the student counselors at the Department of Computing Science and / or the program director of your program. In particular, this course can not, in whole or in part, be used in a degree together with 5DV187 Database System Principles.
If the syllabus has expired or the course has been discontinued, a student who at some point registered for the course is guaranteed at least three examinations (including the regular examination) according to this syllabus for a maximum period of two years from the syllabus expiring or the course being discontinued.
