CS 327E

Elements of Databases

Summer 2025

 

Welcome to CS 327E. I’m very glad you’re here!

 

I would like to take a few moments to share some insight on the purpose of this course. It is designed with the goal of giving students a practical introduction to databases and data management systems. As a student in this course, you will be expected to master a considerable amount of information about database management systems.

 

We will construct multiple databases for operational purposes throughout the term. The work will be done on Google Cloud Platform using a variety of database technologies and data science tools, which include MySQL, Postgres, BigQuery, Spanner, Firestore, MongoDB, Neo4j, Jupyter Notebooks, and Looker Studio. We will also use GitHub for our code.

 

We are diverse in many ways, and this diversity is fundamental to building and maintaining an inclusive campus community, as well as to give our class its strength. It is my belief that every student who has enrolled in this course has the ability to succeed in it. Each of you will decide how much time and effort will be necessary on your part in order to succeed; as for me, I will be glad to provide the necessary support. Please know that I enjoy talking and interacting with students.

 

I look forward to getting to know you and working with you throughout the term.

 

Course delivery mode:

This is a face-to-face course, delivered via in-person lectures, at the class scheduled times in the room shown below. Class attendance is mandatory, and it contributes to the final grade. Exams will be given in person, at the indicated dates & times per the schedule.

This course is using the Lectures Online recording system. This system records the audio and video material presented in class for you to review after class. Links for the recordings will appear in the Lectures Online navigation tab on the Canvas site (along the left side navigation). To review a recording, simply follow the instructions presented to you on the page. You can learn more about how to use the Lectures Online system at:

https://sites.la.utexas.edu/lecturesonline/students/how-to-access-recordings/

Class recordings are reserved only for students in this class for educational purposes and are protected under FERPA. The recordings should not be shared outside the class in any form. Violation of this restriction by a student could lead to Student Misconduct proceedings.

 

Class lectures:

84940: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in room GDC 5.302

 

 

Instructor:

Dr. J. Marcos Palacios

Office: GDC 5.418 (see a map on our Canvas 'Contact Information' page)

Email: mpalacio@cs.utexas.edu

(Please DO NOT expect email replies during the weekends OR after 6 PM any weekday.)

 

Office hours:

Tue, Thu from 12-1 PM

Other times (class days only): By appointment via email/Ed Discussion.

 

Teaching Assistant:

Muhammad Muaz

mmuaz@cs.utexas.edu

Office and office hours at our Canvas 'Contact Information' page.

 

Course materials and communication:

We will be relying heavily on Canvas, UT's Learning Management System. Each week, we will post to Canvas the topics, assignments, and assessments for that week. All course materials will be available on the Canvas site.

The Ed Discussion Q&A platform will be used for class communication and discussions. This platform is highly catered to getting you help fast and efficiently from classmates and the teaching team. Rather than emailing content or assignment clarification questions directly to us, we encourage you to post questions on Ed Discussion: Feel free to answer them too!

Please check Canvas and Ed Discussion regularly. We will assume that any announcement we send on Canvas, Ed Discussion, or directly to your email (either your CS account or your official school email) will be read within 24 hours. If you don’t feel like checking multiple messaging websites, make sure your notifications are properly set up on Canvas and check your email regularly. Read the policy here.

Please DO NOT send us messages via Canvas since they might not get a prompt reply.

Emails to the teaching team should begin with "CS327E:" in the subject line, followed by a brief description of the purpose of your email. Using Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, text messages, calling a mobile phone, or other forms of informal communication should not be used to communicate with us regarding the course material.

 

Textbooks:

There are two highly suggested textbooks for this course:
Alan Beaulieu, Learning SQL, Third Edition, 2020, O'Reilly Media.
Dan Sullivan, NoSQL for Mere Mortals, First Edition, 2015, Addison-Wesley.

Notice the additional links for each textbook on our Canvas 'Course Information' page.

 

Prerequisites:

The course assumes a programming background and in particular, a solid working knowledge of Python scripting. As such, the prerequisites for this course are CS 303E, CS 307, CS 313E, CS 314, or CS 314H with a grade of at least C-. Familiarity with SQL is also helpful, but not required.

 

Course Description:

A practical introduction to database management systems, with discussion of database administration and management. Survey of logical modeling, database design with a focus on relational databases, SQL query language, and current applications. Subjects may include data integrity, performance, concurrency, transaction processing, recovery, security, and Web applications.

This course studies concepts of database design and database system implementation. It emphasizes data models, database design theory, query processing, concurrency control, and distributed databases. Its main goal is to learn modern data management principles and data processing techniques through a mix of best practices, experimentation, and problem solving.

 

Course Objectives:

Upon course completion, the student is expected to:

 

Course Outline:

·      Data Models and Databases

·      Relational Databases

·      Relations, Tables, Queries

·      Querying Multiple Tables

·      Transactions

·      Big Data

·      Consistency

·      NoSQL Databases

·      Key-Value Pair Databases

·      Document Databases

·      Column Family Databases

·      Graph Databases

·      Emerging Database Technologies

 

Grading Policy:

There will be NO extra-credit work. The final grade will be calculated using the plus/minus grading system, per the official course grading scheme of the university, as shown below.

Table Description automatically generated

 

Exams:

There will be 2 midterm exams (and no final exam) to test your understanding of the material being covered. They will be given on the date indicated on the schedule. They will include multiple-choice, true/false, short answer, and DB design, project-related, coding questions. The exams will be done on paper, with closed books, slides, and notes. There will be take-home quizzes to help you prepare for the midterms.

If you foresee an exam-time conflict, tell your instructor in advance (at least two weeks!).

 

Projects:

There will be 6 projects, each one due as indicated in the course schedule (and clearly marked on Canvas). They are designed to exercise important concepts in the course material, and they are aimed at giving you hands-on practice with the selected database systems. They will require outside-class time to complete.

All projects will be carried out in groups of two students. You will form groups at the start of the semester and work with the same partner throughout the term. If one partner stops contributing to the group's work, the other partner is responsible for informing the instructor and a meeting will be scheduled to resolve the issue. Both students will receive the same grade for each project.

Late projects are eligible for partial credit although they will not be accepted without prior arrangements (i.e., letting the instructor know in advance). Note that late projects will incur a penalty of 20% per day, for up to 2 days, after which time they will not be accepted.

All projects must run on the prescribed platforms. You will need to be able to access those platforms in order to prepare and test your project work. Do not include code obtained from the Internet, or any other source, in your project submissions. Do not post your solutions anywhere on the Internet. The penalty for either of these violations will be a zero grade for the assignment.

 

Home Quizzes:

There will be a number of take-home quizzes (think of them as homework) via Canvas. Their main purpose is to help you understand and learn the material better, as well as to prepare you for the midterm exams. Note that late homework assignments will incur a penalty of 20% per day, for up to 1 day, after which time they will not be accepted. Always make sure to click 'submit' on your quiz and don't rely on Canvas' auto-submit feature!! (*)

 

In-class Quizzes:

There will be a number of in-class, pop quizzes about material recently covered, as well as participation surveys. Missed pop quizzes or surveys will not be made up. (*): See above.

Note that you are required to attend and participate in all class lectures. Some of the material for this course will be covered ONLY in the lectures (and not in the textbooks). For this reason, class attendance is essential to your success. If you have to miss class for any reason, please provide me with the appropriate documentation, yet you will still be responsible for the material covered in your absence.

 

Acknowledgments:

This course is generously supported by Google through giving us access to Google Cloud Platform.

 

Change of Grade:

If you think your grade was given in error, you may contact us with a grade change request. See the rules on requesting a regrade (on Canvas) for more information.

 

Withdrawals / drops:

You must follow the withdrawal and drop policy set up by the University and the College of Natural Sciences. You are responsible for making sure that the drop process is complete. For more information, visit https://onestop.utexas.edu/registration-and-degree-planning/registering-for-classes/add-drop-a-course/.

 

Sharing of Course Materials:

No materials used in this course may be shared online or with anyone outside of the class unless you have the instructor’s explicit, written permission. Such materials include, but are not limited to, lecture hand-outs, videos, assessments (quizzes, exams, surveys, projects, homework assignments), in-class materials, review sheets, and additional problem sets. Unauthorized sharing of materials promotes academic dishonesty, and UT CS is aware of Internet sites used for sharing materials. Any course materials found online that are associated with you, or any suspected unauthorized sharing of materials, will be reported to Student Conduct and Academic Integrity in the Office of the Dean of Students. These reports can result in sanctions, including a failing grade in the course.

 

Policy on Academic Integrity:

You are expected to adhere to the University of Texas at Austin’s Student Honor Code. See the Standards of Conduct at: https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/conduct/standardsofconduct.php.

Students who violate University rules on academic integrity are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and / or dismissal from the University. Since academic dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity of the University, policies on academic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. For further information, please visit the Student Conduct and Academic Integrity website at: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/conduct.

 

Discussion of course material and assignments are encouraged between students. However,

you must write-up your answers and solutions on your own. You must also write the names of other students with whom you collaborated on any assignment. Any attempts at obtaining program or exam solutions from “note sharing sites” such as Chegg and CourseHero, or from other similar sources, are considered cheating and carry the same penalty.

 

The minimum penalty for any student caught cheating is a zero on the assignment, an additional reduction in final grade for the course, and referral to the Dean of Students, who will record the incident and may impose additional penalties. Repeat or flagrant violations may result in failure of the course.

 

Classroom Behavior:

We must treat every individual with respect. We are diverse in many ways, and this diversity is fundamental to building and maintaining an equitable and inclusive campus community. Diversity can refer to multiple ways that we identify ourselves, including but not limited to race, color, national origin, language, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, belief, ancestry, veteran status, or genetic information. Each of these diverse identities, along with many others not mentioned here, shape the perspectives that students, faculty, and staff bring to our campus. Unfortunately, incidents of bias or discrimination do occur, whether intentional or unintentional. They contribute to creating an unwelcoming environment for individuals and groups at the university. We must avoid them.

Therefore, civility in the classroom, being important for the educational process, is everyone’s responsibility. If you have questions about appropriate behavior in a particular class, please address them with your instructor first. Disciplinary procedures may be implemented for refusing to follow an instructor’s directive, refusing to leave the classroom if necessary, or refusing to implement health and safety measures as required by the university. Additionally, the instructor, in consultation with the department chair, may refer a student to the Office of the Dean of Students for further disciplinary review. Such reviews may result in consequences ranging from warnings to sanctions from the university.

 

Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to how we address each other, and we strive to address you in the ways you prefer. Class rosters are provided to instructors with the student's legal name, which may be updated via Texas One Stop (https://onestop.utexas.edu/student-records/personal-information/).

I will gladly honor your request to address you by a name that is different from what appears on the official roster. Please advise me of any changes early in the semester so that I may make appropriate updates to my records.

Per the American Association of University Professors (AAUP):

Texas Senate Bill 17 (SB 17), the recent law that outlaws diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at public colleges and universities in Texas, does not in any way affect content, instruction or discussion in a course at public colleges and universities in Texas. Expectations and academic freedom for teaching and class discussion have not been altered post-SB 17, and students should not feel the need to censor their speech pertaining to topics including race and racism, structural inequality, LGBTQ+ issues, or diversity, equity, and inclusion.

 

Accommodations for students with disability:

The university is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive learning environment consistent with university policy and federal and state law. Please let me know if you experience any barriers to learning so I can work with you to ensure you have equal opportunity to participate fully in this course.

If you are a student with a disability, or think you may have a disability, and need accommodations please contact Disability and Access (D&A). Please refer to D&A’s website for contact and more information: https://disability.utexas.edu/.

If you are already registered with D&A, I will contact you when I receive your Accommodation Letter so we can discuss your approved accommodations and needs in this course.

 

Religious Holy Days:

A student who misses classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day should inform the instructor as far in advance of the absence as possible so that arrangements can be made to complete an assignment within a reasonable period after the absence. A reasonable accommodation does not include substantial modification to academic standards, or adjustments of requirements essential to any program of instruction. Students and instructors who have questions or concerns about academic accommodations for religious observance or religious beliefs may contact the Department of Human Resources. The University does not maintain a list of religious holy days.

 

Campus Safety and Emergency Situations:

The following are recommendations regarding emergency evacuation from the Office of Emergency Management, 512-232-1604:

If you experience an emergency situation during the semester, Student Outreach and Support (SOS) is here to help you. They can help in the event of family emergencies, medical or mental health concerns, and interpersonal violence, among other situations. If you experience such an emergency, you may contact them directly through email (dosstudentsupport@austin.utexas.edu) or by phone (512-471-5017), or you may contact me to assist you with the process.

 

Sexual Misconduct Reporting (SB 212):

Beginning January 1, 2020, Texas Senate Bill 212 requires all employees of Texas universities, including faculty, report any information to the Title IX Office regarding sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking that is disclosed to them. Texas law requires that all employees who witness or receive any information of this type (including, but not limited to, writing assignments, class discussions, or one-on-one conversations) must be reported. If you would like to speak with someone who can provide support or remedies without making an official report to the university, please email advocate@austin.utexas.edu. For more information about reporting options and resources, visit https://titleix.utexas.edu/, contact the Title IX Office via email at titleix@austin.utexas.edu, or call 512-471-0419.

Although graduate teaching and research assistants are not subject to Texas Senate Bill 212, they are still mandatory reporters under Federal Title IX laws and are required to report a wide range of behaviors we refer to as sexual misconduct, including the types of sexual misconduct covered under Texas Senate Bill 212. The Title IX office has developed supportive ways to respond to a survivor and compiled campus resources to support survivors.

 

Our Mission:

The mission of The University of Texas at Austin is to achieve excellence in the interrelated areas of undergraduate education, graduate education, research and public service. The university provides superior and comprehensive educational opportunities at the baccalaureate through doctoral and special professional educational levels.

The university contributes to the advancement of society through research, creative activity, scholarly inquiry and the development and dissemination of new knowledge, including the commercialization of University discoveries. The university preserves and promotes the arts, benefits the state’s economy, serves the citizens through public programs and provides other public service.

 

Our Core Values:

Learning — A caring community, all of us students, helping one another grow.

Discovery — Expanding knowledge and human understanding.

Freedom — To seek the truth and express it.

Leadership — The will to excel with integrity and the spirit that nothing is impossible.

Individual Opportunity — Many options, diverse people and ideas, one university.

Responsibility — To serve as a catalyst for positive change in Texas and beyond.