A DataBase Management System (DBMS) is an indispensable tool for managing large amounts of data. Today, databases exist in just about every branch of science, technology and business. This course is oriented at introductory databases courses at leading US universities and it provides a comprehensive introduction to database design and application. The course provides practical experience in designing a database and working with a DBMS. Basic theoretical topics will also be discussed. Finally, the course provides a first overview of recent topics in the field of databases such as Data Warehousing, Data Mining and Internet database management. Recommended prior knowledge: basic programming skills.
Translate real-world data organization and constraints into a relational database design using Entity-Relationship models
Learn how to create, manipulate, and query databases using SQL
Understand the mathematical foundation of databases (relational algebra)
Understand how to tune databases for access efficiency, concurrent access and redundancy avoidance (normalformen)
Learn how data is stored and how to prevent data loss, and how indexes and file-organizations can be used to accelerate access to data
Get an overview of advanced techniques such as OLAP, data mining, and data warehousing
The most recent timetable can be found on the Student website:
You will find the timetables for all courses and degree programmes of Leiden University in the tool MyTimetable (login). Any teaching activities that you have sucessfully registered for in MyStudymap will automatically be displayed in MyTimetable. Any timetables that you add manually, will be saved and automatically displayed the next time you sign in.
MyTimetable allows you to integrate your timetable with your calendar apps such as Outlook, Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and other calendar apps on your smartphone. Any timetable changes will be automatically synced with your calendar. If you wish, you can also receive an email notification of the change. You can turn notifications on in ‘Settings’ (after login).
For more information, watch the video or go the the 'help-page' in MyTimetable. Pleas note: Joint Degree students Leiden/Delft have to merge their two different timetables into one. This video explains how to do this.
Mode of instruction
2 hours of lectures per week followed by 2 hours of practical/seminar led by an assistant(s) (including at least 5 lab sessions).
We will work with SQLlite, a database management system that works on all platforms and
A final exam will form 70% of the grade,
a group assignment and a mid-term test (with retake possibility) will form together 30% of final grade.. The teacher will inform the students about precise testing modalities during first lecture.
The test will take place during time scheduled for lecture and there will be a retake possibility for the test (not for the group assignment).
Ramakrishnan, R. & Gehrke, J. (2003). Database Management Systems (Vol. 3), McGraw-Hill.
Slides available on the webpage.
From the academic year 2022-2023 on every student has to register for courses with the new enrollment tool MyStudymap. There are two registration periods per year: registration for the fall semester opens in July and registration for the spring semester opens in December. Please see this page for more information. An exemption is the fall semester for 1st year bachelor students, the student administration will enroll this group.
Please note that it is compulsory to both preregister and confirm your participation for every exam and retake. Not being registered for a course means that you are not allowed to participate in the final exam of the course. Confirming your exam participation is possible until ten days before the exam.
Extensive FAQ on MyStudymap can be found here.