CDS 302: Scientific Data and Databases

CDS 302-K01: Scientific Data and Databases
(Fall 2024)

03:00 PM to 05:40 PM R

Mason Korea (119 Songdomunhwa-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, Korea) G204

Section Information for Fall 2024

Class Meetings: Every Thursday, 15:00 – 17:40 @Room TBD.

Prerequisite:  CDS 101 or CDS 130, or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

General Description:

This course focuses on applying various Database Management Systems (DBMS) and related tools in various contexts. The topics to be covered include using SQL for queries and data manipulation in a relational DBMS, structured data modeling and design, and DBMS topics such as indexing, hashing, file storage, and query processing. The course will include theoretical foundations and practical applications using real datasets. There will be in-class illustrations, examples, and lab assignments for storing, managing, and querying databases. Finally, the course will include discussions on more advanced topics beyond traditional Relational DBMS, including scientific data formats and semi-structured and unstructured data. Note that this is a writing-intensive course, so we will learn the basics of scientific writing, including how to write articles using LaTex as the preferred typesetting system.

The course is divided into weekly modules. All course materials (slides, reading materials, lab data rubrics, etc.) will be provided online via Blackboard (https://blackboard.gmu.edu/). This is a 3-credit-hour class. For each week, students should expect approximately 3 hours spent on online lectures and labs and 6 hours of independent study, such as textbook reading, lab assignments, and exam preparation, to earn a C grade.

Course Description:

By the end of the course, each student will:

•         Have a broad knowledge of fundamentals, theory, and applications of Database Management Systems.

•         Be able to articulate and effectively communicate concepts and ideas related to Data Management and Databases to experts, non-experts, and others in a professional environment.

•         Have the ability to appropriately apply the knowledge acquired in the course for hypothetical and real-world database design and management tasks.  

•         Have experience indexing, querying, mining, and visualizing data from scientific databases using SQL.

•         Have the necessary writing skills for creating scientific manuscripts, articles, and reports, using the appropriate math notations, tables, references, citations, etc.

•         Can use a high-level language (Python) to manipulate data in a Database Management System.

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Data and databases used by scientists. Includes basics about database organization, queries, and distributed data systems. Student exercises will include queries of existing systems, along with basic design of simple database systems. Offered by Computational & Data Sciences. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Writing Intensive in Major
Recommended Prerequisite: CDS 101 or CDS 130 or equivalent, or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.