6.830: Database Systems (Fall 2008)

Units: 3-0-9 (H)
When: TR 12:30-2:00
Where: 32-155
Instructors: Samuel Madden (madden AT csail.mit.edu)
Michael Stonebraker (stonebraker AT nms.csail.mit.edu)
Instructor office hours: by appointment
TAs: Evan Jones (evanj AT mit.edu)
Adam Marcus (marcua AT csail.mit.edu)
TA office hours when: TBA
TA office hours where: TBA

Announcements

8/6/08: Website created. First class meeting is Thursday, September 4th.

Description

This course relies on primary readings from the database community to introduce graduate students to the foundations of database systems, focusing on basics such as the relational algebra and data model, schema normalization, query optimization, and transactions. It is designed for students who have taken 6.033 (or equivalent); no prior database experience is assumed though students who have taken an undergraduate course in databases are encouraged to attend.

Classes consist of lectures and discussions based on readings from the database literature. Grades are assigned based on a semester long project, as well as two exams and 6 assignments -- 3 labs and 3 problem sets -- of varying length. For more information about the readings and assignments, use the links at the top of the page.

Last change: 8/6/2008.