The University of Western Ontario
Department of Computer Science

CS 853b -- XML Database Design and Implementation

Course Outline -- Fall 2005

Course Description

This course will explore the current literature on XML databases and related technologies. We will try to identify current solutions to such issues as storage, indexing and query processing, and identify potential research areas. Student will be expected to actively participate throughout the course.

 

Prerequisites

 

A good background in Database Management.  CS538a (CS411a) is highly recommended.

 

Instructor

 

Sylvia Osborn

MC378

Phone: 661-3992  email: sylvia at csd.uwo.ca

Office hours – tba

 

Course Details

 

Classes are scheduled for Mondays, 9:30-11:30,in MC320.

 

Reading Materials

 

Weekly readings will be assigned.  During the course, an extensive bibliography of relevant materials will be constructed.

 

Course Web Site


http://www.csd.uwo.ca/courses/CS853a 

Student Evaluation

 

Small XPath and XQuery assignment: 10%
Class Participation: 20%

            Every student will be required to make at least one presentation, summarizing one of the weekly readings. As well, every time a paper is presented, another student will be required to play the role of primary questioner, preparing at least 2 good questions to be posed to the class as a whole.  As well, students are expected to ask questions as much as possible.  All of these activities will be considered for this part of the mark.  Depending on  enrolment, students may also  be required to present their project.

 

Project: 70%

            Students will write a paper or do a prototype of something relevant to the course topic.

 

Ethical Conduct

Assignments

Academic dishonesty in assignments includes (but is not limited to):

Assignments that are judged to be the result of academic dishonesty will, for the student's first offence, be given a mark of zero with an additional penalty equal to the weight of the assignment also being applied. The assignment(s) in question will be kept by the Department.

We expect our students to conduct themselves academically in a manner that upholds the integrity and reputation of our academic programs. Cheating on assignments or exams is considered to be a serious violation of ethical conduct, and will not be tolerated.

Essays, Term Papers and Project Reports

Plagiarism is a serious academic offence. The UWO Senate Academic Handbook defines plagiarism as "The act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one's own mind." ( Excerpted from H.C. Black, Black's Law Dictionary, West Publishing Co., 1979, 5th ed., p. 1035.)

Students must write their essays and term papers in their own words. Whenever you take an idea or a passage of text from another author, you must acknowledge the source both by using quotation marks where appropriate, and by properly attributing it to the author by using a citation or footnotes. For further clarification of what constitutes plagiarism, refer to the paper titled "Collaboration, Plagiarism, and Proper Attribution" by Professor Jamie Andrews. If in doubt, consult with your instructor.