Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC)

I confirm:____________________

Digital technologies and applied informatics

head of the department: Acad. A.M. Abbasov

_____ ____________ 2025

"DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS" course working

SYLLABUS

I. Information about the subject

Subject code:

Type of subject: core

Academic year: 2024/2025

Academic semester: spring

Form of education: visual

Faculty: Digital economy

Group: 560-i

Study load: 60 hours (30/30)

Number of credits:

II. Information about the teacher

Teacher teaching the subject: Kamran Huseynov

Department: Digital technologies and applied informatics

E-mail address:

Business phone:
Admission times for students:

III. Description of the subject

Database Management Systems (DBMS) is a fundamental subject that introduces students to

database concepts, architectures, and the design and implementation of database systems. The
course provides an overview of relational database models, SQL, normalization techniques,
transaction management, indexing, and security mechanisms. Students will gain hands-on
experience in designing and working with databases using DBMS tools.

IV. The purpose and tasks of the subject

The purpose of teaching this subject is to provide students with a comprehensive

understanding of databases, their structures, and their management systems. Key topics
covered include relational models, data integrity, database normalization, transaction
processing, and query optimization.

The objectives of the course are:

 To understand the fundamental concepts of databases and database management

systems.
 To learn how to design relational databases using ER models and normalization
techniques.
 To gain proficiency in SQL for database creation, querying, and modification.
 To explore transaction management, concurrency control, and database security
principles.

V. Learning outcomes of the course

After completing this course, students will be able to:

 Design and implement relational databases using ER modeling and normalization.

 Write SQL queries for data retrieval, modification, and administration.
 Apply indexing and query optimization techniques.
 Understand and implement transaction management and concurrency control.
 Ensure database security and integrity.
 Develop simple database applications.

VI. Lecture topics of the subject

1. Introduction to Database Management Systems

2. Database System Architecture
3. Relational Model and Relational Algebra
4. SQL – Data Definition and Data Manipulation
5. ER Model and Database Design
6. Normalization and Functional Dependencies
7. Indexing and Hashing
8. Transaction Management and Concurrency Control
 9. Database Recovery Techniques
10. Database Security and Integrity
11. Distributed Databases and Cloud Databases
12. NoSQL Databases
13. Database Performance Tuning
14. Case Studies and Practical Applications
15. Data Warehousing and Data Mining

VII. Prerequisites

Fundamentals of Programming – 1, Fundamentals of Programming – 2 subjects.

VIII. Teaching methodology of the subject

The course will be taught through a combination of lectures, interactive discussions, hands-on
exercises, group projects, case studies, and assessments. Students will also work on real-
world database problems using modern database management tools.

IX. Main Textbook and Literature

1. Ramez Elmasri, Shamkant B. Navathe, "Fundamentals of Database Systems," 7th

Edition, Pearson, 2015.
2. Abraham Silberschatz, Henry F. Korth, S. Sudarshan, "Database System Concepts,"
7th Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2019.
3. C. J. Date, "An Introduction to Database Systems," 8th Edition, Pearson, 2004.
4. Jeffrey D. Ullman, Jennifer Widom, "A First Course in Database Systems," 3rd
Edition, Pearson, 2008.
5. Thomas Connolly, Carolyn Begg, "Database Systems: A Practical Approach to
Design, Implementation, and Management," 6th Edition, Pearson, 2015.

X. Lecture Texts of the Subject

All lecture texts and presentations for the subject, as well as the necessary practice materials,
are available in electronic format on the University’s website under the "Virtual University"
section (www.vu.aseu.az).

XI. Content of topics and educational-thematic division

Each topic includes a combination of theoretical explanations and practical exercises. Hands-
on activities involve SQL queries, schema design, transaction simulations, and security
configurations.

XII. Seminars and workshops preparation and assessment

Students must actively participate in seminar sessions by analyzing case studies, engaging in
discussions, and solving database-related problems. Assessments include activity scores,
assignments, and a midterm exam.

XIII. Course work on the subject

 Course work is not provided for this subject.

XIV. Class attendance

A 75% attendance limit is applied to students. Exceeding this limit results in disqualification
from the final exam.

XV. Midterm assessment

A midterm exam will be conducted in the form of tests, written assignments, or oral
presentations, covering all the topics taught until that point.

XVI. Final assessment of the subject

The students' final knowledge in the subject is assessed on a 100-point system, with an exam
making up 80% and seminar participation contributing 20% of the total score.

Final Grade Distribution:

 91-100 points: A (Excellent)

 81-90 points: B (Very Good)
 71-80 points: C (Good)
 61-70 points: D (Sufficient)
 51-60 points: E (Satisfactory)
 Below 51 points: F (Insufficient)

Compiled by: author, PhD. Kamran Huseynov

Exam Questions

s/s Mövzu Sualın mətni

1. 01 What does SQL stand for, and what is it used for?

2. 01 How is data stored in a relational database?

What is the main difference between relational (SQL) and non-

3. 01
relational (NoSQL) databases?

What happens if you try to insert data into a column with a

4. 01
mismatched data type?
 Explain the difference between a primary key and a foreign key
5. 01
using an example of a "Books" and "Authors" table.

6. 02 What is the primary purpose of DBMS architecture?

7. 02 Give an example of a 1-Tier Architecture system.

How does the 2-Tier Architecture differ from the 1-Tier

8. 02
Architecture?

Why is 3-Tier Architecture considered more secure than 2-Tier

9. 02
Architecture?

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using a 3-Tier

10. 02
Architecture for a large e-commerce website.

How does relational algebra help in structuring and querying

11. 03 relational databases? Can you explain its significance compared to
SQL?

What is the difference between the Selection (σ) and Projection (π)
12. 03 operators? Can you provide a real-world example where each would
be useful?

How do set operations like Union (U), Set Difference (-), and
13. 03 Intersection (∩) work in relational algebra? Can you describe a
scenario where each of these would be useful?

Joins are fundamental to relational databases. How does a natural

14. 03 join (⋈) differ from a Cartesian product (X)? Can you describe a
situation where a natural join is preferable?

Relational algebra provides the foundation for relational query

languages like SQL. However, it operates differently from SQL in
15. 03 several ways. What are some key differences between relational
algebra and SQL in terms of query execution, expressiveness, and
usability?

What are the five main categories of SQL commands, and what are
16. 04
their primary functions?

How does the SELECT statement in DQL help retrieve data from a
17. 04
database, and how can conditions be applied to filter results?
 DDL commands like CREATE, ALTER, and DROP modify
18. 04 database structures. Can you describe a scenario where each of these
commands would be used?

What is the role of Transaction Control Language (TCL) in database

management? How do COMMIT, ROLLBACK, and SAVEPOINT
19. 04 help maintain data integrity?

Imagine you are managing a multi-user database system. How

would you use a combination of DCL (Data Control Language) and
20. 04
TCL (Transaction Control Language) to ensure both security and
consistency in the database?

21. 05 What does an ER diagram represent in a database?

22. 05 Which shape is used to represent an entity in an ER diagram?

What is the difference between a strong entity and a weak entity?

23. 05
Provide an example of each.

Explain the concept of cardinality in a relationship and list the four

24. 05
types.

A company stores information about its employees and their

dependents. Employees have a unique ID, but dependents do not.
25. 05
Explain how this can be represented in an ER diagram, including the
types of entities and relationships involved.

26. 06 What is a functional dependency in a database?

What is the primary purpose of normalization in relational database

27. 06
design?

What are the main differences between first normal form (1NF) and
28. 06
second normal form (2NF)?

Explain what a transitive dependency is and how it affects the third

29. 06
normal form (3NF).

Why is it necessary to eliminate transitive dependencies in a

30. 06 database, and how can this improve data integrity and efficiency?
Provide an example.