Welcome to CS 342, Database Systems, at Calvin College. This course introduces the range of concepts, issues and technologies in the development of information systems. Students who complete this course will demonstrate that they can:

• Explain, compare and contrast the following models and techniques and use them to design and implement a database:
  • Entity-Relationship modeling
  • Object-Oriented modeling
  • Relational modeling
  • Functional dependencies and normalization
• Use the following techniques and technologies to design and implement a relational database query:
  • Relational algebra and calculus
  • SQL
  • Query optimization
• Design and implement a database application using the following tools and techniques:
  • Stored procedures
  • Database APIs
  • Transaction processing
  • Object-relational mapping
• Do the following with respect to post-relational database systems:
  • Explain, compare and contrast relational and post-relational systems.
  • Design and implement a noSQL database application.

The course is based on Oracle and Java technologies. It discusses the responsibilities of a reformed Christian in the face of the social and ethical issues raised by the development and use of large data sets.