CS-590A: Advances in Database Systems

Spring 2008

Instructor: Walid G. Aref
TuTh 12:00-1:15PM
Room: LWSN B134

                   Office Hours: Tuesdays 1:30-3:30PM
                   Phone: Ext. 41997
                   Email: aref@cs.purdue.edu

General:
CS590A is a research seminar course targeted for students who are interested to conduct research in the area of database systems.

Tentative topics to be covered include:

Spatiotemporal data management

Data stream management systems

Data management for e-Science

Peta-scale data management

Database preservation

Context-awareness in database systems

Privacy in database systems

Some of the ongoing projects and research activities at Purdue and other universities in the area of database systems will be presented and discussed. Students will be asked to present some interesting research papers and/or present their own research work. Students may also opt to perform a research project and present it at the end of the semester (talk to me regarding this option to agree on a project). The classes on Thursdays will be directed towards discussing with students the research projects they are conducting during the semester.

Grading:
There is no final or mid-term exams in this course. The course grade will be based on the active participation in the class discussions, the paper presentations, and/or the semester-long project.

The Project:
If you choose the project option, I will be providing you with a list of possible projects to choose from. A good project would possibly result in writing a publishable paper. You may also propose your own research project. You will need the approval of the course instructor prior to beginning your project.

Most information regarding the course will be made available on
the web page:
http://www.cs.purdue.edu/homes/aref/Spring2008CS590A/coursehome.html.

Presentations:
This is a good chance for you to practice giving presentations. Here are some of the general rules:
    - Be well-prepared.
    - Never exceed your allocated presentation time.
    - Allow time for questions.
    - Never try to explain something that you personally do not understand.
    - Deliver your presentation in electronic format in order to post it in the course home page.
    - Do not use copyrighted material without getting the author's/publisher's permission.