Topic outline

  • Welcome to this introductory course on Databases offered online (in English) during the summer (June 4 - Sept 3, 2020). The course covers the basics of information management including relational models, design principles of databases, and database theory. 

    Instructors: Prof. Nitin Sawhney and Dr. Lukas Ahrenberg

    Teaching Assistants: Etna Lindy and Ville Vuorenmaa 

    Online Learning Sessions: Thursdays 10:15 - 11:45 via Zoom and Slack (for access login to the Platforms section)

    Week 1: Introduction to Databases and Understanding Relational Models (PDF slides), Lecture by Prof. Nitin Sawhney, June 4, 2020


    Week 2: Relational Algebra (PDF Slides) & SQL Basics (PDF Slides), Lecture by Dr. Lukas Ahrenberg, June 9, 2020.


    Week 3: Unified Modeling Language - Part I (PDF slides) and Part II (PDF slides) , Lectures by Prof. Nitin Sawhney, June 18, 2020


    Week 4: Functional Dependencies & Normal Forms (BCNF, 4NF) (PDF slides), Lecture by Dr. Lukas Ahrenberg, June 25, 2020


    Week 5: SQL Queries & Aggregation Operations (PDF Slides), Lecture by Prof. Nitin Sawhney, July 2, 2020


    Week 6: Defining SQL Tables, Integrity Constraints and Views (PDF Slides), Lecture by Prof. Nitin Sawhney, July 9, 2020


    Week 7 (July 13–19): No lectures or exercise sessions

    Week 8: Indexes (PDF slides) and Transactions (PDF slides), Lectures by Dr. Lukas Ahrenberg, July 23, 2020



    Week 9: Triggers (PDF slides), Lecture by Dr. Lukas Ahrenberg, July 30, 2020

    Week 10: Embedding SQL & SQLite in Python (PDF slides), Lecture by Dr. Lukas Ahrenberg, August 6, 2020

    Week 11: NoSQL Databases, Lecture by Prof. Keijo Heljanko, Department of Computer Science, University of Helsinki, May 11, 2020.


    Week 12: Database Course Summary Review (PDF slides), Discussion led by Prof. Nitin Sawhney and Dr. Lukas Ahrenberg, August 20, 2020


    Week 13: Project Part II deadline, August 28, 2020 (20:00)

    Week 14: Final Examination, September 3, 2020 (09:00-12:00)