Courses of the Database Stream
This web page offers a set of courses that students can follow in order to get an MSc degree with a specialization in databases. This web page gives an example for a study plan that includes our suggested choice of the optional stream courses. Please consult the MSc in Computer Science web page for other options and more information. The MSc program lasts two years and consists of four semesters. During the first three semesters students attend regular courses: 12 compulsory courses and 7 stream courses that can be chosen freely (a student must attend at least 4 stream courses in databases to complete the database stream; other than this there are no restrictions and you can choose the courses you like best).
The following table shows an instance of the general study plan that includes the recommended (optional) stream courses. Note that the study plan is subject to change. Please consult the MSc in Computer Science web page for up to date information.
1st semester Theory of Computing 8 CP Data Warehousing and Data Mining 8 CP Software Process Management 8 CP Programming Languages 4 CP Advanced Statistics 4 CP
2nd semester Advanced Operating Systems 4 CP Advanced Algorithms 4 CP Computer Networks 4 CP Human Computer Interaction 4 CP Stream course 4 CP DB Stream: Distributed Databases 4 CP DB Stream: Foundations of Databases 4 CP DB Stream: XML and Semistructured Databases 4 CP DB Stream: Temporal and Spatial Databases 4 CP
3rd semester Technical Scientific Communication 4 CP Legal Issues in Computer Science 4 CP General Psychology 4 CP Stream course 4 CP Internship or free choice lecture 4 CP DB Stream: Mobile Services 4 CP DB Stream: Advanced Topics in Databases 4 CP
4th semester Thesis 30 CP
In each semester there is a mini-project that is related to a specific database course. During the last semester of the studies no courses are taught. The whole semester is dedicated to the work on the thesis. The DB stream offers projects in the context of the following three database courses:
- Data Warehousing and Data Mining (1st semester),
- Distributed Databases (2nd semester),
- Mobile Services (3rd semester).
- Advanced Topics in Databases (3rd semester).
The essence of a mini-project is to implement a database (data warehouse or data mining, etc) technique, test the technique on synthetic and real world dataset, compare the technique for different datasets (or one or two other different techniques), and write a 10 page report. The exam is oral and will be based on the mini-project, but all aspects of the course are relevant.
A student can choose to attend lectures for the amount of 4 credits or do an internship for the total number of 100 hours during the 3rd semester. In case of the internship, the student needs to apply for the internship four weeks before the start of the internship. More information on the application for the internship, the paper work, and the internship itself can be found on the Internship web page of the MSc in Computer Science.
