inline-defaultCreated with Sketch.
inline-defaultCreated with Sketch.
HomeUniversitiesProgramsStudents & Alumni
search
Students
Masters

Advanced Database Systems

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh , United States
Visit Program Website
Students
Tuition Fee
Not Available
Start Date
Not Available
Medium of studying
Not Available
Duration
Not Available
Details
About Program
About University
Gallery
Contact School
Details
Program Details
Degree
Masters
Major
Data Science | Database Architecture | Database Management
Area of study
Information and Communication Technologies
Course Language
English
About Program

Program Overview

Program Overview

CMU 15-721, Advanced Database Systems, is a course offered in the Fall 2025 semester.


Logistics

  • Instructor: Jignesh Patel, Office Hours: Monday 3:30 - 4:30 pm, GHC 9103
  • Teaching Assistant: Chris Laspias, Office Hours: Wednesdays 1-2pm, GHC 9023
  • Lecture Coordinates: MW 2:00 - 3:20 pm, GHC 4303

Description

This course covers advanced topics in the development of data management systems, including query processing and optimization strategies, advanced concurrency control and recovery techniques, advanced access methods, parallel and distributed data systems, and the implications of running data platforms in modern cloud settings. The course material is drawn from papers in the database literature, with approximately 2-3 papers covered per week. Students are expected to read the papers before lectures and submit a paper review before each lecture.


Prerequisites

  • CMU 15-445/645 or equivalent. Students with concerns about meeting the prerequisites should contact the instructor.

Course Project

A significant component of this course is a research project, where students explore a topic in data management in detail. The instructor provides a list of suggested project topics, but students can choose a project outside of this list with prior approval. The project requires periodic meetings with the instructor to update on progress. The course project is a group project, with each group consisting of 2-3 members. Students are encouraged to form groups early in the semester.


Grading Rubric and Deadlines

  • Reviews of papers: 15%, due 1 hour before each class
  • Lecture Notes: 10%, due 1 week after the lecture
  • Exam: 15%, in-class exam
  • Group Project: 60%, with a detailed breakdown:
    • Intermediate project proposal: 10%
    • Final project presentation: 25%
    • Final project report: 25%

Academic Integrity

Collaboration is allowed on the project with the project group and on lecture notes with assigned partners. All other work must be individual. CMU's Policy on Academic Integrity applies.


See More