TEACHING DATABASE SYSTEMS AT
THE INSTITUTE OF INFORMATICS OF
THE UNIVERSITY OF DEBRECEN

István Juhász, pici@inf.unideb.hu
András Gábor, gabora@ inf.unideb.hu
University of Debrecen, Institute of Informatics, Department of Information Technology

Abstract

Due to the worldwide spread of the Internet, information flows much faster than before. The huge amount of information available via Web has to be stored and systematized, as well. The role of databases has appreciated. Information Society expects the elaboration of more effective, faster and more precise methods for information retrieval from professionals. Vendors of database management systems have the challenge of technologically serving out the portals presenting information, considering speed and availability aspects. The main goal of the qualification of software engineering professionals is to furnish practical and usable knowledge to the students.
This paper describes the database systems related learning curves available at the Institute of Informatics of University of Debrecen during which students first acquire a general knowledge of the topic and then get more specialized knowledge on certain areas according to their choices. 
In our Institute every IT student must get acquainted with database systems by attending and completing a mandatory course. This course introduces the basic concepts of relational and OO databases throughout lectures and provides practical knowledge as well via computer lab activities.
Besides completing the mandatory classes, students are required to choose a minimum amount of courses from each course section we have. The major of the student determines the amount of the classes (in credit points) one must complete from a section. Most courses in section “B” are database related classes, thus every student has to complete some more courses on database systems. We often refer to these classes as optionally mandatory.
To fulfill the credit requirements of the degree program, students can also choose from a collection of optional classes. The choice only depends on the interests of the individual and the course prerequisites. Some of these classes focus on special areas of the database systems.
Most of the optional and optionally mandatory courses are inherently practical.