Course Description

The purpose of this course is to bring the student up to date in recent advancements and utilization of Machine Learning (ML) approaches in the field of Databases. The course will first cover various Machine Learning techniques (e.g., Deep Learning, NLP, reinforcement learning) used for indexing, query optimization, approximate query processing, and system tuning; and proceed with techniques used to potentially replace a database with an ML model. Students in the course will be guided through the recent database and ML literature from the VLDB, SIGMOD, ICDE, ICLR, ICML, NeurIPS, and SIGKDD conferences.

The course assumes that students are familiar with database conceptual data modeling tools such as EntityRelationship (ER) data model, logical data models such as the relational and object-relational data model, physical design of a database using persistent data structures such as B+-tree and Hash indexes, transactions, concurrency control, and crash recovery techniques. Knowledge of ML and neural networks is also beneficial.

Instructor

Prof. Cyrus Shahabi
Office: PHE 306
Office hours: Mondays 4-5pm
Address: 3737 Watt Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089
Email:

Location and Time

Location: GFS 220
Class Time: MW 5-6:50pm

Grading

Presentations

60%

Written Papers

30%

Participation

10%

Lectures

Reading List

Academic Integrity Policy

All homeworks must be solved and written independently, or you will be penalized for cheating. The USC Student Conduct Code prohibits plagiarism. All USC students are responsible for reading and following the Student Conduct Code.

In this course we encourage students to study together. This includes discussing general strategies to be used on individual assignments. However, all work submitted for the class is to be done individually.

Some examples of what is not allowed by the conduct code: copying all or part of someone else's work (by hand or by looking at others' files, either secretly or if shown), and submitting it as your own; giving another student in the class a copy of your assignment solution; consulting with another student during an exam. If you have questions about what is allowed, please discuss it with the instructor.

Academic Conduct

Students who violate University standards of academic integrity are subject to disciplinary sanctions, including failure in the course and suspension from the University. Since dishonesty in any form harms the individual, other students, and the University, policies on academic integrity will be strictly enforced. We expect you to familiarize yourself with the Academic Integrity guidelines found in the current SCampus.

Violations of the Student Conduct Code will be filed with the Office of Student Conduct, and appropriate sanctions will be given.

USC seeks to maintain an optimal learning environment. General principles of academic honesty include the concept of respect for the intellectual property of others, the expectation that individual work will be submitted unless otherwise allowed by an instructor, and the obligations both to protect one’s own academic work from misuse by others as well as to avoid using another’s work as one’s own. All students are expected to understand and abide by these principles. Students will be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards for further review, should there be any suspicion of academic dishonesty. The Review process can be found at: https://sjacs.usc.edu/students/report/.

Discrimination, sexual assault, and harassment are not tolerated by the university. You are encouraged to report any incidents to the Office of Equity and Diversity http://equity.usc.edu or to the Department of Public Safety http://capsnet.usc.edu/department/department-public-safety/online-forms/contact-us. This is important for the safety of the whole USC community. Another member of the university community – such as a friend, classmate, advisor, or faculty member – can help initiate the report, or can initiate the report on behalf of another person. The Center for Women and Men http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/cwm/ provides 24/7 confidential support, and the sexual assault resource center webpage http://sarc.usc.edu describes reporting options and other resources.

Viterbi School of Engineering Honor Code

Engineering enables and empowers our ambitions and is integral to our identities. In the Viterbi community, accountability is reflected in all our endeavors.

Engineering+Integrity.
Engineering+Responsibility.
Engineering+Community.
Think good. Do better. Be great.

These are the pillars we stand upon as we address the challenges of society and enrich lives.

Support Systems

A number of USC’s schools provide support for students who need help with scholarly writing. Check with your advisor or program staff to find out more. Students whose primary language is not English should check with the American Language Institute http://dornsife.usc.edu/ali, which sponsors courses and workshops specifically for international graduate students. The Office of Disability Services and Programs http://sait.usc.edu/academicsupport/centerprograms/dsp/home_index.html provides certification for students with disabilities and helps arrange the relevant accommodations. If an officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible, USC Emergency Information http://emergency.usc.edu will provide safety and other updates, including ways in which instruction will be continued by means of blackboard, teleconferencing, and other technology.