Database Systems
MIT OpenCourseWare's graduate introduction to database foundations, built around primary readings from the database research community rather than a single textbook. Topics include the relational algebra and data model, schema normalization, query optimization, and transaction processing. The course assumes background equivalent to MIT's 6.033 systems course but no prior database experience, though students with an undergraduate database course are welcome. Materials include the reading list and assignments as posted by MIT OCW, free to access with no certificate offered. It suits students who want to engage with the research literature underlying modern database systems rather than just learn SQL syntax, covering how relational theory, optimization, and concurrency control fit together at a foundational level.