Overview

Class Central Tips

Are you ready to dive into the world of data engineering? In this beginner level course, you will gain a solid understanding of how data is stored, processed, and accessed in relational databases (RDBMSes). You will work with different types of databases that are appropriate for various data processing requirements. You will begin this course by being introduced to relational database concepts, as well as several industry standard relational databases, including IBM DB2, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. Next, you’ll utilize RDBMS tools used by professionals such as phpMyAdmin and pgAdmin for creating and maintaining relational databases. You will also use the command line and SQL statements to create and manage tables. This course incorporates hands-on, practical exercises to help you demonstrate your learning. You will work with real databases and explore real-world datasets. You will create database instances and populate them with tables and data. At the end of this course, you will complete a final assignment where you will apply your accumulated knowledge from this course and demonstrate that you have the skills to: design a database for a specific analytics requirement, normalize tables, create tables and views in the database, load and access data. No prior knowledge of databases or programming is required. Anyone can audit this course at no-charge. If you choose to take this course and earn the Coursera course certificate, you can also earn an IBM digital badge upon successful completion of the course.

Syllabus

Relational Database Concepts

In this module, you will first learn about the fundamental aspects of data structures and file formats, along with the differences between relational and non-relational databases. You’ll explore various types of data models and discuss fundamental concepts in database management. Additionally, you’ll explore Entity-Relationship Diagrams (ERD) along with their components and relationships. You will also gain expertise in diverse database topics. Finally, you’ll gain a clear understanding of Db2 and PostgreSQL.

Using Relational Databases

In this module, you’ll explore the types of SQL statements, like Data Definition Language (DDL) and Data Manipulation Language (DML). You’ll learn how to create, modify, and manage tables using DDL statements and understand data movement utilities for efficient data loading and management. Additionally, you’ll dive into key database objects such as schemas, primary keys, foreign keys, and indexes, gaining insights into their roles in data organization, integrity, and retrieval. You’ll also understand the importance of normalization for reducing redundancy and ensuring data consistency, while also understanding various constraints within the relational model to maintain data accuracy and reliability.

MySQL and PostgreSQL

In this module, you will learn about the fundamental aspects of MySQL and PostgreSQL and identify Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) tools. You will explore the process of creating databases and tables and the definition of keys, constraints, and connections in MySQL. Additionally, you will discover important processes in PostgreSQL using command line, pgAdmin, and views. Moreover, you will gain essential skills such as database loading techniques and insights into securing sensitive data and streamlining data retrieval.

Final Project and Assessment

In this module, you will navigate the database design process, refine your practical skills, and understand essential steps. You will discover the role of Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERDs) and get an opportunity to engage in a hands-on database design lab, where you will use your theoretical knowledge to create databases. As you progress, you will receive an optional final assignment and project submission stages. For those seeking an advanced challenge, a final project using Db2 is available. A glossary is available for quick reference to key terms used throughout the module.