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The Structured Query Language (SQL)
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  2. Data Science
  3. Data Analysis
University of Colorado Boulder

The Structured Query Language (SQL)

This course is part of Databases for Data Scientists Specialization

Alan Paradise

Instructor: Alan Paradise

68,250 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

•Learn more
6 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(1,035 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Recommended experience

Beginner level

Successful completion of Relational Database Design (Databases for Data Scientists, Course 1) recommended.

Flexible schedule
Approx. 27 hours
Learn at your own pace
96%
Most learners liked this course

6 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(1,035 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Recommended experience

Beginner level

Successful completion of Relational Database Design (Databases for Data Scientists, Course 1) recommended.

Flexible schedule
Approx. 27 hours
Learn at your own pace
96%
Most learners liked this course
  • About
  • Outcomes
  • Modules
  • Recommendations
  • Testimonials
  • Reviews

What you'll learn

  • The origins and historical basis for SQL

  • Standard SQL use and syntax

  • How to code SQL queries in order to analyze data stored in relational databases

Skills you'll gain

  • Database Theory
  • Database Design
  • Database Application
  • Relational Databases
  • Data Science
  • Query Languages
  • Data Integrity
  • Database Management
  • SQL
  • Data Analysis
  • Data Modeling
  • Database Administration
  • Database Systems
  • Data Manipulation
  • Data Access

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

28 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Databases for Data Scientists Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 6 modules in this course

In this course you will learn all about the Structured Query Language ("SQL".) We will review the origins of the language and its conceptual foundations. But primarily, we will focus on learning all the standard SQL commands, their syntax, and how to use these commands to conduct analysis of the data within a relational database. Our scope includes not only the SELECT statement for retrieving data and creating analytical reports, but also includes the DDL ("Data Definition Language") and DML ("Data Manipulation Language") commands necessary to create and maintain database objects.

The Structured Query Language (SQL) can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Data Science (MS-DS) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The MS-DS is an interdisciplinary degree that brings together faculty from CU Boulder’s departments of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Science, and others. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the MS-DS is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience in computer science, information science, mathematics, and statistics. Learn more about the MS-DS program at https://shoex.top/degrees/master-of-science-data-science-boulder.

The origins of SQL, what it is and how it works.

What's included

5 videos3 readings3 assignments2 discussion prompts

5 videos•Total 66 minutes
  • Overview of Course, Intro to Instructor•15 minutes•Preview module
  • The Origins of SQL•12 minutes
  • The Relational Algebra•8 minutes
  • The SQL Standard •9 minutes
  • What Happens When I Execute a Query?•20 minutes
3 readings•Total 30 minutes
  • Earn Academic Credit for your Work!•10 minutes
  • Course Support•10 minutes
  • Lecture Slides•10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 15 minutes
  • Old, but Widely Used•5 minutes
  • Understanding Relational Algebra Terms•5 minutes
  • SQL Query Execution Terms•5 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 15 minutes
  • Introduce Yourself!•10 minutes
  • Module 1•5 minutes

The SELECT statement - retrieving data from your database.

What's included

5 videos6 readings5 assignments1 discussion prompt1 ungraded lab

5 videos•Total 83 minutes
  • Our Coursera Lab Environment•11 minutes•Preview module
  • The Basic SELECT Clause•18 minutes
  • The WHERE Clause and Conditions•21 minutes
  • The ORDER BY and DISTINCT•11 minutes
  • How Does SQL Handle DATES and NULLS•20 minutes
6 readings•Total 210 minutes
  • Lab 1: Coding Your First SELECT Statements•60 minutes
  • Lab 1: Solutions •10 minutes
  • Lab 2: Adding Conditions Using the WHERE Clause•60 minutes
  • Lab 2: Solutions•10 minutes
  • Lab 3: Date Functions and Nulls•60 minutes
  • Lab 3: Solutions •10 minutes
5 assignments•Total 33 minutes
  • Adjusting Your Output•10 minutes
  • Unlock Lab 1 Solutions •1 minute
  • Unlock Lab 2 Solutions •1 minute
  • Unlock Lab 3 Solutions •1 minute
  • The Basic SELECT Statement•20 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 5 minutes
  • Module 2•5 minutes
1 ungraded lab•Total 60 minutes
  • pgAdmin Lab Environment•60 minutes

The five GROUP functions.

What's included

3 videos4 readings6 assignments

3 videos•Total 48 minutes
  • The Five GROUP Functions •16 minutes•Preview module
  • Creating Totals and Subtotals•14 minutes
  • SubQueries - Three Different Forms•17 minutes
4 readings•Total 140 minutes
  • Lab 4: Using the GROUP BY•60 minutes
  • Lab 4: Solutions•10 minutes
  • Lab 5: Practice Using Subqueries•60 minutes
  • Lab 5: Solutions •10 minutes
6 assignments•Total 52 minutes
  • Using the Group Functions•10 minutes
  • Understanding the RULES•10 minutes
  • Differentiating Types of Subqueries•10 minutes
  • Unlock Lab 4 Solutions •1 minute
  • Unlock Lab 5 Solutions •1 minute
  • Group Functions and SubQueries•20 minutes

Using the JOIN.

What's included

4 videos4 readings5 assignments1 discussion prompt

4 videos•Total 45 minutes
  • JOIN Syntax•13 minutes•Preview module
  • Three-Way JOIN•5 minutes
  • The Cartesian Product - an Easy Error•12 minutes
  • When an OUTER JOIN is Needed•13 minutes
4 readings•Total 140 minutes
  • Lab 6: Inner JOINS•60 minutes
  • Lab 6: Solutions •10 minutes
  • Lab 7: Outer JOINS•60 minutes
  • Lab 7: Solutions•10 minutes
5 assignments•Total 42 minutes
  • Understanding JOINs•10 minutes
  • JOIN Conditions •10 minutes
  • Unlock Lab 6 Solutions •1 minute
  • Unlock Lab 7 Solutions •1 minute
  • Joins•20 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 5 minutes
  • Module 4•5 minutes

SQL Statements: beyond the SELECT.

What's included

4 videos6 readings5 assignments

4 videos•Total 54 minutes
  • CREATE Statement - Data Types•13 minutes•Preview module
  • Database Constraints•20 minutes
  • Making Changes with the ALTER•9 minutes
  • Adding, Changing, Deleting Data•11 minutes
6 readings•Total 210 minutes
  • Lab 8: Creating Tables•60 minutes
  • Lab 8: Solutions •10 minutes
  • Lab 9: Modifying Tables and Columns with ALTER•60 minutes
  • Lab 9: Solutions •10 minutes
  • Lab 10: Practicing DML•60 minutes
  • Lab 10: Solutions •10 minutes
5 assignments•Total 23 minutes
  • Understanding Data Types•10 minutes
  • Unlock Lab 8 Solutions •1 minute
  • Unlock Lab 9 Solutions •1 minute
  • Unlock Lab 10 Solutions •1 minute
  • DDL and DML•10 minutes

Some more advanced SQL capabilities.

What's included

5 videos7 readings4 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

5 videos•Total 37 minutes
  • Creating and Using VIEWs•7 minutes•Preview module
  • The CASE Statement•6 minutes
  • Joining Answer Sets with the UNION•5 minutes
  • Creating Unique Keys with IDENTITY•12 minutes
  • Wrap-Up•5 minutes
7 readings•Total 270 minutes
  • Lab 11: Using a VIEW•60 minutes
  • Lab 11: Solutions •10 minutes
  • Lab 12: Conditionals with the CASE Operator•60 minutes
  • Lab 12: Solutions •10 minutes
  • Final Lab•90 minutes
  • Final Lab: Solutions•30 minutes
  • Links from Wrap-Up Video•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 13 minutes
  • Unlock Lab 11 Solutions •1 minute
  • Unlock Lab 12 Solutions •1 minute
  • Some Advanced SQL•10 minutes
  • Unlock Final Lab Solutions •1 minute
1 peer review•Total 20 minutes
  • Final Comprehensive SQL Reflection•20 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 5 minutes
  • Module 6•5 minutes

Earn a career certificate

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Build toward a degree

This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹

 

Build toward a degree

This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹

U

University of Colorado Boulder

Master of Science in Data Science

Degree · 2 years

¹Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information.

Instructor

Instructor ratings

Instructor ratings

We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

4.8 (376 ratings)
Alan Paradise
Alan Paradise
University of Colorado Boulder
2 Courses•69,359 learners

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

CU Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners on one of the most spectacular college campuses in the country. As one of 34 U.S. public institutions in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.

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Learner reviews

4.7

1,035 reviews

  • 5 stars

    78.88%

  • 4 stars

    15.52%

  • 3 stars

    2.60%

  • 2 stars

    1.15%

  • 1 star

    1.83%

Showing 3 of 1035

D
DL
5

Reviewed on Jan 17, 2023

Good refresher for the basic stuff, explained it in new and helpful ways, and great introduction to some more advanced SQL

P
PG
5

Reviewed on Dec 17, 2024

I felt this is an amazing course for whoever trying to learn or go through the beginner level concepts of SQL with amazing set of practice questions.

N
NB
5

Reviewed on May 16, 2022

A very good course going through all the basics for writing SQL commands. A great refresher for me as I have not done any SQL in about 2 years.

View more reviews
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