About This Course
Get introduced to the course roadmap.
We'll cover the following...
When we use an app like an online store, stream a movie, or check our fitness stats, a powerful engine called databases works behind the scenes. These systems manage the vast amount of data that makes our experiences smooth and intelligent.
This course is designed to help us understand and work confidently with databases, whether we aim to become developers or analysts, or simply enhance our technical skills.
By the end of this introductory lesson, we will:
Understand the overall structure and goals of the course.
Identify the key highlights and what makes this course unique.
Know the key topics we’ll be covering and how they connect.
Recognize what we’ll be able to do after completing the course.
Identify who this course is meant for and whether it aligns with our goals.
Course structure
To make our learning journey smooth and logical, we’ve organized the course into several modules, each building on the last. We’ll start with the why and what before diving into the how.
In modules 1–5, we’ll build a solid foundation. We’ll explore databases, their evolution, and the various types available. We will learn how to design a blueprint for our data using Entity–Relationship (ER) models and understand the theoretical principles of the relational model, which is the backbone of most databases used today.
Next, in modules 6–7, we will learn Structured Query Language (SQL). This is the language we use to talk to databases. We’ll start with the basics of retrieving and managing data, and then move on to more advanced techniques, such as joining tables, performing calculations, and writing complex queries.
Then, in modules 8–10, we’ll focus on designing efficient and reliable databases. We’ll cover schema design, normalization (a process to reduce data duplication), and how to ensure data integrity through transactions. We’ll also learn how to optimize our queries to improve their performance.
Finally, in module 11, we’ll look beyond traditional databases and gain a glimpse into the world of NoSQL, exploring modern alternatives such as MongoDB. To wrap it all up, module 12 will provide a recap of everything we’ve learned and guide us on the next steps in our data journey.
Key highlights of the course
We designed this course to be more than just a series of lectures. Our goal is to provide a practical, hands-on experience that prepares us for real-world challenges. This course is:
Beginner-friendly start: We begin with the basics, even if we’ve never used a database before.
Project-based examples: We’ll consistently refer to a realistic retail system.
Hands-on practice: With every concept, we’ll get exercises to build and test our skills.
Theory meets practicality: From ER modeling to SQL to NoSQL, we’ll cover both the why and the how.
Performance matters: We’ll learn not just how to write queries, but how to optimize them.
Modern coverage: We’ll explore both traditional relational databases and modern NoSQL systems.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, we’ll be able to:
Understand the role and value of databases in software systems.
Design relational schemas and ER diagrams for real-world scenarios.
Write and optimize SQL queries to manipulate and retrieve data.
Understand key database principles like normalization, transactions, and indexing.
Compare relational and NoSQL databases and know when to use each.
Confidently approach database-related interview questions or technical discussions.
These outcomes align with the skills that employers seek in back-end developers, data analysts, and software engineers.
Target audience
This course is designed with a broad audience in mind, but it is especially beneficial for anyone falling in one of these groups:
Beginners in tech looking to understand how apps store and manage data.
Aspiring developers and engineers who want a solid database foundation.
Business analysts and product managers who want to interact with data more effectively.
Students in computer science or related fields who want to strengthen their understanding.
Anyone curious about how apps like Amazon or Spotify work under the hood.
The best part of the course? No prior experience with databases or programming is required. We’ll start from scratch, build our knowledge step by step, and solidify it with examples and exercises.
We’ve now seen a bird’s-eye view of our entire learning path! We’ve covered the course’s modular structure, its hands-on approach with a real-world database, the key skills we’ll walk away with, and who this journey is for. This overview is our map, and now we’re ready to take the first step.
Getting started with a new topic can feel like a big challenge, but remember that every expert was once a beginner. We’re here to guide you through each concept, one step at a time. Let’s get started!