SQL Fundamentals

Course Description

In this 80-hour hands-on course, trainees learn SQL (Structured Query Language), a mainstream language used to create, manage, and query RDBMSs (Relational Database Management Systems). At the end of this course, trainees are prepared to work with SQL database servers. 

Prerequisites

You must successfully complete a two-hour self-assessment to gain acceptance to this course. A background in coding is helpful but not required. 

Learning Outcomes

Trainees will be able to:

  • Use units of data size to determine data storage requirements.
  • Explain the basic principles of relational (SQL) and non-relational (No-SQL) databases.
  • Name the most widely used SQL and No-SQL databases.
  • Compare the most common flavors of SQL databases.
  • Define referential integrity, ACID, and cascade operations.
  • Explain the role of columns and rows in tables.
  • Formulate basic SQL queries using the SELECT statement.
  • Filter the results of queries.
  • Limit the number of results.
  • Use built-in functions to aggregate data..
  • Create, remove, and alter schemata and tables.
  • Define constraints and specify default values.
  • Explain how the inner join works.
  • Use the inner join to connect two or more tables.

Equipment Requirements

Computer, laptop or tablet with Internet access, web browser, and email.

Course Structure and Length

The course is self-paced, and trainees practice each skill or concept as they go.  Automatic feedback is built into the course for both practices and quizzes.

The course is divided into four Units, and each Unit is composed of five Sections.  Each Section consists of 7 instructional/practice levels, a quiz, and a master (proficiency) level.  Trainees can return to any level or quiz for review.

This table illustrates the course structure as units, sections, and levels.

While learning skills in the SQL Fundamentals course, trainees can practice queries and create portfolio artifacts with NCLab’s SQL apps. They can use a project idea from NCLab or create their own.  NCLab provides several practice databases that can be queried with the SQL app.

Trainees will need approximately 80 hours to complete the course. Since the course is self-paced, the amount of time required to complete the course will vary from trainee to trainee.  Trainees are responsible for learning both the tutorial content and the skills acquired through practice.