Advanced Topics and Future Trends in Database Technologies from Coursera

This course consists of four modules covering some of the more in-depth and advanced areas of database technologies, followed by a look at the future of database software and where the industry is heading.

Advanced Topics and Future Trends in Database Technologies 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://www.coursera.org/degrees/master-of-science-data-science-boulder.

What's inside

Syllabus

DBMS Administration Essentials

In this module we will take a deeper look into the internals of DBMS software to better understand how it works. We will examine the role of the DBA (Database Administrator), the Data Scientist, the Data Architect, and other career paths in the realm of database technologies. This module covers DBMS essentials such as concurrency management, backup & recovery, and transaction logging.

Data Warehousing, Data Cube

We have learned to design a Relational Database around the typical transactions or activities a business might have. However, in case we need to analyze data, rather than collect data, we need to create a database for the subject of interest to support decision making. In this module, we are going to learn a different perspective of organizing the data, Data Warehouse, or Online Analytical Processing.

Big Data and the Data Explosion

We are in the era of data explosion. While relational databases are still widely used, we are having new problems to deal with data that is different than the one we have been organizing. This new type of data, with 10 V's in the definition, is called Big Data. We are going to explore the definitions, the challenges, and the architecture of the Big Data in this module.

The Relational Problem and NoSQL Systems

Although relational database software has been in use for decades, relational database systems still command a huge share of the database software marketplace. However, with the more recent explosion of Big Data, relational systems are struggling to keep up. Big Data has opened the door for non-relational database solutions ("NoSQL") to capture marketshare from relational systems. In this module we will take a deeper look into the most popular NoSQL database technologies.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Covers advanced and in-depth aspects of database technologies, making it suitable for experienced professionals

Instructors Di Wu and Alan Paradise are recognized experts in database technologies

Explores topics highly relevant to the field of data science, such as data warehousing and big data

Provides a comprehensive study of advanced database concepts, making it valuable for those seeking deep expertise

Coursework can be applied towards an accredited Master of Science degree, indicating its academic rigor

May require prior knowledge in computer science or related fields

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Advanced Topics and Future Trends in Database Technologies with these activities:

Review basic SQL concepts

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Ensure a strong foundation in SQL before starting the course.

Browse courses on SQL

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Review online tutorials or documentation on SQL.
Practice writing SQL queries using an online editor or database.

Review 'Database Management Systems' by Raghu Ramakrishnan and Johannes Gehrke

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Reinforce understanding of database concepts and prepare for more advanced topics.

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Read the assigned chapters.
Take notes and summarize key concepts.
Answer review questions.
Create flashcards for difficult concepts.

Compile course materials

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Become more familiar with the course content before starting the course.

Browse courses on Database Technologies

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Gather lecture notes, assignments, and other class-related materials.
Organize and review the materials.
Highlight important concepts.

Six other activities

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Attend online meetups or conferences related to database technologies

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Connect with professionals in the field and stay up-to-date with industry trends.

Browse courses on Database Technologies

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Find relevant events online.
Register for the events.
Actively participate in discussions and ask questions.

Solve practice problems on DBMS concepts

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Deepen understanding of DBMS fundamentals and improve problem-solving skills.

Browse courses on Concurrency Management

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Identify challenging concepts from the course.
Search for practice problems or create your own.
Solve the problems step-by-step.
Review solutions and identify areas for improvement.

Follow tutorials on NoSQL databases

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Gain practical experience with non-relational database technologies.

Browse courses on NOSQL Databases

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Choose a NoSQL database platform.
Find tutorials covering installation, data modeling, and querying.
Follow the tutorials and build a small project using the NoSQL database.
Troubleshoot any issues encountered.
Share your findings with classmates.

Write a blog post on a key concept in data warehousing

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Enhance understanding of data warehousing concepts and improve communication skills.

Browse courses on Data Warehousing

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Research a key concept in data warehousing.
Create an outline for the blog post.
Write the content, providing clear explanations and examples.
Proofread and edit the blog post.
Publish the blog post and share it with classmates.

Design a database schema for a real-world scenario

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Apply database design principles and enhance problem-solving abilities.

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Identify a real-world scenario.
Gather requirements and analyze the data.
Create a conceptual data model.
Translate the conceptual model into a physical database schema.
Validate the schema against the requirements.

Mentor a junior student in a database-related project

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Enhance understanding through teaching, improve communication and interpersonal skills.

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Identify a junior student who needs guidance.
Set up regular mentoring sessions.
Provide technical advice and support.
Encourage the student to ask questions and explore different approaches.
Provide feedback and constructive criticism.

Career center

Learners who complete Advanced Topics and Future Trends in Database Technologies will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Big Data Engineer

Big Data Engineers design and implement data management solutions for big data. This course can help you build a strong foundation in big data technologies, including Hadoop, Spark, and NoSQL databases. This knowledge is essential for success as a Big Data Engineer, as it will enable you to design and implement data management solutions that can handle large volumes of data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Big Data Engineer

Data Architect

Data Architects design and implement data management solutions that meet the needs of an organization. This course can help you build a strong foundation in database design and architecture, including data warehousing, data cubes, and big data. This knowledge is essential for success as a Data Architect, as it will enable you to design and implement data management solutions that are efficient, scalable, and secure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Architect

Data Analyst

Data Analysts use data to identify trends and patterns. This course can help you build a strong foundation in data analysis and modeling, including data warehousing, data cubes, and big data. This knowledge is essential for success as a Data Analyst, as it will enable you to extract insights from data and develop predictive models.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Business Intelligence Analyst

Business Intelligence Analysts use data to make informed decisions. This course can help you build a strong foundation in data analysis and modeling, including data warehousing, data cubes, and big data. This knowledge is essential for success as a Business Intelligence Analyst, as it will enable you to extract insights from data and develop predictive models.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Intelligence Analyst

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. This course can help you build a strong foundation in data analysis and modeling, including data warehousing, data cubes, and big data. This knowledge is essential for success as a Data Scientist, as it will enable you to extract insights from data and develop predictive models.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Data Warehouse Architect

Data Warehouse Architects design and implement data warehouses. This course can help you build a strong foundation in data warehousing, including data modeling, data integration, and data quality. This knowledge is essential for success as a Data Warehouse Architect, as it will enable you to design and implement data warehouses that are efficient, scalable, and secure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Warehouse Architect

Data Integration Specialist

Data Integration Specialists integrate data from multiple sources into a single, cohesive data warehouse. This course can help you build a strong foundation in data integration, including data modeling, data cleansing, and data transformation. This knowledge is essential for success as a Data Integration Specialist, as it will enable you to integrate data from multiple sources into a single, cohesive data warehouse.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Integration Specialist

NoSQL Developer

NoSQL Developers design and implement NoSQL databases. This course can help you build a strong foundation in NoSQL database technologies, including Cassandra, MongoDB, and Redis. This knowledge is essential for success as a NoSQL Developer, as it will enable you to design and implement NoSQL databases that are scalable, reliable, and performant.

See salaries and explore the career path for NoSQL Developer

Information Architect

Information Architects design and implement information systems. This course can help you build a strong foundation in information architecture, including data modeling, user experience design, and information retrieval. This knowledge is essential for success as an Information Architect, as it will enable you to design and implement information systems that are efficient, effective, and user-friendly.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Architect

Database Designer

Database Designers design and implement relational database systems. This course can help you build a strong foundation in database design, including data modeling, normalization, and query optimization. This knowledge is essential for success as a Database Designer, as it will enable you to design and implement relational database systems that are efficient, scalable, and secure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Designer

Database Administrator

Database Administrators (DBAs) are the gatekeepers of an organization's data, ensuring that it is secure, reliable, and accessible. This course can help you build a strong foundation in DBMS administration essentials, including concurrency management, backup & recovery, and transaction logging. This knowledge is essential for success as a DBA, as it will enable you to effectively manage and maintain database systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Database Performance Engineer

Database Performance Engineers optimize the performance of database systems. This course can help you build a strong foundation in database performance tuning, including query optimization, indexing, and caching. This knowledge is essential for success as a Database Performance Engineer, as it will enable you to optimize the performance of database systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Performance Engineer

Data Governance Specialist

Data Governance Specialists develop and implement data governance policies and procedures. This course can help you build a strong foundation in data governance, including data quality, data security, and data privacy. This knowledge is essential for success as a Data Governance Specialist, as it will enable you to develop and implement data governance policies and procedures that protect the organization's data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Governance Specialist

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts analyze and design business systems. This course can help you build a strong foundation in systems analysis, including data modeling, process modeling, and requirements gathering. This knowledge is essential for success as a Systems Analyst, as it will enable you to analyze and design business systems that are efficient, effective, and user-friendly.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Software Architect

Software Architects design and implement software systems. This course can help you build a strong foundation in software architecture, including database design, data integration, and data security. This knowledge is essential for success as a Software Architect, as it will enable you to design and implement software systems that are efficient, scalable, and secure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect