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Relational Database Design

Have you ever wanted to build a database but don't know where to start? This course will provide you a step-by-step guidance. We are going to start from a raw idea to an implementable relational database. Getting on the path, practicing the real-life mini cases, you will be confident and comfortable with Relational Database Design. Let's get started!

Relational Database Design 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.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to DBMS, and Entity Relational Models

Introduce students to Database Management Systems. Introduce and train students with how to build conceptual entity relationship models.

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Builds a strong foundation for beginners who want to design relational databases

Covers core concepts and skills for designing relational databases, such as entity relationship models, normalization, and implementation

Provides step-by-step guidance and hands-on practice through real-life case studies

Taught by instructors with expertise in relational database design and data science

Part of the Master of Science in Data Science (MS-DS) degree offered by CU Boulder, which is an interdisciplinary program with a performance-based admissions process

Requires learners to have basic knowledge of database systems and data modeling

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Reviews summary

Solid foundation in relational database design

According to learners, "Relational Database Design" offers a positive and step-by-step guide to database fundamentals. Many appreciate the clear lectures and practical mini-cases, which provide a solid foundation in ER models, relational models, and normalization. While excellent for beginners, some advanced students found the pace slow or desired more in-depth coverage on complex implementation. The course is largely seen as a strong starting point for those pursuing data science or database roles, though it may require supplemental study for advanced applications.

Emphasizes conceptual design, less on coding.

"The course is very strong on the theoretical aspects of design but could use more hands-on coding or SQL practice."

"I learned a lot about design principles, but I wish there were more practical exercises involving building actual databases."

"It provides a great conceptual framework, but for real-world development, I'd need to find another resource for coding."

The course maintains consistent quality over time.

"Even recent reviews indicate the course content remains relevant and well-structured, a testament to its enduring quality."

"The foundational principles taught here haven't changed, and the course continues to deliver value years after its initial release."

"I noticed reviews from different years all praising the clarity, suggesting the instructors haven't let the quality slip."

Excellent for those new to database design.

"As someone completely new to databases, this course was exactly what I needed to get started."

"It builds from the ground up, making it very accessible for individuals without prior database experience."

"If you're a beginner looking for a solid introduction, this course is highly recommended."

Real-life scenarios aid in practical application.

"The real-life mini-cases were incredibly helpful; they bridged the gap between theory and practical application effectively."

"Working through the examples helped me solidify my understanding and feel more confident in applying the concepts."

"I appreciated the focus on practical application, making the abstract concepts of database design tangible and useful."

Explains core database design principles clearly.

"This course provided me with a clear and concise understanding of relational database design, starting from the very basics."

"I found the explanations of ER models and normalization to be exceptionally clear, making complex topics easy to grasp."

"The way the course walks you through converting conceptual models to relational ones is really well done and easy to follow."

May be slow or lack depth for experienced students.

"While the material is solid, I found the pace a bit slow, especially having some prior knowledge in data structures."

"I was hoping for a deeper dive into more advanced topics like optimization or specific SQL implementation details."

"For someone with existing database exposure, parts of the course felt like a review rather than new learning."

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 Relational Database Design with these activities:

Review previous coursework or study materials on database concepts

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Refresh your knowledge of database concepts to strengthen your foundation for this course.

Browse courses on Database Concepts

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Review your notes from previous database courses.
Read relevant sections from textbooks or online resources.
Take practice quizzes or solve problems to test your understanding.

Review: Database Systems: The Complete Book

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Familiarize yourself with foundational concepts of database systems to prepare you for the course.

View Database Systems: The Complete Book on Amazon

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Read chapters 1-4.
Summarize the key concepts of each chapter.
Create a mind map of the relationships between the concepts.

Organize and expand your course materials

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Stay organized and maximize your learning by compiling and expanding your course materials.

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Create a dedicated folder or notebook for the course.
Organize your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Add additional resources such as articles, videos, or tutorials.

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Follow tutorials on relational database design

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Supplement your learning with guided tutorials to enhance your understanding of relational database design.

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Search for online tutorials on relational database design.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step and implement the concepts.
Review the tutorials and take notes on key takeaways.

Create a conceptual entity relationship model

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Reinforce your understanding of conceptual entity relationship modeling by creating your own.

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Identify the entities and relationships in a real-world scenario.
Draw a diagram representing the entities and their relationships.
Validate your model by checking for consistency and completeness.

Practice normalization exercises

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Sharpen your normalization skills through repetitive exercises.

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Solve normalization problems from textbooks or online resources.
Create your own normalization exercises and solve them.
Review your solutions and identify areas for improvement.

Design a relational database for a real-world scenario

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Apply your knowledge to a practical scenario by designing a relational database for a real-world use case.

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Identify a real-world scenario that requires a relational database.
Create a conceptual entity relationship model for the scenario.
Normalize the conceptual model to 3NF.
Design the physical database schema.

Mentor a peer or junior student in database concepts

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Solidify your understanding of database concepts by mentoring others.

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Identify a peer or junior student who needs help with database concepts.
Set up regular study sessions or tutoring appointments.
Provide guidance and support on database topics they are struggling with.

Career center

Learners who complete Relational Database Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Database Manager

A Database Manager is responsible for planning, deploying, and maintaining the database systems used by an organization. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement relational databases, which are the most common type of database used in business today. By taking this course, you will gain a competitive advantage in the job market and be well-prepared for a career as a Database Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Manager

Database Administrator

A Database Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of an organization's database systems. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage relational databases, including how to create and manage users, grant permissions, and back up and restore data. By taking this course, you will be well-prepared for a career as a Database Administrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help organizations make better decisions. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement relational databases, which are a common source of data for data analysts. By taking this course, you will be well-prepared for a career as a Data Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst is responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying areas for improvement. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement relational databases, which can be used to store and organize business data. By taking this course, you will be well-prepared for a career as a Business Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software systems. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement relational databases, which are a common component of software systems. By taking this course, you will be well-prepared for a career as a Software Engineer.

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Web Developer

A Web Developer is responsible for designing and developing websites. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement relational databases, which can be used to store and organize website content. By taking this course, you will be well-prepared for a career as a Web Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist is responsible for using data to solve business problems. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement relational databases, which are a common source of data for data scientists. By taking this course, you will be well-prepared for a career as a Data Scientist.

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Information Systems Manager

An Information Systems Manager is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing an organization's information systems. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement relational databases, which are a common component of information systems. By taking this course, you will be well-prepared for a career as an Information Systems Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Systems Manager

Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement relational databases, which can be used to store and track project data. By taking this course, you will be well-prepared for a career as a Project Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Business Intelligence Analyst

A Business Intelligence Analyst is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help organizations make better decisions. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement relational databases, which are a common source of data for business intelligence analysts. By taking this course, you will be well-prepared for a career as a Business Intelligence Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Intelligence Analyst

Data Architect

A Data Architect is responsible for designing and implementing the data architecture for an organization. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement relational databases, which are a common component of data architectures. By taking this course, you will be well-prepared for a career as a Data Architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Architect

Database Designer

A Database Designer is responsible for designing and developing databases. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement relational databases, which are the most common type of database used in business today. By taking this course, you will be well-prepared for a career as a Database Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Designer

Software Architect

A Software Architect is responsible for designing and developing the architecture for software systems. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement relational databases, which are a common component of software systems. By taking this course, you will be well-prepared for a career as a Software Architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Information Technology Manager

An Information Technology Manager is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing an organization's information technology systems. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement relational databases, which are a common component of information technology systems. By taking this course, you will be well-prepared for a career as an Information Technology Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Technology Manager

Data Warehouse Manager

A Data Warehouse Manager is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing an organization's data warehouse. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement relational databases, which are a common component of data warehouses. By taking this course, you will be well-prepared for a career as a Data Warehouse Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Warehouse Manager

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Relational Database Design.

SQL Antipatterns, Volume 1

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Provides an in-depth look at the internals of database systems.

Relational Database Design

Here's a deal for you

What's inside

Syllabus

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Save this course

Reviews summary

Solid foundation in relational database design

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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