Relational Database Design from Coursera

This course provides you with the opportunity to learn about relational database design. You will be provided an in-depth understanding of the design principles and methodologies involved in creating well-structured, normalized, and efficient relational databases to manage data for small, medium, and large-scale enterprises.

Possessing database design skills will enable you to excel in careers such as Database Administrators, Data Analysts, Software Developers, Data Engineers, and Business Intelligence Developers; capitalizing on the ability to create robust and efficient data solutions for any organization. These are one of the top sought-after careers across many industries today.

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

- Describe the process and the design aspects involved in relational database design.

- Interpret the main components of an Entity-Relationship diagram (ERD) using unified modeling language (UML) notation.

- Develop entity-relationship diagrams using basic and extended Entity-relationship features in relational design.

- Translate Entity-Relationships diagrams into logical schemas (relation schemas).

- Describe the theory and practical application of functional dependencies in relational database design.

- Use the theory to recognize candidate keys and primary keys.

- Derive minimal and canonical covers of functional dependencies.

- Describe the principles of database normalization.

- Identify and apply normalization techniques.

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1: Design Overview

This module is organized in three lessons: 1) Entity-Relationship (E-R) modeling, 2) E-R diagrams, and 3) Extended ER features and relation schemas. The learning objectives of this module are presented below. Refer to the enrichment activities at the end of each lesson.

Module 2: Functional Dependency (FD)

This module explores the theory and practical application of functional dependencies in relational database design, providing students with the knowledge and skills to identify and enforce data relationships, ensuring data integrity and optimization in database systems. This module is organized into three lessons: 1) Functional dependency theory, 2) Finding candidate keys and attribute closure, and 3) Deriving canonical (minimal) covers of functional dependencies. The learning objectives of this module are presented below. Please refer to the enrichment activities at the end of each lesson.

Module 3: Database Normalization

The database normalization module demonstrates the principles and techniques of organizing data into well-structured tables through normalization, ensuring data integrity and reducing redundancy for efficient and scalable database systems. This module is organized in three lessons: 1) Normal Forms (NFs), 2) more Normal forms, and 3) DB Design example (applying ER modeling + Normalization). The learning objectives of this module include are presented below. Refer to the enrichment activities at the end of each lesson.

Summative Course Assessment

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Designed for students seeking careers in Database Administration, Data Analysis, Software Development, Data Engineering, and Business Intelligence Development

Provides a comprehensive foundation in relational database design, including ER modeling, functional dependencies, and normalization techniques

Taught by experienced instructors, Gerald Balekaki and Yousef Elmehdwi, who are recognized for their expertise in database design

Covers industry-standard methodologies and best practices for designing efficient and scalable database systems

Suitable for both beginners seeking an introduction to database design and intermediate learners looking to strengthen their knowledge

May require prerequisites or additional background knowledge in data management concepts

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:

Contribute to open-source projects related to database design

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Engage in practical application and contribute to the wider community while enhancing your knowledge and skills in database design.

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Identify open-source projects related to database design.
Review the project documentation and code.
Identify areas where you can contribute.
Make a pull request to contribute your changes to the project.
Collaborate with other contributors to improve the project.

Review basic concepts of relational database design

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Refresh your memory on relational database design concepts and ensure a solid foundation before starting the course.

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Review introductory materials on relational database design.
Complete practice exercises to reinforce your understanding.

Organize and review your existing notes and course materials

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Prepare for the course by organizing and reviewing your existing knowledge related to the topics covered in the course.

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Gather and organize course notes.
Review previous course materials related to relational database design if applicable.
Identify areas where you need to strengthen your knowledge.

Six other activities

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Follow online tutorials on functional dependencies and their applications

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Provide you with additional guidance and examples on the theory and application of functional dependencies in relational database design.

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Find tutorials that cover the basics of functional dependencies.
Follow the tutorials and complete the exercises provided.
Apply the concepts you learn to practical database design scenarios.

Participate in a study group to discuss concepts and solve problems

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Enhance your learning through collaboration, discussion, and peer support.

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Find a study group or form one with classmates.
Meet regularly to discuss course material.
Work together to solve problems and clarify concepts.

Attempt to design relational database schema for a real world scenario

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Help you understand the process and aspects of relational database design and apply the principles to practical use cases.

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Identify real world entities and their relationships.
Create an ER diagram to represent the entities and relationships.
Translate the ER diagram into a logical schema (relation schemas).
Identify functional dependencies and candidate keys.
Apply normalization techniques to ensure data integrity and reduce redundancy.

Design a relational database schema for a small business

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Provide you with hands-on experience in applying the principles of relational database design to a real-world scenario.

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Identify the business requirements and data needs.
Create an ER diagram to represent the entities and relationships.
Translate the ER diagram into a logical schema (relation schemas).
Apply normalization techniques to ensure data integrity and reduce redundancy.
Create a physical database implementation based on your schema.

Create a cheat sheet summarizing the principles of database normalization

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Help you solidify your understanding of database normalization principles and how to apply them effectively.

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Review the different normalization forms (NFs).
Identify the benefits and drawbacks of each NF.
Provide examples of how to apply normalization techniques to real-world scenarios.

Develop a mobile application with a backend relational database

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Challenge you to apply your knowledge of relational database design and implementation in a practical software development project.

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Plan the application architecture and database schema.
Implement the database backend using your preferred programming language.
Develop the mobile application frontend.
Test and debug the application to ensure data integrity and functionality.
Deploy and maintain the application.

Career center

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

Database Designer

Database Designers design and implement databases to meet the specific needs of organizations. This course in Relational Database Design is essential for this role as it provides a comprehensive understanding of data modeling, database design, and database optimization. The course covers the principles of entity-relationship modeling, functional dependencies, and database normalization, which are fundamental concepts for Database Designers to master. By completing this course, Database Designers can enhance their ability to design and implement robust, scalable, and efficient databases that effectively support business operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Designer

Data Architect

Data Architects design and manage the architecture of data systems to ensure data integrity, security, and performance. This course in Relational Database Design is highly relevant to this role as it provides a deep understanding of data modeling, database design, and data integration. The course covers the principles of entity-relationship modeling, functional dependencies, and database normalization, which are essential concepts for Data Architects to understand and apply in their work. By completing this course, Data Architects can enhance their ability to design and implement data architectures that meet the complex needs of modern organizations.

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Data Engineer

Data Engineers design, build, and maintain data pipelines and infrastructure. This course in Relational Database Design is highly relevant to this role as it provides a solid foundation in data modeling, data management, and data integration. The course covers the principles of entity-relationship modeling, functional dependencies, and database normalization, which are essential concepts for Data Engineers to understand and apply in their work. By completing this course, Data Engineers can enhance their ability to design and implement data pipelines and systems that effectively handle and process large volumes of data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Data Analyst

Data Analysts mine and analyze data to extract meaningful insights for decision-making. This course in Relational Database Design is valuable for this role as it provides a deep understanding of data structures and relationships. The course covers entity-relationship modeling, functional dependencies, and normalization techniques, which are fundamental concepts for understanding and working with data. By completing this course, Data Analysts can enhance their ability to design and manage databases, extract valuable insights, and make informed decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Business Intelligence Developer

Business Intelligence Developers design and develop business intelligence solutions to help organizations make data-driven decisions. This course in Relational Database Design provides a strong foundation for this role as it covers the principles of data modeling, data analysis, and data visualization. The course teaches how to design and implement relational databases, extract meaningful insights from data, and present findings in a clear and actionable manner. By completing this course, Business Intelligence Developers can enhance their ability to develop effective business intelligence solutions that drive informed decision-making within organizations.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators design, implement, and maintain databases to ensure data integrity and efficiency. This course in Relational Database Design provides a strong foundation for this role by teaching the principles of data modeling, functional dependencies, and database normalization. By understanding the concepts covered in this course, Database Administrators can effectively manage and optimize database systems to meet the needs of their organizations.

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Semantic Web Developer

Semantic Web Developers design and develop web applications that use semantic technologies to represent and process data. This course in Relational Database Design may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in data modeling and knowledge representation. The course covers the principles of designing and implementing relational databases, which can be beneficial for Semantic Web Developers who work with data in their projects. By understanding the concepts taught in this course, Semantic Web Developers can effectively design and develop web applications that leverage semantic technologies to improve data interoperability and reasoning.

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Ontologist

Ontologists develop and maintain ontologies to represent knowledge and relationships within a specific domain. This course in Relational Database Design may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in data modeling and knowledge representation. The course covers the principles of designing and implementing relational databases, which can be beneficial for Ontologists who work with data in their projects. By understanding the concepts taught in this course, Ontologists can effectively develop and maintain ontologies that accurately represent the knowledge and relationships within their domain.

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Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts design and implement computer systems to meet business needs. This course in Relational Database Design may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in data modeling and systems analysis. The course covers the principles of designing and implementing relational databases, which can be beneficial for Systems Analysts who work with data in their projects. By understanding the concepts taught in this course, Systems Analysts can effectively design and implement computer systems that meet the specific needs and requirements of organizations.

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Knowledge Engineer

Knowledge Engineers design and develop knowledge-based systems to capture and manage expert knowledge. This course in Relational Database Design may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in data modeling and knowledge representation. The course covers the principles of designing and implementing relational databases, which can be beneficial for Knowledge Engineers who work with data in their projects. By understanding the concepts taught in this course, Knowledge Engineers can effectively design and develop knowledge-based systems that accurately capture and represent expert knowledge.

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Management Consultant

Management Consultants advise organizations on how to improve their operations and performance. This course in Relational Database Design may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in data analysis and business process improvement. The course covers the principles of designing and implementing relational databases, which can be beneficial for Management Consultants who work with data in their projects. By understanding the concepts taught in this course, Management Consultants can effectively analyze business processes, identify areas for improvement, and develop data-driven recommendations for optimizing organizational performance.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data analysis and machine learning techniques to extract insights and make predictions from data. This course in Relational Database Design may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in data modeling and database management. The course covers the principles of designing and implementing relational databases, which can be beneficial for Data Scientists who work with data in their projects. By understanding the concepts taught in this course, Data Scientists can effectively manage and analyze data to develop accurate and reliable models.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes and systems to identify areas for improvement. This course in Relational Database Design may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in data modeling and business process analysis. The course covers the principles of designing and implementing relational databases, which can be beneficial for Business Analysts who work with data in their projects. By understanding the concepts taught in this course, Business Analysts can effectively analyze business processes and systems, and identify opportunities for improvement that leverage data and technology.

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Information Architect

Information Architects design and organize information systems to ensure usability and accessibility. This course in Relational Database Design may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in data modeling and data management. The course covers the principles of designing and implementing relational databases, which can be beneficial for Information Architects who work with data in their projects. By understanding the concepts taught in this course, Information Architects can effectively design and organize information systems that meet the needs of users and organizations.

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Software Developer

Software Developers design, develop, and maintain software applications. This course in Relational Database Design may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in data modeling and database management. The course covers the principles of designing and implementing relational databases, which can be beneficial for Software Developers who work with databases in their applications. By understanding the concepts taught in this course, Software Developers can effectively integrate and manage data within their software systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer