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SQL Fundamentals

Cody Baldwin

Students learn to construct a wide variety of SQL statements – from beginning to more advanced concepts – such as joins, common table expressions, window functions, etc. Students also learn the basics of query optimization and data modeling.

What you'll learn

In this SQL course, you will learn to construct a variety of SQL statements; query and prepare data in response to business questions; and design a database to meet a business need and technical requirements.

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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers basic to more advanced SQL statement construction
Delves into topics standard in industry, such as common table expressions and window functions
Provides learners with foundational data modeling skills
Strengthens foundational knowledge of SQL for intermediate learners
Leads learners in constructing varied SQL statements
Taught by recognized instructor Cody Baldwin

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Reviews summary

Sql fundamentals: strong foundational learning

According to students, SQL Fundamentals offers a largely positive learning experience, particularly praised for its clear and engaging instruction and strong hands-on exercises that apply to real-world scenarios. Many learners found it to be an excellent introduction and a solid foundation for SQL, building logically from basics. However, a notable point of feedback is that the course's coverage of advanced topics like query optimization and window functions can feel superficial or rushed, leading some more experienced learners to find it lacks depth. It appears most suitable for beginners to intermediate learners aiming for practical application rather than deep mastery of advanced concepts.
Ideal for new learners or those seeking to refresh basic to intermediate skills.
"I highly recommend this course for beginners to intermediate learners looking for practical application."
"I found it better for absolute beginners, but not for those looking for advanced skills."
"It's good for anyone starting out in data, but expect to do some external practice for mastery."
Provides a solid, well-structured introduction to SQL for beginners.
"This course is absolutely fantastic for anyone wanting to get a solid grasp of SQL."
"It is an excellent introduction to SQL. The course content is well-structured and progressive."
"As someone completely new to SQL, this course was a godsend. It starts from the absolute basics and builds up logically."
Offers valuable hands-on exercises and real-world scenarios.
"The hands-on exercises were particularly useful and helped me solidify my understanding."
"I especially appreciated the real-world scenarios presented in the problem sets, which made the learning very relevant to my job."
"The practical approach made all the difference. I found it highly practical and relevant for anyone in data analysis or business intelligence."
The instructor provides exceptionally clear explanations.
"The instructor's explanations are incredibly clear, breaking down complex topics like window functions into easily digestible parts."
"Everything is explained in a way that just clicks. The practical examples were incredibly helpful..."
"I feel confident now writing complex queries. The instructor is patient and articulates concepts clearly."
A few reviews noted some audio quality or outdated interface elements.
"The course content is decent, but the production quality could be better. I noticed some audio issues and occasionally outdated interface screenshots."
Advanced concepts might lack the in-depth coverage some learners expect.
"I found the section on query optimization a bit rushed, and it could use more examples."
"I was disappointed with the depth of explanation for advanced topics. The treatment of CTEs and window functions felt superficial."
"This course is not for advanced learners. It barely scratches the surface of query optimization and data modeling."

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 SQL Fundamentals with these activities:
Review SQL concepts before the course
Strengthen your knowledge of foundational SQL concepts to prepare for the course.
Show steps
  • Review your notes from previous SQL courses or tutorials.
  • Go through online resources or textbooks to refresh your understanding.
  • Complete practice exercises to test your knowledge.
Review SQL concepts
Brush up on basic SQL concepts to strengthen your foundation before starting this course.
Browse courses on Structured Query Language
Show steps
  • Read through online tutorials or documentation on SQL syntax.
  • Review examples of SQL statements and their uses.
  • Try out the basic SQL commands on a sample database.
Follow SQL tutorials
Expand your knowledge of SQL by following interactive tutorials.
Show steps
  • Find tutorials that cover specific SQL topics you want to learn.
  • Follow the instructions in the tutorials step-by-step.
  • Practice the concepts you learn by completing the exercises provided in the tutorials.
Ten other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 13 activities
Review SQL basics
Brush up on the fundamental concepts of SQL to strengthen your foundation before taking the course.
Show steps
  • Review online resources or tutorials that cover basic SQL concepts.
  • Practice writing simple SQL queries using an online SQL editor or practice database.
Join a SQL study group
Enhance your learning by collaborating with peers in a SQL study group.
Show steps
  • Find or create a SQL study group with peers who have similar learning goals.
  • Meet regularly to discuss course material, share insights, and work on projects together.
  • Provide support and motivation to each other.
Read 'SQL Cookbook' by Anthony DeBarros
Supplement your learning with practical recipes and insights from an industry expert.
View Practical SQL, 2nd Edition on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book.
  • Read specific chapters relevant to the topics covered in the course.
  • Apply the techniques and solutions provided in the book to your own SQL projects.
Join a SQL study group
Engage with peers in discussions and exercises to reinforce your understanding of SQL concepts and techniques.
Show steps
  • Find a study group or create your own with classmates or online.
  • Meet regularly to discuss SQL concepts, work on problems together, and share knowledge.
  • Collaborate on projects or assignments to apply your skills in a team setting.
Follow tutorials on advanced SQL concepts
Expand your SQL knowledge by following guided tutorials on advanced concepts covered in this course.
Browse courses on SQL Joins
Show steps
  • Identify specific advanced SQL concepts you want to learn.
  • Search for reputable online tutorials or courses covering these concepts.
  • Follow the tutorials, taking notes and practicing the concepts.
Create SQL queries
Develop your SQL querying skills by practicing writing your own queries.
Browse courses on SQL Queries
Show steps
  • Identify a specific business question to answer.
  • Design a query that retrieves the necessary data.
  • Execute the query and analyze the results.
Practice SQL statement writing
Reinforce your understanding of SQL syntax and practice writing queries to retrieve and manipulate data.
Show steps
  • Set up a SQL development environment.
  • Create a practice database with sample data.
  • Use SQL commands to query and modify the data in the practice database.
Attend a SQL workshop
Deepen your understanding of SQL through hands-on practice in a workshop setting.
Browse courses on Advanced SQL
Show steps
  • Identify SQL workshops that align with your learning goals.
  • Register for the workshop and attend all sessions.
  • Actively participate in discussions and exercises.
  • Apply the concepts and techniques learned in the workshop to your own projects.
Explore advanced SQL techniques
Enhance your SQL skills by learning and practicing advanced techniques such as joins, common table expressions, and window functions.
Browse courses on Joins
Show steps
  • Research and identify online tutorials or courses that cover advanced SQL techniques.
  • Select a tutorial or course that aligns with your learning goals.
  • Complete the tutorial or course, working through exercises and examples to practice the techniques.
Develop a SQL query optimization plan
Apply your knowledge of SQL optimization to create a plan for improving the performance of a complex SQL query.
Browse courses on Query Optimization
Show steps
  • Analyze the SQL query to identify areas for optimization.
  • Research and explore different optimization techniques.
  • Implement the optimization techniques in the SQL query.
  • Test and measure the performance improvements of the optimized query.

Career center

Learners who complete SQL Fundamentals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Data Analyst
Data Analysts work with a wide variety of SQL statements, from simple queries to complex joins and window functions. They use SQL to extract insights from data, identify trends, and build reports. The SQL Fundamentals course from the University of Wisconsin-Madison can help you build a strong foundation in SQL and prepare you for a career as a Data Analyst. The course covers a wide range of SQL topics, including data modeling, query optimization, and common table expressions. This knowledge will be essential for success as a Data Analyst.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Business Analyst
Business Analysts use SQL to gather and analyze data from a variety of sources. They use this data to identify business needs and develop solutions. The SQL Fundamentals course from the University of Wisconsin-Madison can help you build a strong foundation in SQL and prepare you for a career as a Business Analyst. The course covers a wide range of SQL topics, including data modeling, query optimization, and common table expressions. This knowledge will be essential for success as a Business Analyst.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Database Administrator
Database Administrators are responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of databases. They use SQL to create and manage databases, as well as to optimize performance. The SQL Fundamentals course from the University of Wisconsin-Madison can help you build a strong foundation in SQL and prepare you for a career as a Database Administrator. The course covers a wide range of SQL topics, including data modeling, query optimization, and common table expressions. This knowledge will be essential for success as a Database Administrator.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use SQL to extract insights from data. They use this data to build models and develop solutions to business problems. The SQL Fundamentals course from the University of Wisconsin-Madison can help you build a strong foundation in SQL and prepare you for a career as a Data Scientist. The course covers a wide range of SQL topics, including data modeling, query optimization, and common table expressions. This knowledge will be essential for success as a Data Scientist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Software Engineer
Software Engineers use SQL to develop and maintain software applications. They use SQL to create and manage databases, as well as to optimize performance. The SQL Fundamentals course from the University of Wisconsin-Madison can help you build a strong foundation in SQL and prepare you for a career as a Software Engineer. The course covers a wide range of SQL topics, including data modeling, query optimization, and common table expressions. This knowledge will be essential for success as a Software Engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Web Developer
Web Developers use SQL to create and manage databases for websites. They use SQL to store and retrieve data, as well as to optimize performance. The SQL Fundamentals course from the University of Wisconsin-Madison can help you build a strong foundation in SQL and prepare you for a career as a Web Developer. The course covers a wide range of SQL topics, including data modeling, query optimization, and common table expressions. This knowledge will be essential for success as a Web Developer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer
Data Architect
Data Architects design and implement data management solutions. They use SQL to create and manage databases, as well as to optimize performance. The SQL Fundamentals course from the University of Wisconsin-Madison can help you build a strong foundation in SQL and prepare you for a career as a Data Architect. The course covers a wide range of SQL topics, including data modeling, query optimization, and common table expressions. This knowledge will be essential for success as a Data Architect.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Architect
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analysts use SQL to identify and mitigate security risks. They use SQL to analyze data and identify patterns that may indicate a security breach. The SQL Fundamentals course from the University of Wisconsin-Madison can help you build a strong foundation in SQL and prepare you for a career as an Information Security Analyst. The course covers a wide range of SQL topics, including data modeling, query optimization, and common table expressions. This knowledge will be essential for success as an Information Security Analyst.
See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst
Cloud Engineer
Cloud Engineers use SQL to manage cloud-based databases. They use SQL to create and manage databases, as well as to optimize performance. The SQL Fundamentals course from the University of Wisconsin-Madison can help you build a strong foundation in SQL and prepare you for a career as a Cloud Engineer. The course covers a wide range of SQL topics, including data modeling, query optimization, and common table expressions. This knowledge will be essential for success as a Cloud Engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer
ETL Developer
ETL Developers use SQL to extract, transform, and load data from a variety of sources. They use SQL to create and manage data pipelines, as well as to optimize performance. The SQL Fundamentals course from the University of Wisconsin-Madison can help you build a strong foundation in SQL and prepare you for a career as an ETL Developer. The course covers a wide range of SQL topics, including data modeling, query optimization, and common table expressions. This knowledge will be essential for success as an ETL Developer.
See salaries and explore the career path for ETL Developer
Data Integration Specialist
Data Integration Specialists use SQL to integrate data from a variety of sources. They use SQL to create and manage data warehouses and data lakes, as well as to optimize performance. The SQL Fundamentals course from the University of Wisconsin-Madison can help you build a strong foundation in SQL and prepare you for a career as a Data Integration Specialist. The course covers a wide range of SQL topics, including data modeling, query optimization, and common table expressions. This knowledge will be essential for success as a Data Integration Specialist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Integration Specialist
Technical Writer
Technical Writers use SQL to write documentation for software and hardware products. They use SQL to create and maintain databases, as well as to optimize performance. The SQL Fundamentals course from the University of Wisconsin-Madison can help you build a strong foundation in SQL and prepare you for a career as a Technical Writer. The course covers a wide range of SQL topics, including data modeling, query optimization, and common table expressions. This knowledge will be essential for success as a Technical Writer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer
Product Manager
Product Managers use SQL to analyze data and track product performance. They use SQL to identify trends and make decisions about product development. The SQL Fundamentals course from the University of Wisconsin-Madison can help you build a strong foundation in SQL and prepare you for a career as a Product Manager. The course covers a wide range of SQL topics, including data modeling, query optimization, and common table expressions. This knowledge will be essential for success as a Product Manager.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts use SQL to analyze financial data. They use SQL to create and maintain databases, as well as to optimize performance. The SQL Fundamentals course from the University of Wisconsin-Madison can help you build a strong foundation in SQL and prepare you for a career as a Financial Analyst. The course covers a wide range of SQL topics, including data modeling, query optimization, and common table expressions. This knowledge will be essential for success as a Financial Analyst.
See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst
Market Researcher
Market Researchers use SQL to analyze data and track market trends. They use SQL to identify trends and make decisions about product development. The SQL Fundamentals course from the University of Wisconsin-Madison can help you build a strong foundation in SQL and prepare you for a career as a Market Researcher. The course covers a wide range of SQL topics, including data modeling, query optimization, and common table expressions. This knowledge will be essential for success as a Market Researcher.
See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Reading list

We've selected ten 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 SQL Fundamentals.
Cover image
SQL Queries for Mere Mortals
Save
Provides an easy-to-read guide to the full range of SQL queries. Its strengths lie in its clearly detailed examples and thorough treatment of basic SQL commands. It is valuable to both beginners and intermediate learners.
SQL Queries for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On Guide to...
Kindle Edition
$$
SQL Queries for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On Guide to...
Paperback
$$
SQL Queries for Mere Mortals: A Hands-on Guide to...
Paperback
$$
SQL Queries for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On Guide to...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Head First SQL
Save
Visual, interactive guide to SQL. It uses a conversational tone and a humorous approach to make learning SQL more enjoyable. This book is an excellent choice for students who prefer a more engaging and less technical learning experience.
Head First SQL: Your Brain on SQL -- A Learner's...
Paperback
$$
Head First SQL 1st (first) edition Text Only
Unknown Binding
$$$
(Deutsch) SQL von Kopf bis Fuß (German Edition)
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
MySQL Crash Course
Save
Provides a quick and easy introduction to SQL. It covers the basics of data manipulation and query writing. This book valuable resource for students who need a quick overview of SQL or who are looking to refresh their knowledge.
MySQL Crash Course
Paperback
$$
MySQL Crash Course
Kindle Edition
$$
(中文) MySQL必知必会 (图灵程序设计丛书 97) (Chinese Edition)
Kindle Edition
$
(中文) MySQL Crash Course(Chinese Edition)
Paperback
$$
Cover image
SQL Performance Tuning
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to SQL performance tuning. It covers a wide range of topics, from query optimization to database design. This book valuable resource for students who want to learn how to improve the performance of their SQL queries.
SQL Performance Tuning
Paperback
$$
Cover image
SQL Antipatterns, Volume 1
Save
Provides a guide to common SQL antipatterns. It covers a wide range of topics, from performance issues to security vulnerabilities. This book valuable resource for students who want to learn how to write efficient and secure SQL queries.
SQL Antipatterns, Volume 1: Avoiding the Pitfalls...
Paperback
$$
SQL Antipatterns, Volume 1
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
SQL Injection Attacks and Defense
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to SQL injection attacks and defense. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of SQL injection to advanced defense techniques. This book valuable resource for students who want to learn how to protect their databases from SQL injection attacks.
SQL Injection Attacks and Defense
Paperback
$$$
SQL Injection Attacks and Defense
Paperback
$$$
SQL Injection Attacks and Defense
Kindle Edition
$$
SQL Injection Attacks and Defense
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Database Systems: The Complete Book
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to database systems. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of data modeling to advanced database design techniques. This book valuable resource for students who want to gain a deep understanding of database systems.
Database Systems: The Complete Book
Kindle Edition
$$$
Database Systems The Complete Book
Paperback
$$
Database Systems: The Complete Book
Hardcover
$$$$
Goal Student Access Code Card for Database Systems:...
Printed Access Code
$$
Cover image
NoSQL Distilled
Save
Provides a concise guide to NoSQL databases. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of NoSQL to advanced data modeling techniques. This book valuable resource for students who want to gain a quick overview of NoSQL databases.
NoSQL Distilled: A Brief Guide to the Emerging...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
MongoDB: The Definitive Guide
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to MongoDB. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of MongoDB to advanced data modeling techniques. This book valuable resource for students who want to gain a deep understanding of MongoDB.
MongoDB: The Definitive Guide
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Redis in Action
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to Redis. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of Redis to advanced data modeling techniques. This book valuable resource for students who want to gain a deep understanding of Redis.
Redis in Action
Kindle Edition
$$

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Course image
Effort
12 to 15 hours per week for 8 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
The University of Wisconsin-Madison
Instructor
Cody Baldwin
Language
English
Transcript
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers basic to more advanced SQL statement construction
Delves into topics standard in industry, such as common table expressions and window functions
Provides learners with foundational data modeling skills
Strengthens foundational knowledge of SQL for intermediate learners
Leads learners in constructing varied SQL statements
Taught by recognized instructor Cody Baldwin
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