We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Sean Murdock, Matt Swaffer, Ben Goldberg, Amanda Moran, and Valerie Scarlata

Enroll in our online data modeling course for expert training. Learn to create relational and NoSQL models tailored to meet the diverse needs of data consumers.

Prerequisite details

To optimize your success in this program, we've created a list of prerequisites and recommendations to help you prepare for the curriculum. Prior to enrolling, you should have the following knowledge:

  • Intermediate Python
  • Intermediate SQL

You will also need to be able to communicate fluently and professionally in written and spoken English.

Here's a deal for you

Save money when you learn with a deal that may be relevant to this course.
All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.

What's inside

Syllabus

In this lesson, students will learn the basic difference between relational and non-relational databases, and how each type of database fits the diverse needs of data consumers.
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Examines the core differences between relational and NoSQL databases, which is essential knowledge for data architects and engineers
Develops relational database schemas and tables using Postgres, a popular open-source database management system
Provides hands-on experience with Apache Cassandra, a renowned NoSQL database, by creating tables and modeling event data
Enhances learners' understanding of data modeling, an indispensable skill for data professionals
Builds a strong foundation in data modeling concepts, making it suitable for beginners

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Practical data modeling with relational and nosql

According to students, this course provides a solid foundation in data modeling, effectively covering both relational and NoSQL databases. Learners particularly praise the clear explanations from the instructor and the hands-on labs and projects, which offer practical experience with technologies like Postgres and Apache Cassandra. While the course is largely well-received, a few learners noted that the NoSQL section could offer more in-depth coverage or that the pacing might be too fast for some, especially those seeking advanced topics. However, for those meeting the intermediate SQL and Python prerequisites, it effectively delivers on its promise of teaching data modeling for diverse needs.
Provides a strong understanding of core data modeling.
"I now feel confident designing database schemas for both relational and NoSQL systems."
"This is a very solid course on data modeling. It covers the basics well and introduces both relational and non-relational databases."
"I gained a solid understanding of data modeling basics and my understanding of data architecture has improved significantly."
Valuable labs and projects provide real-world application.
"The hands-on labs with Postgres and Cassandra were incredibly valuable. The project on the music streaming app was a highlight, very practical."
"I appreciate the practical exercises, especially with Cassandra. Overall, a great foundation."
"I liked the focus on practical application rather than just theory."
Instructor makes complex concepts easy to grasp.
"The instructor explained complex data modeling concepts in a way that was easy to understand."
"Excellent content and clear explanations. The course dives deep enough into data modeling principles..."
"Highly recommend this course. It clarifies many concepts around data modeling that I previously found confusing."
May lack depth for those with significant prior experience.
"As someone with significant prior experience, I was hoping for more advanced material; it might be okay for absolute beginners though."
"My main suggestion would be to include more advanced topics or real-world case studies for complex scenarios."
"The exercises were basic and didn't really challenge me, so I recommend this only for intermediates."
Pacing can be challenging; best for true intermediates.
"I struggled with the pacing at times; it assumes a strong background, even with the prerequisites mentioned."
"The course might be okay for absolute beginners, but the prerequisites suggest otherwise, leading to potential difficulty."
"This course requires dedication and a good grasp of the prerequisites, otherwise, it can be tough to keep up."
Some found NoSQL section (Cassandra) too superficial.
"The non-relational database section felt a bit superficial compared to the relational one."
"The Cassandra introduction was decent, but I felt I needed more external resources to fully grasp it for real-world applications."
"As someone with significant prior experience, I found the lectures too high-level and lacking depth in certain areas."

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 Data Modeling with these activities:
Organize Notes and Assignments
This course provides a lot of information. This activity will help you organize your notes and assignments so that you can easily find and review the material.
Show steps
  • Create a system for organizing your notes
  • File your assignments in a logical way
  • Review your materials regularly
Review 'Understanding Relational Databases'
This course requires a strong foundational understanding of relational databases and SQL. This activity will provide a refresher on the concepts and syntax used in relational databases.
Browse courses on Relational Databases
Show steps
  • Read Chapter 1: Introduction to Relational Databases
  • Complete the practice exercises in Chapter 1
SQL Practice Problems
This course relies heavily on SQL skills. Practicing SQL drills will help solidify your understanding of the language and improve your ability to write complex queries.
Show steps
  • Visit W3Schools SQL Practice
  • Complete 10 exercises
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Intro to Apache Cassandra Tutorial
This course introduces Apache Cassandra as a NoSQL database. This tutorial will provide a guided introduction to the basics of Cassandra.
Show steps
  • Read the Apache Cassandra documentation
  • Follow the steps in the tutorial
  • Create a sample Cassandra database
Create a Data Model Diagram
Data modeling is a key skill in this course. This activity will allow you to practice creating a data model diagram, which will help you visualize and understand the relationships between different data entities.
Show steps
  • Choose a simple real-world scenario
  • Identify the different data entities involved
  • Draw a diagram showing the relationships between the data entities
Data Modeling Study Group
This course heavily emphasizes data modeling skills. This activity will provide you with an opportunity to practice and improve your data modeling skills in a collaborative environment.
Show steps
  • Meet up with other students in the course
  • Discuss data modeling concepts
  • Work on data modeling problems together
Attend a Data Modeling Workshop
This course covers a lot of advanced data modeling techniques. This workshop will provide you with an opportunity to learn from experts and get hands-on experience with these techniques.
Show steps
  • Research data modeling workshops
  • Register for a workshop
  • Attend the workshop

Career center

Learners who complete Data Modeling will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Data Architect
Data Architects design the architecture, structure, and organization of data assets. They work alongside Data Engineers, Database Administrators, and Data Scientists to ensure the organization's databases and data warehouses are structured logically and consistently. This course will teach you the fundamentals of data modeling and help you build a solid foundation for a career as a Data Architect.
Data Engineer
Data Engineers build and maintain the infrastructure that stores and processes data. They work closely with Data Architects and Data Scientists to ensure that data is reliable, accessible, and secure. This course will teach you the fundamentals of data modeling and help you build a solid foundation for a career as a Data Engineer.
Database Administrator
Database Administrators are responsible for the day-to-day management and maintenance of databases. They ensure that databases are running smoothly, that data is backed up regularly, and that security is maintained. This course will teach you the fundamentals of data modeling and help you build a solid foundation for a career as a Database Administrator.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make predictions. They work with Data Engineers and Data Architects to gather, clean, and analyze data. This course will teach you the fundamentals of data modeling and help you build a solid foundation for a career as a Data Scientist.
Business Intelligence Analyst
Business Intelligence Analysts use data to help businesses make better decisions. They work with Data Engineers and Data Scientists to gather, clean, and analyze data. This course will teach you the fundamentals of data modeling and help you build a solid foundation for a career as a Business Intelligence Analyst.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts use data to identify trends and patterns. They work with Data Engineers and Data Scientists to gather, clean, and analyze data. This course will teach you the fundamentals of data modeling and help you build a solid foundation for a career as a Data Analyst.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work with Data Engineers and Data Scientists to build and maintain the software that stores and processes data. This course may be useful for Software Engineers who want to learn more about data modeling and how it can be used to improve the performance and scalability of software applications.
Data Warehouse Architect
Data Warehouse Architects design and build data warehouses. They work with Data Engineers and Data Scientists to ensure that data warehouses are structured logically and consistently. This course will teach you the fundamentals of data modeling and help you build a solid foundation for a career as a Data Warehouse Architect.
Database Designer
Database Designers design and build databases. They work with Data Engineers and Data Scientists to ensure that databases are structured logically and consistently. This course will teach you the fundamentals of data modeling and help you build a solid foundation for a career as a Database Designer.
Data Governance Analyst
Data Governance Analysts develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that data is used ethically and responsibly. They work with Data Engineers and Data Scientists to ensure that data is accurate, complete, and consistent. This course may be useful for Data Governance Analysts who want to learn more about data modeling and how it can be used to improve the quality of data.
Privacy Analyst
Privacy Analysts develop and implement policies and procedures to protect the privacy of individuals. They work with Data Engineers and Data Scientists to ensure that data is collected, used, and stored in a compliant manner. This course may be useful for Privacy Analysts who want to learn more about data modeling and how it can be used to improve the security of data.
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analysts develop and implement policies and procedures to protect the security of information systems. They work with Data Engineers and Data Scientists to ensure that data is protected from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course may be useful for Information Security Analysts who want to learn more about data modeling and how it can be used to improve the security of data.
Compliance Analyst
Compliance Analysts develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that organizations comply with applicable laws and regulations. They work with Data Engineers and Data Scientists to ensure that data is collected, used, and stored in a compliant manner. This course may be useful for Compliance Analysts who want to learn more about data modeling and how it can be used to improve compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. They work with Data Engineers and Data Scientists to ensure that data projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This course may be useful for Project Managers who want to learn more about data modeling and how it can be used to improve the planning and execution of data projects.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts gather and analyze data to help businesses make better decisions. They work with Data Engineers and Data Scientists to identify opportunities for improvement and develop solutions to business problems. This course may be useful for Business Analysts who want to learn more about data modeling and how it can be used to improve the quality of business decisions.

Reading list

We've selected five 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 Data Modeling.
Must-read for anyone who is interested in designing data-intensive applications. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of data modeling to more advanced topics such as data consistency and data partitioning.
Provides a comprehensive overview of HBase. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of HBase to more advanced topics such as data modeling and querying.
Provides a comprehensive overview of MongoDB. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of MongoDB to more advanced topics such as data modeling and querying.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Elasticsearch. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of Elasticsearch to more advanced topics such as data modeling and querying.
Provides a comprehensive overview of machine learning. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of machine learning to more advanced topics such as machine learning algorithms and machine learning applications.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser