Managing Big Data with MySQL from Coursera

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Syllabus

About this Specialization and Course

The Coursera Specialization, "Managing Big Data with MySQL" is about how 'Big Data' interacts with business, and how to use data analytics to create value for businesses. This specialization consists of four courses and a final Capstone Project, where you will apply your skills to a real-world business process. You will learn to perform sophisticated data-analysis functions using powerful software tools such as Microsoft Excel, Tableau, and MySQL. To learn more about the specialization, please review the first lesson below, "Specialization Introduction: Excel to MySQL: Analytic Techniques for Business." In this fourth course of this specialization, "Managing Big Data with MySQL” you will learn how relational databases work and how they are used in business analysis. Specifically, you will: (1) Describe the structure of relational databases; (2) Interpret and create entity-relationship diagrams and relational schemas that describe the contents of specific databases; (3) Write queries that retrieve and sort data that meet specific criteria, and retrieve such data from real MySQL and Teradata business databases that contain over 1 million rows of data; (4) Execute practices that limit the impact of your queries on other coworkers; (5) Summarize rows of data using aggregate functions, and segment aggregations according to specified variables; (6) Combine and manipulate data from multiple tables across a database; (7) Retrieve records and compute calculations that are dependent on dynamic data features; (8) Translate data analysis questions into SQL queries that accommodate the types of anomalies found in real data sets. By the end of this course, you will have a clear understanding of how relational databases work and have a portfolio of queries you can show potential employers. Businesses are collecting increasing amounts of information with the hope that data will yield novel insights into how to improve businesses. Analysts that understand how to access this data – this means you! – will have a strong competitive advantage in this data-smitten business world. To get started with this course, you can begin with, "Introduction to Managing Big Data with MySQL." Please take some time to not only watch the videos, but also read through the course overview as there is extremely important course information in the overview.

Understanding Relational Databases

Welcome to week 1! This week you will learn how relational databases are organized, and practice making and interpreting Entity Relationship (ER) diagrams and relational schemas that describe the structure of data stored in a database. By the end of the week, you will be able to: (1) Describe the fundamental principles of relational database design (2) Interpret Entity Relationship (ER) diagrams and Entity Relationship (ER) schemas, and (3) Create your own ER diagrams and relational schemas using a software tool called ERDPlus that you will use to aid your query-writing later in the course. This week’s exercises are donated from a well-known Database Systems textbook, and will help you deepen and strengthen your understanding of how relational databases are organized. This deeper understanding will help you navigate complicated business databases, and allow you to write more efficient queries. At the conclusion of the week, you will test your understanding of database design principles by completing the Week 1 graded quiz. To get started, please begin with the video “Problems with Having a Lot of Data Used by a Lot of People.” As always, if you have any questions, post them to the Discussions. I hope you enjoy this week's materials!

Queries to Extract Data from Single Tables

Welcome to week 2! This week, you will start interacting with business databases. You will write SQL queries that query data from two real companies. One data set, donated from a local start-up in Durham, North Carolina called Dognition, is a MySQL database containing tables of over 1 million rows. The other data set, donated from a national US department store chain called Dillard’s, is a Teradata database containing tables with over a hundred million rows. By the end of the week, you will be able to:1. Use two different database user interfaces2. Write queries to verify and describe all the contents of the Dognition MySQL database and the Dillard’s Teradata database3. Retrieve data that meet specific criteria in a socially-responsible using SELECT, FROM, WHERE, LIMIT, and TOP clauses, and4. Format the data you retrieve using aliases, DISTINCT clauses, and ORDER BY clauses.Make sure to watch the instructional videos about how to use the database interfaces we have established for this course, and complete both the MySQL and the Teradata exercises. At the end of the week, you will test your understanding of the SQL syntax introduced this week by completing the Week 2 graded quiz.To get started, please begin with the video “Introduction to Week 2.” As always, if you have any questions, post them to the Discussions. Enjoy this week's materials!

Queries to Summarize Groups of Data from Multiple Tables

Welcome to week 3! This week, we are going to learn the SQL syntax that allows you to segment your data into separate categories and segment. We are also going to learn how to combine data stored in separate tables. By the end of the week, you will be able to: (1) Summarize values across entire columns, and break those summaries up according to specific variables or values in others columns using GROUP BY and HAVING clauses (2) Combine information from multiple tables using inner and outer joins (3) Use strategies to manage joins between tables with duplicate rows, many-to-many relationships, and atypical configurations (4) Practice one of the slightly more challenging use cases of aggregation functions, and (5) Work with the Dognition database to learn more about how MySQL handles mismatched aggregation levels. Make sure to watch the videos about joins, and complete both the MySQL and the Teradata exercises. At the end of the week, you will test your understanding of the SQL syntax introduced this week by completing the Week 3 graded quiz. We strongly encourage you to use the course Discussions to help each other with questions. To get started, please begin with the video 'Welcome to Week 3.’ I hope you enjoy this week’s materials!

Queries to Address More Detailed Business Questions

Welcome to week 4, the final week of Managing Big Data with MySQL! This week you will practice integrating the SQL syntax you’ve learn so far into queries that address analysis questions typical of those you will complete as a business data analyst. By the end of the week, you will be able to: (1) Design and execute subqueries (2) Introduce logical conditions into your queries using IF and CASE statements (3) Implement analyses that accommodate missing data or data mistakes, and (4) Write complex queries that incorporate many tables and clauses. By the end of this week you will feel confident claiming that you know how to write SQL queries to create business value. Due to the extensive nature of the queries we will practice this week, we have put the graded quiz that tests your understanding of the SQL strategies you will practice in its own week rather than including it in this week’s materials. Make sure to complete both the MySQL exercises and the Teradata exercises, and we strongly encourage you to use the course Discussions to help each other with questions. To get started, please begin with the video 'Welcome to Week 4.’ I hope you enjoy this week’s materials!

Strengthen and Test Your Understanding

This week contains the final ungraded Teradata exercises, and the final graded quiz for the course. The exercises are intended to hone and build your understanding of the last important concepts in the course, and lead directly to the quiz so be sure to do both!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches skills, knowledge, and tools that are highly relevant to industry

Taught by Daniel Egger and Jana Schaich Borg, who are recognized for their work in this field

Develops skills and knowledge in relational databases, which are core skills for business analysts

Builds a strong foundation for beginners in relational databases and data analytics

Strengthens an existing foundation for intermediate learners in relational databases and data analytics

Requires no prior experience or knowledge in relational databases or data analytics

Explicitly advises students to take the previous three courses in the specialization first as prerequisites

Does not include hands-on labs or interactive materials

Reviews summary

Big data mastery with mysql

Learners say this course is largely positive, especially for learning the basics of SQL. It provides many hands-on assignments, practice exercises, and real-life examples. The instructors are praised for their clear explanations and helpful guidance. However, some students found the course to be challenging, particularly in the final week. Additionally, there were occasional technical issues with the Jupyter Notebooks.

While some students found the course to be challenging, they also acknowledged that it helped them learn a lot.

"The course is really good and give a great knowledge with good practicing."

"Toughness is also there so if u try hard u will get the benefits"

"Very advanced and a good coarse to start studying about sql,toughness is also there so if u try hard u will get the benefits"

Students appreciated the instructors' clear explanations and willingness to answer questions.

"Great helpful and I have a good grasp of SQL knowledge NOW!"

"The instructor explains the topics really well."

"The explanations were great"

Learners found the assignments and practice exercises to be valuable in reinforcing the concepts they learned in the videos.

"Very nice course to practice and practice query"

"It was nice to get knowledge of SQL language ... I enjoyed learning."

"Working with real-company_data was great."

Students reported some technical issues with the Teradata platform used in the course.

"Teradata is the most disgusting thing you can ever use"

"cannot complete due to lack of access to one of the tools they require"

"the issue of TERADATA needs to be fixed."

Some students found the learning curve to be steep, especially towards the end of the course.

"The course design is excellent, but the issue of TERADATA needs to be fixed."

"Learning curve was very steep towards the end of the course though."

"WEEK 5 EXERCISES IN TERADA COULD HAVE BEEN LESS TIME CONSUMING IF FEEDBACKS WERE GIVEN FOR EVERY STEPS THAT YOU ACCOPLISHED."

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 Managing Big Data with MySQL with these activities:

Read 'SQL Queries for Mere Mortals'

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of SQL queries.

View SQL Queries for Mere Mortals on Amazon

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Read the book 'SQL Queries for Mere Mortals'.
Take notes and highlight important concepts.
Complete the exercises provided in the book.

Review SQL Syntax

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Review the syntax required to build and access databases.

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Read course material on SQL syntax.
Practice writing queries on a local database.
Review additional resources on SQL syntax.

Review 'Database Systems: The Complete Book'

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This book by Hector Garcia-Molina and Jeffrey D. Ullman is considered a bible for database systems. Reviewing the concepts, techniques, and case studies in the book will provide a solid foundation for this course.

View Database Systems: The Complete Book on Amazon

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Read the chapters on Relational Model, SQL, and Database Design
Complete the exercises in the textbook
Create a short summary of each chapter you read

Six other activities

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Follow SQL Tutorials

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Follow tutorials to gain a deeper understanding of SQL concepts.

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Follow the SQL tutorials provided in the course.
Find additional SQL tutorials online.
Practice applying the concepts learned from the tutorials.

SQL Resource Compilation

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Gather and organize useful SQL resources for future reference.

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Collect SQL resources from various sources.
Organize the resources into a central location.
Annotate the resources with brief descriptions.

Practice SQL queries

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Writing SQL queries is a fundamental skill for data analysis. Practice writing queries on the sample dataset provided in the course materials to reinforce your understanding and improve your proficiency.

Browse courses on SQL

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Install a database management system like MySQL or PostgreSQL
Load the sample dataset provided in the course materials into your database
Write queries to retrieve data from the database
Use different SQL operators and clauses to filter, sort, and aggregate data

Query Practice Exercises

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Execute queries to retrieve data from databases.

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Complete the MySQL exercises from the course.
Complete the Teradata exercises from the course.
Find additional query practice exercises online.

Join a study group

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Forming a study group with other students in the course can provide a supportive learning environment. Collaborate to discuss course concepts, work through assignments, and quiz each other to enhance comprehension.

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Connect with other students through the course discussion board or online forums
Schedule regular study sessions via video conferencing or in-person meetups
Take turns presenting course material and leading discussions
Work together to solve practice problems and assignments

Project: Data Analysis

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Create a project that applies SQL skills to analyze data and solve business problems.

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Identify a business problem that can be solved with data analysis.
Collect and clean the necessary data.
Analyze the data using SQL queries.
Interpret the results and draw conclusions.
Present the findings in a clear and concise manner.

Career center

Learners who complete Managing Big Data with MySQL will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Business Analyst

Business Analysts identify and analyze business needs and develop solutions to improve business processes. They use data to support their analysis and recommendations. The Managing Big Data with MySQL course can help Business Analysts enhance their data analysis skills and gain a deeper understanding of how to use data to drive business decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract knowledge and insights from data. They develop and implement data-driven solutions to solve real-world problems. The Managing Big Data with MySQL course can provide Data Scientists with a solid foundation in data management and analysis, helping them build a strong foundation for their career.

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Database Designer

Database Designers design and develop database schemas and structures. They ensure that databases are able to meet the needs of the business and that data is stored and managed efficiently. The Managing Big Data with MySQL course can provide Database Designers with a solid foundation in relational database design, enabling them to design and implement robust and scalable databases.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect data from various databases and analyze the big data to help businesses improve their strategies and functions. They use their expertise in writing complex queries to extract, segment, and combine data from multiple tables to draw insights that may not be apparent on the surface. The Managing Big Data with MySQL course can help Data Analysts strengthen their skills in data extraction, summarization, and analysis, making them even more valuable to potential employers.

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Data Engineer

Data Engineers build and maintain the infrastructure and tools that support data analysis and data science. They design and implement data pipelines to extract, transform, and load data into data warehouses and data lakes. The Managing Big Data with MySQL course can provide Data Engineers with a solid foundation in data management and analysis, helping them build a strong foundation for their career.

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Data Architect

Data Architects design, develop, and maintain data architectures for organizations. They ensure that data is stored, managed, and used effectively to meet business needs. The Managing Big Data with MySQL course can help Data Architects gain a deeper understanding of relational databases and data management techniques, enabling them to design and implement robust and scalable data architectures.

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Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers design, develop, and deploy machine learning models. They use their expertise in machine learning algorithms and data analysis to create models that can solve real-world problems. The Managing Big Data with MySQL course can provide Machine Learning Engineers with a solid foundation in data management and analysis, helping them build a strong foundation for their career.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators are responsible for the performance, security, and availability of databases. They design, implement, and maintain databases, and ensure that they are operating efficiently and securely. The Managing Big Data with MySQL course can help Database Administrators build a solid foundation in relational database design, query optimization, and data management, enabling them to excel in their roles.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They use their expertise in programming languages and software development tools to create and implement solutions to meet business needs. The Managing Big Data with MySQL course can help Software Engineers gain a deeper understanding of relational databases and data management techniques, enabling them to develop more efficient and robust software solutions.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and manage projects to achieve specific goals and objectives. They work with stakeholders to define project scope, develop project plans, and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. The Managing Big Data with MySQL course can help Project Managers gain a deeper understanding of data management and analysis techniques, enabling them to effectively plan and manage data-intensive projects.

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System Administrator

System Administrators install, configure, and maintain computer systems and networks. They ensure that systems are running smoothly and securely. The Managing Big Data with MySQL course can help System Administrators gain a deeper understanding of database management and administration, enabling them to effectively manage and maintain complex systems.

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Information Systems Manager

Information Systems Managers plan, implement, and manage information systems within an organization. They oversee the acquisition, development, deployment, and maintenance of hardware, software, and networks. The Managing Big Data with MySQL course can help Information Systems Managers gain a deeper understanding of data management and analysis techniques, empowering them to make informed decisions about the design and implementation of information systems.

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