Managing Big Data with MySQL from Coursera

This course is an introduction to how to use relational databases in business analysis. You will learn how relational databases work, and how to use entity-relationship diagrams to display the structure of the data held within them. This knowledge will help you understand how data needs to be collected in business contexts, and help you identify features you want to consider if you are involved in implementing new data collection efforts. You will also learn how to execute the most useful query and table aggregation statements for business analysts, and practice using them with real databases. No more waiting 48 hours for someone else in the company to provide data to you – you will be able to get the data by yourself!

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.

What's inside

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.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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

Practical mysql for business analysis

According to students, this course provides a solid foundation in using relational databases like MySQL for business analysis. Many appreciate the opportunity to work with real datasets like Dognition and Dillard's, finding the hands-on exercises particularly valuable for applying SQL concepts. Learners highlight the clear explanations of core topics like joins, aggregations, and ER diagrams. While the course is largely seen as positive and relevant for a career in data analysis, some students encountered challenges with the Teradata platform and found the quizzes demanding, occasionally needing supplemental resources.

May be fast for absolute beginners.

"As a complete beginner, the pace was sometimes overwhelming. I had to rewatch lectures and rely heavily on the forums."

"Prior database or SQL knowledge would make this course easier, but it's manageable if you put in extra effort."

"Good course overall, but I'd recommend having some familiarity with basic coding concepts beforehand."

Concepts explained clearly by instructor.

"The instructor explains complex topics clearly, breaking them down into manageable parts."

"I appreciated the instructor's clear and concise delivery throughout the course."

"Lectures were easy to follow thanks to the instructor's teaching style."

Skills directly applicable to data analysis jobs.

"The course material is relevant for anyone wanting to use SQL for business intelligence or data analysis."

"I learned how to write complex queries that address analysis questions typical of those you will complete as a business data analyst."

"Great for building a portfolio of queries to show potential employers."

Covers essential SQL for business use.

"This course provides a solid foundation for using SQL in a business context. It covers the most useful queries."

"The explanations of joins and aggregations were very clear. I feel much more confident querying data now."

"Helped me understand how relational databases work and how to structure efficient queries for business questions."

Learn with millions of rows of real data.

"The hands-on exercises with the Dognition database were incredibly valuable. Applying SQL to a real million-row dataset made the concepts stick."

"Working with the Dillard's dataset on Teradata felt like working with real-world scale, even with the technical glitches."

"I really appreciated getting to query actual business data rather than just sample data."

Quizzes require precise syntax understanding.

"The quizzes were harder than expected, really testing the fine details. Make sure you understand the syntax precisely."

"I found the weekly quizzes quite challenging and they required a thorough understanding of the material."

"Be prepared for quizzes that test specific syntax points."

Some technical issues reported.

"I struggled a lot with the Teradata environment. It was clunky and sometimes didn't work, which was frustrating."

"Accessing and running queries on the Teradata database provided some technical hurdles."

"The Teradata interface wasn't as smooth as MySQL, occasionally disrupting the learning flow."

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'

Show steps

Gain a comprehensive understanding of SQL queries.

View SQL Queries for Mere Mortals on Amazon

Show steps

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

Review SQL Syntax

Show steps

Review the syntax required to build and access databases.

Browse courses on SQL Syntax

Show steps

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'

Show steps

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

Show steps

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

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all nine activities

Follow SQL Tutorials

Show steps

Follow tutorials to gain a deeper understanding of SQL concepts.

Browse courses on Database Fundamentals

Show steps

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

SQL Resource Compilation

Show steps

Gather and organize useful SQL resources for future reference.

Show steps

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

Practice SQL queries

Show steps

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

Show steps

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

Show steps

Execute queries to retrieve data from databases.

Browse courses on Query Execution

Show steps

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

Join a study group

Show steps

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.

Show steps

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

Show steps

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

Browse courses on Data Science Project

Show steps

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Designer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Architect

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for System Administrator

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Systems Manager