INDIVIDUAL LEARNERS
S C H O O L O F D ATA S C I E N C E
Introduction to SQL
Course Syllabus
Overview
When it comes to extracting insights from stored data, SQL is one of the most versatile tools available. Learn how to execute
core SQL commands to define, select, manipulate, control, aggregate, and join data and data tables. Understand when and
how to use subqueries, several window functions, and partitions to complete complex tasks. Clean data, optimize SQL queries,
and write select advanced JOINs to enhance analysis performance. Explain which cases would use particular SQL commands
and apply the results from from queries to address business problems.
Built in collaboration with:
Program information
Estimated Time Skill Level
1 month Intermediate
Prerequisites
None
Required Hardware/Software
Learners will need a desktop or laptop computer running recent versions of Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux as well as an
unmetered broadband internet connection. For an ideal learning experience, a computer with Mac or Linux OS is recommended.
Introduction to SQL 2
Course Project
Deforestation Exploration
In this project, the learner will act as a data analyst for an organization on a mission to reduce deforestation
around the world and raise awareness about this important environmental topic. First, they’ll clean any
erroneous values in a table, join that table to another lookup table to bring in a new categorical and
quantitative variable, and return a new view of all categories greater than a reference value.
Then, the learner will create and execute SQL queries to perform calculations using variables from those
disparate data sets to answer questions for stakeholders. Their analysis will help them better understand
which countries and regions around the world seem to have forests that are shrinking in size, and also
which countries and regions have the most significant forest area.
Lastly, learners will compile their answers and summarize their analysis into a report that can be shared
with a leadership team.
Lesson 1 • Write common SQL commands including SELECT, FROM, and WHERE.
Basic SQL • Use logical operators like LIKE, AND, and OR.
• Write JOINs in SQL to combine data from multiple sources to answer more
Lesson 2
complex business questions.
SQL Joins • Understand different types of JOINs and when to use each type.
Lesson 3 • Write common aggregations in SQL including COUNT, SUM, MIN, and MAX.
SQL Aggregations • Write CASE and DATE functions, as well as work with NULLs.
Introduction to SQL 3
Lesson 4 • Write subqueries to run multiple queries together.
• Learn the types of subquery placement and formatting.
SQL Subqueries &
Temporary Tables • Use temp tables to access a table with more than one query.
• Learn and apply the basics of data cleaning strategies in SQL to normalize or
Lesson 5 create a column from existing data.
SQL Data Cleaning • Perform the appropriate data-cleaning methodology based on goals for further
analysis.
• Apply core window functions to tackle analysis tasks that require further
Lesson 6 targeting or segmentation.
SQL Window Functions • Use other window functions including RANK, NTILE, LAG, and LEAD, and use
new functions along with partitions to complete complex tasks.
• Learn how and when to use advanced JOINs (e.g. self-JOINs) to write queries
Lesson 7
that run quickly across giant datasets.
SQL Advanced JOINs & • Learn the high-level tradeoffs with queries, including performance and what
Performance Tuning you can do to optimize them.
Introduction to SQL 4
Meet your instructors.
Malavica Sridhar
Product Manager at Waymo
Mal Sridhar is currently a product manager at Waymo. Prior to her current role, she was a senior
product manager at CircleUp. Mal started her career as a management consultant at McKinsey &
Company and is passionate about leveraging data to transform industries.
Ziad Saab
Software Developer
Ziad is a seasoned software developer who loves mentoring and teaching. Currently working as
an independent contractor, he previously co-founded and taught full-stack web development at
DecodeMTL, Montreal’s first web development boot camp.
Derek Steer
CEO & Co-Founder at Mode
Derek will introduce you to the SQL language and how to use SQL queries to analyze data in
relational databases. Derek is the co-founder and CEO of Mode Analytics. He has worked as a data
analyst at various companies, including Microsoft, Yammer, and Facebook.
Introduction to SQL 5
Udacity’s learning
experience
Hands-on Projects Quizzes
Open-ended, experiential projects are designed Auto-graded quizzes strengthen comprehension.
to reflect actual workplace challenges. They aren’t Learners can return to lessons at any time during
just multiple choice questions or step-by-step the course to refresh concepts.
guides, but instead require critical thinking.
Knowledge Custom Study Plans
Find answers to your questions with Knowledge, Create a personalized study plan that fits your
our proprietary wiki. Search questions asked by individual needs. Utilize this plan to keep track of
other students, connect with technical mentors, movement toward your overall goal.
and discover how to solve the challenges that
you encounter.
Workspaces Progress Tracker
See your code in action. Check the output and Take advantage of milestone reminders to stay
quality of your code by running it on interactive on schedule and complete your program.
workspaces that are integrated into the platform.
Introduction to SQL 6
Our proven approach for building
job-ready digital skills.
Experienced Project Reviewers
Verify skills mastery.
• Personalized project feedback and critique includes line-by-line code review from
skilled practitioners with an average turnaround time of 1.1 hours.
• Project review cycle creates a feedback loop with multiple opportunities for
improvement—until the concept is mastered.
• Project reviewers leverage industry best practices and provide pro tips.
Technical Mentor Support
24/7 support unblocks learning.
• Learning accelerates as skilled mentors identify areas of achievement and potential
for growth.
• Unlimited access to mentors means help arrives when it’s needed most.
• 2 hr or less average question response time assures that skills development stays on track.
Mentor Network
Highly vetted for effectiveness.
• Mentors must complete a 5-step hiring process to join Udacity’s selective network.
• After passing an objective and situational assessment, mentors must demonstrate
communication and behavioral fit for a mentorship role.
• Mentors work across more than 30 different industries and often complete a Nanodegree
program themselves.
Introduction to SQL 7
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www.udacity.com/online-learning-for-individuals →
03.27.23 | V1.0
