INDIVIDUAL LEARNERS

S C H O O L O F D ATA S C I E N C E

SQL
Nanodegree Program Syllabus
Overview
Perform analysis on data stored in relational and non-relational database systems to power strategic decision-making. Learn to
determine, create, and execute SQL and NoSQL queries that manipulate and dissect large scale datasets. Begin by leveraging the
power of SQL commands, functions, and data cleaning methodologies to join, aggregate, and clean tables, as well as complete
performance tune analysis to provide strategic business recommendations. Finally, apply relational database management
techniques to normalize data schemas in order to build the supporting data structures for a social news aggregator.

Program information

Estimated Time Skill Level

2 months at 10hrs/week* Beginner

Prerequisites

A well-prepared learner should have basic computer skills and understanding of and ability to write SQL and NoSQL languages,
plus:

• Familiarity with Operating systems (Windows and MacOS)

• Familiarity and comfort using word processing programs (Microsoft Word, Google Docs, PDF)

• Comfort using presentation software (PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides)

• Comfort using Spreadsheet programs (Microsoft. Excel, Google Spreadsheets)

Required Hardware/Software

Learners need access to the internet and a 64-bit computer. They will use SQL, NoSQL, Postgres, SQL DDL, and SQL DML.

*The length of this program is an estimation of total hours the average student may take to complete all required
coursework, including lecture and project time. If you spend about 5-10 hours per week working through the program, you
should finish within the time provided. Actual hours may vary.

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 Course 1

Introduction to SQL
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 access, aggregate and join data and data tables. Understand when
and how to use subqueries, several window functions, as well as partitions to complete complex tasks. Clean data, optimize
SQL queries, and write select advanced JOINs to enhance analysis performance. Explain which cases one would want to use
particular SQL commands, and apply the results from queries to address business problems.

Course Project

Deforestation Exploration
SQL is most commonly used to manipulate and analyze data to inform decision making. In this project,
learners will act as a data analyst for an organization on a mission to reduce deforestation around the world
and to raise awareness about this important environmental topic. First, learners will 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, learners 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 have been 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 to a leadership team.

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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.

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, LEAD new functions
along with partitions to complete complex tasks.

• Learn how and when to use advanced joins (e.g., self joins) to write queries that
Lesson 7
run quickly across giant datasets.
SQL Advanced JOINs & • Learn the high-level tradeoffs with queries, including performance and what
Performance Tuning one can do to optimize them.

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 Course 2

Management of Relational & Non-Relational

Databases
Databases need to be structured properly to enable efficient and effective querying and analysis of data. Build normalized,
consistent, and performant relational data models. Use SQL Database Definition Language (DDL) to create the data schemas
designed in Postgres and apply SQL Database Manipulation Language (DML) to migrate data from a denormalized schema
to a normalized one. Understand the tradeoffs between relational databases and their non-relational counterparts, and
justify which one is best for different scenarios. With a radical shift of paradigms, learn about MongoDB and Redis to get an
understanding of the differences in behaviors and requirements for non-relational databases.

Course Project

Uddidit, A Social News Aggregator

Many of today’s most popular web applications have supporting database structures that allow them to
customize and aggregate information within seconds. In this project, learners will build the supporting
data structures for Uddidit, a social media news aggregator site. First, learners will investigate the provided
data model for potential errors such as lack of normalization, consistency rules, and proper indexing.
Then, learners will create a new, normalized database using DDL based on the denormalized one that is
provided. Lastly, learners will write DML queries to migrate the data from the denormalized schema to their
normalized schema.

Lesson 1 • Organize data in a format suitable for relational databases.

Normalizing Data • Get a grasp on database normal forms.

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Lesson 2
• Write common SQL commands with CREATE TABLE and ALTER TABLE.
Data Definition Language • Use different data types to model real-world situations.
(DDL)

Lesson 3
• Write common SQL commands with INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE.
Data Manipulation Language • Use SQL functions to manipulate numbers, strings, and dates.
(DML)

• Implement business rules at the database level using SQL commands with
Lesson 4 CONSTRAINT, UNIQUE, PRIMARY KEY, and CHECK.

Consistency with Constraints • Formalize the relations between tables using SQL FOREIGN KEY and its
variations.

• Fix some slow SQL queries by introducing database indexes with the SQL
command CREATE INDEX.
Lesson 5
• Introspect SQL queries through the query planner with EXPLAIN and EXPLAIN
Performance with Indexes ANALYZE.

• Assess whether a use case is a good candidate for indexing.

• Articulate why non-relational databases were created, and what are their
tradeoffs compared to relational databases.

Lesson 6 • Add, modify, and query data in a MongoDB database.

• Use the right MongoDB design patterns for various real-life situations.
Intro to Non-Relational
Databases • Add, modify, and query data in a Redis database.

• Use Redis as a standalone database to build the data part of a small

application.

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Meet your instructors.

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 bootcamp. In addition to developing software, Ziad
also enjoys workng with his clients on their product development.

Malavica Sridhar
Product Manager at Waymo

Mal Sridhar is currently a product manager at Waymo where she works on the scalability team
to think through the data and ML needs as the organization scales. Prior to her current role, she
was a senior product manager at CircleUp, an investment platform that leverages data and ML
to invest and lend to early-stage consumer packaged goods companies. Mal started her career
as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company and is passionate about leveraging data to
transform industries.

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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.

SQL 8
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.

Personal Career Services

Empower job-readiness.
• Access to a Github portfolio review that can give you an edge by highlighting your
strengths, and demonstrating your value to employers.*

• Get help optimizing your LinkedIn and establishing your personal brand so your profile
ranks higher in searches by recruiters and hiring managers.

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.

*Applies to select Nanodegree programs only.

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Learn more at
www.udacity.com/online-learning-for-individuals →

12.16.22 | V1.0