Description
Program Duration: 12-16 Weeks (Part-Time)
Format: Online or In-Person
Total Hours: 120-140 Contact Hours
Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this certificate, students will be able to:
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Design robust and normalized relational databases using Entity-Relationship Diagrams (ERDs).
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Write complex SQL queries to retrieve, manipulate, and analyze data efficiently.
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Implement and manage databases using popular RDBMS like MySQL or PostgreSQL.
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Understand and ensure data integrity through constraints, transactions, and locking.
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Perform essential database administration tasks, including user management and backups.
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Grasp the fundamentals of database security, performance tuning, and NoSQL concepts.
Target Audience:
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Aspiring IT professionals looking to start a career in data.
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Software developers who need to improve their database skills.
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Business analysts, financial analysts, or marketers who work with large datasets.
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Career changers seeking a high-demand, technical skill set.
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Students and recent graduates wanting to enhance their employability.
Prerequisites:
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Basic computer literacy and familiarity with operating systems (Windows or macOS).
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No prior database or programming experience is required, but logical thinking and problem-solving skills are beneficial.
Course Curriculum & Modules
Module 1: Introduction to Databases and SQL Fundamentals
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Topics: What is a Database? Overview of DBMS and RDBMS. Understanding Tables, Rows, and Columns. Introduction to SQL. Basic
SELECTstatements. Filtering and sorting data (WHERE,ORDER BY). Using built-in functions. -
Practical Lab: Setting up a database environment. Writing basic queries to extract information from a sample database.
Module 2: Database Design and Normalization
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Topics: Data Modeling Concepts. Entity-Relationship (ER) Modeling and Diagrams. Mapping ERDs to Tables. Understanding Normal Forms (1NF, 2NF, 3NF) to eliminate data redundancy and ensure data integrity.
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Practical Lab: Designing a database schema for a real-world scenario (e.g., library system, e-commerce store) and creating the tables.
Module 3: Advanced SQL Querying
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Topics: Querying Multiple Tables using
JOIN(INNER, LEFT, RIGHT, FULL). Using Set Operations (UNION,INTERSECT). Grouping and Aggregating Data (GROUP BY,HAVING). Writing subqueries and correlated subqueries. -
Practical Lab: Solving complex business problems by writing multi-table join queries and analytical aggregate queries.
Module 4: Data Manipulation and Transaction Control
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Topics: Adding, modifying, and removing data (
INSERT,UPDATE,DELETE). Understanding Transactions (COMMIT,ROLLBACK,SAVEPOINT). ACID properties (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability). Introduction to Stored Procedures and Functions. -
Practical Lab: Writing scripts to populate and modify data. Creating a simple stored procedure.
Module 5: Database Administration Essentials
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Topics: Introduction to Database Administration (DBA) roles. Creating Users and Managing Permissions (GRANT, REVOKE). Implementing database backups and recovery strategies. Monitoring database performance. Introduction to indexing for query optimization.
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Practical Lab: Creating user accounts with specific privileges. Performing a full backup and restore.
Module 6: Beyond Relational Databases & Capstone Project
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Topics: Introduction to NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Redis). Understanding different types: Document, Key-Value, Column-Family, Graph. Overview of cloud databases (e.g., Amazon RDS, Google Cloud SQL). Trends in Big Data.
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Capstone Project: Students will design, build, and query a complete database for a defined project from scratch. This project will be presented as a key portfolio piece.
Software & Tools Used:
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RDBMS: MySQL, PostgreSQL (Open-source, industry-standard)
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Interface: MySQL Workbench, pgAdmin, or DBeaver
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Diagramming: Draw.io, Lucidchart, or ERDPlus
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Version Control: Basic GitHub for storing scripts (optional)
Assessment & Certification:
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Grading: Based on weekly lab assignments (40%), module quizzes (20%), a mid-term project (15%), and a final capstone project (25%).
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Certificate Awarded: A Certificate in Database Management will be awarded to students who maintain a passing grade (e.g., 70% or higher).
Career Pathways & Next Steps:
Graduates of this program will be prepared for roles such as:
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Junior Database Administrator (DBA)
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SQL Developer
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Data Analyst
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Business Intelligence Analyst
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Report Developer
Recommended Next Steps: Pursue industry certifications like:
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MySQL: Oracle MySQL Database Developer or DBA Certifications
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Microsoft: Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate
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General Knowledge: ICCP Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) Associate Level
Why Choose This Program?
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Hands-On Learning: Theory is immediately applied in practical, real-world labs.
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Industry-Relevant Curriculum: Content is designed based on current job market demands.
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Expert Instruction: Learn from instructors with professional experience in the field.
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Portfolio Development: Graduate with a capstone project to showcase to employers.




