SQL Problem Solving

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SQL Problem Solving

This course is part of Learn SQL Basics for Data Science Specialization

Instructor: Katrina Glaeser Poole

83,933 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

19 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

79%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

19 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

79%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Validate and clean a dataset
Assess and create datasets to answer your questions
Solve problems using SQL
Build a simple testing framework to touch on AB Testing

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

11 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Learn SQL Basics for Data Science Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

SQL for Problem Solving is designed for learners who already understand the basics of SQL and are ready to apply their skills to real-world data problems. In this hands-on course, you’ll move beyond textbook queries to tackle the challenges data analysts face every day. From diagnosing data quality issues to building rolling metrics and interpreting event data, this course gives you the toolkit to write powerful, efficient SQL queries across different dialects and complex datasets.

You’ll learn: - Problem-solving strategies used by data professionals - Techniques for debugging, improving data quality, and building complex queries - How to work with modern data environments, from event logs to denormalized schemas - How to communicate business-relevant insights through SQL-based analysis Whether you're preparing for a data job interview, building dashboards for stakeholders, or leveling up your data chops, this course empowers you with the skills to make SQL your go-to tool for data analysis and problem-solving.

After this module, you will be able to navigate the course environment and datasets, recall and apply key SQL concepts including joins, CTEs, and aggregation. You will be able to identify and resolve common SQL errors. You will also be able to apply structured approaches to SQL problem-solving and use diagnostic techniques to evaluate data quality. Finally, you'll be able to simplify queries using CTEs, subqueries, and pivot logic.

What's included

23 videos2 readings6 assignments

23 videos Total 88 minutes

Course Introduction 2 minutes
Prerequisites Introduction 1 minute
Set-Up 3 minutes
Various Set-Up Variations 5 minutes
Dataset Intro + Entity Diagram + Join Review 2 minutes
Review SQL Clauses & Functions 3 minutes
Solution: SQL Clauses & Functions - Part 1 5 minutes
Solution: SQL Clauses & Functions - Part 2 7 minutes
Review Joins, Subtables and CTES 4 minutes
Solution: Review Joins, Subtables and CTES - Part 1 7 minutes
Solution: Review Joins, Subtables and CTES - Part 2 5 minutes
Review by Troubleshooting Errors 4 minutes
Solution: Troubleshooting Errors 7 minutes
Spreadsheets vs. SQL 3 minutes
Introduction to SQL Problem Solving Techniques 1 minute
Quick Tricks to Check Data Quality 3 minutes
Coalesce to Improve Data Quality 6 minutes
Pivot and Roll-Up Data - Part 1 3 minutes
Pivot and Roll-Up Data - Part 2 4 minutes
Using a Backbone Table for Structure 4 minutes
Use CTEs and Subqueries to Reduce Complexity 2 minutes
Can You Do Loops in SQL? - Part 1 4 minutes
Can You Do Loops in SQL? - Part 2 5 minutes

2 readings Total 11 minutes

Course Navigation and Safety Statement 1 minute
Course Dataset 10 minutes

6 assignments Total 55 minutes

SQL Problem Solving Techniques Quiz 30 minutes
Review: Entity Diagrams 3 minutes
Review: Clauses and Functions 7 minutes
Review: Joins and Subtables 4 minutes
Review: Troubleshooting Errors 4 minutes
Review: Spreadsheets vs. SQL 7 minutes

After this module, you will be able to describe how data flows to analysts in modern stacks. You will be able to write SQL queries on event and JSON-based data. You will be able to evaluate the trustworthiness of different data sources.

What's included

15 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt

15 videos Total 64 minutes

Introduction to the Modern Data Environment 1 minute
Where Does the Data Come From Anyway? - Part 1 4 minutes
Where Does the Data Come From Anyway? - Part 2 6 minutes
Production Databases + SQL Dialects + History 6 minutes
Solution: Exploring the Events Table - Part 1 5 minutes
Solution: Exploring the Events Table - Part 2 2 minutes
All About Event Data - Part 1 5 minutes
All About Event Data - Part 2 5 minutes
Deep Dive - How to Use Field History Table 4 minutes
Solution: Evaluate AI Generated Code - Part 1 3 minutes
Solution: Evaluate AI Generated Code - Part 2 6 minutes
Data Pipelines - Part 1 3 minutes
Data Pipelines - Part 2 6 minutes
SQL Style Guide 7 minutes
Reminders Of Where To Be Skeptical 2 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

The Modern Data Environment Quiz 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 5 minutes

Events 5 minutes

After this module, you’ll be able to design SQL queries to support reporting, metrics, and goal tracking. You'll be able to analyze data for executive dashboards, funnels, and retention. Finally, you'll be able to translate business questions into SQL-based investigations.

What's included

22 videos2 assignments1 discussion prompt

22 videos Total 93 minutes

Introduction to Business Focused Case Studies 1 minute
Applications of SQL Data Analysis 6 minutes
Normalized vs. Denormalized Data 7 minutes
Denormalized Line Items Table - Part 1 4 minutes
Denormalized Line Items Table - Part 2 4 minutes
BONUS: Keyboard Shortcuts 2 minutes
What Makes a Good Executive Metric? 3 minutes
Defining Good Metrics 6 minutes
Item_View Metric 5 minutes
Reporting Basics - Part 1 7 minutes
Reporting Basics - Part 1 Example 5 minutes
Reporting Basics - Part 2 3 minutes
Reporting Basics - Part 3 4 minutes
Reporting Basics - Part 3 Example 1 minute
Funnels and How They Extend to Retention - Part 1 5 minutes
Funnels and How They Extend to Retention - Part 2 6 minutes
Deep Dive: Retention & LTV 4 minutes
Retention Example: Period Over Period (PoP) 3 minutes
AB Testing 3 minutes
Example of AB Testing 5 minutes
Going Beyond SQL 2 minutes
Exploratory Analysis & Case Studies 6 minutes

2 assignments Total 90 minutes

From Question to Insight — The SQL Problem-Solving Mindset 60 minutes
Business Focused Case Studies Quiz 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Normalized & Denormalized Data 10 minutes

After this final module, you will be able to tackle open-ended SQL challenges with limited guidance. You'll be able to construct queries to support forecasting and recommendation systems. You'll also be able to communicate insights through effective SQL design and visualization prep.

What's included

23 videos1 reading2 assignments

23 videos Total 82 minutes

Introduction to Data Science in the Wild 1 minute
Triage a Business Question 2 minutes
Scenario: Sloppy Question Clinic 3 minutes
Example: Descriptive Statistics for Design 2 minutes
Another Example: Which Segment is the Biggest? 2 minutes
Investigating a Drop 7 minutes
Mix Shift 2 minutes
Problem Solving: Getting Un-Stuck 3 minutes
Test As You Go 2 minutes
Collaborative Filtering Recommender 6 minutes
Item Recommender: Start Coding - Part 1 5 minutes
Item Recommender: Start Coding - Part 2 4 minutes
Data Preparation 3 minutes
Create Data to Feed a Forecast 6 minutes
Just For Fun: How to Forecast in Python 5 minutes
Define a Metric: Activation 1 minute
Funnel Skill - Part 1 5 minutes
Funnel Skill - Part 2 6 minutes
Funnel Skill - Part 3 5 minutes
Visualization Clinic 5 minutes
Remove Distractions 3 minutes
Interview Mindset and Tools 5 minutes
Course Summary 0 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Interview Question Bank 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 75 minutes

From Data to Decision: Analyzing Insights with SQL 45 minutes
Data Science in the Wild Quiz 30 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(306 ratings)

Katrina Glaeser Poole

University of California, Davis

1 Course 83,933 learners

Offered by

University of California, Davis

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Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.