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

86,321 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

25 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.

25 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 videosTotal 88 minutes

Course Introduction2 minutes
Prerequisites Introduction1 minute
Set-Up3 minutes
Various Set-Up Variations5 minutes
Dataset Intro + Entity Diagram + Join Review2 minutes
Review SQL Clauses & Functions3 minutes
Solution: SQL Clauses & Functions - Part 15 minutes
Solution: SQL Clauses & Functions - Part 27 minutes
Review Joins, Subtables and CTES4 minutes
Solution: Review Joins, Subtables and CTES - Part 17 minutes
Solution: Review Joins, Subtables and CTES - Part 25 minutes
Review by Troubleshooting Errors4 minutes
Solution: Troubleshooting Errors7 minutes
Spreadsheets vs. SQL3 minutes
Introduction to SQL Problem Solving Techniques1 minute
Quick Tricks to Check Data Quality3 minutes
Coalesce to Improve Data Quality6 minutes
Pivot and Roll-Up Data - Part 13 minutes
Pivot and Roll-Up Data - Part 24 minutes
Using a Backbone Table for Structure4 minutes
Use CTEs and Subqueries to Reduce Complexity2 minutes
Can You Do Loops in SQL? - Part 14 minutes
Can You Do Loops in SQL? - Part 25 minutes

2 readingsTotal 11 minutes

Course Navigation and Safety Statement1 minute
Course Dataset10 minutes

6 assignmentsTotal 55 minutes

Review: Entity Diagrams3 minutes
Review: Clauses and Functions7 minutes
Review: Joins and Subtables4 minutes
Review: Troubleshooting Errors4 minutes
Review: Spreadsheets vs. SQL7 minutes
SQL Problem Solving Techniques Quiz30 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 videosTotal 64 minutes

Introduction to the Modern Data Environment1 minute
Where Does the Data Come From Anyway? - Part 14 minutes
Where Does the Data Come From Anyway? - Part 26 minutes
Production Databases + SQL Dialects + History6 minutes
Solution: Exploring the Events Table - Part 15 minutes
Solution: Exploring the Events Table - Part 22 minutes
All About Event Data - Part 15 minutes
All About Event Data - Part 25 minutes
Deep Dive - How to Use Field History Table4 minutes
Solution: Evaluate AI Generated Code - Part 13 minutes
Solution: Evaluate AI Generated Code - Part 26 minutes
Data Pipelines - Part 13 minutes
Data Pipelines - Part 26 minutes
SQL Style Guide7 minutes
Reminders Of Where To Be Skeptical2 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

The Modern Data Environment Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 5 minutes

Events5 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 videosTotal 93 minutes

Introduction to Business Focused Case Studies1 minute
Applications of SQL Data Analysis6 minutes
Normalized vs. Denormalized Data7 minutes
Denormalized Line Items Table - Part 14 minutes
Denormalized Line Items Table - Part 24 minutes
BONUS: Keyboard Shortcuts2 minutes
What Makes a Good Executive Metric?3 minutes
Defining Good Metrics6 minutes
Item_View Metric5 minutes
Reporting Basics - Part 17 minutes
Reporting Basics - Part 1 Example5 minutes
Reporting Basics - Part 23 minutes
Reporting Basics - Part 34 minutes
Reporting Basics - Part 3 Example1 minute
Funnels and How They Extend to Retention - Part 15 minutes
Funnels and How They Extend to Retention - Part 26 minutes
Deep Dive: Retention & LTV4 minutes
Retention Example: Period Over Period (PoP)3 minutes
AB Testing3 minutes
Example of AB Testing5 minutes
Going Beyond SQL2 minutes
Exploratory Analysis & Case Studies6 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Business Focused Case Studies Quiz30 minutes
From Question to Insight — The SQL Problem-Solving Mindset60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Normalized & Denormalized Data10 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 videosTotal 82 minutes

Introduction to Data Science in the Wild1 minute
Triage a Business Question2 minutes
Scenario: Sloppy Question Clinic3 minutes
Example: Descriptive Statistics for Design2 minutes
Another Example: Which Segment is the Biggest?2 minutes
Investigating a Drop7 minutes
Mix Shift2 minutes
Problem Solving: Getting Un-Stuck3 minutes
Test As You Go2 minutes
Collaborative Filtering Recommender6 minutes
Item Recommender: Start Coding - Part 15 minutes
Item Recommender: Start Coding - Part 24 minutes
Data Preparation3 minutes
Create Data to Feed a Forecast6 minutes
Just For Fun: How to Forecast in Python5 minutes
Define a Metric: Activation1 minute
Funnel Skill - Part 15 minutes
Funnel Skill - Part 26 minutes
Funnel Skill - Part 35 minutes
Visualization Clinic5 minutes
Remove Distractions3 minutes
Interview Mindset and Tools5 minutes
Course Summary0 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Interview Question Bank10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 75 minutes

Data Science in the Wild Quiz30 minutes
From Data to Decision: Analyzing Insights with SQL45 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(308 ratings)

Katrina Glaeser Poole

University of California, Davis

1 Course86,321 learners

Offered by

University of California, Davis

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