Introduction to Database Development

A new section of each course starts monthly. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.

All courses run for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You do not have to be present when lessons are released. You will have access to all lessons until the course ends. However, the interactive discussion area that accompanies each lesson will automatically close two weeks after the lesson is released. As such, we strongly recommend that you complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.

The final exam will be released on the same day as the last lesson. Once the final exam has been released, you will have two weeks to complete all of your course work, including the final exam.

Lesson 1

Databases and Why They're Necessary

Who can benefit from a database? Anyone who needs to store data and later retrieve meaning from that data. In this lesson, you'll see where databases came from, explore the major types, and see how the various parts fit together.

Developing a Database System

This lesson will define and describe the major components of a database system. You'll learn about the System Development Life Cycle, which practically guarantees the success of any database system you produce.

Building a Database Model

In this lesson, you will learn how important the non-technical portions of a development project are. You'll see why it's not enough to build a system that meets design goals--it also needs to satisfy the people who will use it. You'll learn how to build an Entity-Relationship model that is based on a consensus of what all the stakeholders need.

Practical Considerations

This lesson will teach you how to find out what the client organization really needs from the development project--it may be very different from what they originally asked for! You'll review the pros and cons of upgrading an existing system versus building a new one from scratch

The Relational Model

Relational databases are by far the most commonly used database type. They're the most likely type of database that you will find yourself designing and using. In this lesson, you'll learn the relational model: how to create relational databases that have the right combination of performance and reliability to meet your needs.

Using the E-R Model to Design a Database

This lesson is the pivot point of the course; you'll learn how to translate the Entity-Relationship model into a relational model that you can implement directly as a database. A model that accurately describes the system you are modeling is your best guarantee that the system you deliver will perform as you need it to.

Implementing a Database Design with Access

In this lesson, you'll move to the hands-on portion of the course. You will take what you have learned so far to build an actual database, using the popular Microsoft Access database management system. The database will track important information for a fictitious nonprofit organization.

Implementing a Database Design with SQL

In this lesson, you will learn how to build a database with the SQL language--a language that is supported by all relational database management systems. You'll also learn how to protect it from accidental or intentional harm.

Building a Database Application Using Access

Databases store data. That's important, but it's not worth much if you can't pick and choose the information you want to retrieve from the database. In this lesson, you will learn how to create a database application that will give users a turnkey tool for retrieving exactly the information they want with a minimum of hassle.

Database Security and Integrity

It's more important than ever to ensure that your company's organizational data does not fall into the wrong hands. This lesson teaches you how to control who accesses your data. It will also cover how to protect your data if your hardware fails or if some other unexpected disaster occurs.

Building a More Sophisticated Database Application

This lesson takes you to the next level—creating sophisticated database applications by combining code written with procedural languages such as Visual Basic, or C with SQL statements. It will go on to discuss how to make databases and database applications available on an organization's network and on the web.

Database Development Essentials

This lesson emphasizes the critically important (but often overlooked) human aspect of a database development project. Your client may not have a clear idea of what they want at the outset of your database project. That means your communication and interpersonal skills are going to be just as important as your technical expertise. After you complete this final piece of the database puzzle, you'll be ready to create database systems that truly meet the needs of your client organization.