Database Design Fundamentals for Software Engineers Course Syllabus

Overview: This course provides a hands-on introduction to database design fundamentals, guiding software engineers through core concepts of data modeling, relational schema design, and basic SQL operations. With approximately 7 hours of interactive learning, you'll build a solid foundation in database principles, from ER modeling to normalization and schema integrity. Each module combines concise theory with practical exercises, culminating in a capstone project that reinforces real-world design skills.

Module 1: Introduction to Databases

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Definition of databases and their role in software systems
• Limitations of file-based data storage
• Core properties of databases: consistency, durability, and atomicity
• Interactive exploration of dataset organization using console tools

Module 2: Entity-Relationship Modeling

Estimated time: 1.5 hours

• Entity types, attributes, and key identifiers
• Relationships and cardinality constraints
• Weak entities and participation roles
• Designing and interpreting ER diagrams

Module 3: Relational Data Model & Schema Design

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Translating ER models into relational schemas
• Selecting primary and foreign keys
• Applying consistent naming conventions
• Implementing constraints in relational tables

Module 4: Normalization Techniques

Estimated time: 1.5 hours

• Understanding functional dependencies
• First Normal Form (1NF) and atomic values
• Second Normal Form (2NF) and partial dependency elimination
• Third Normal Form (3NF) and removal of transitive dependencies

Module 5: Basic SQL Operations

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Creating tables with CREATE TABLE
• Performing INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE operations
• Executing simple SELECT queries for data retrieval

Module 6: Design Best Practices & Integrity

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Enforcing referential integrity
• Using constraints to maintain data accuracy
• Evaluating design trade-offs in schema decisions

Module 7: Case Study & Quiz

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• Designing an end-to-end database for a mini-project
• Applying ER modeling, normalization, and SQL implementation
• Completing a comprehensive assessment quiz

Prerequisites

• Familiarity with basic programming concepts
• Understanding of fundamental data structures
• No prior database experience required

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Model real-world systems using ER diagrams
• Design normalized relational schemas to reduce redundancy
• Translate conceptual models into functional database tables
• Write and execute basic SQL commands for data manipulation
• Apply constraints and integrity rules to ensure data consistency