CKCS 850 - Querying Relational Databases Using MySQL
Course Description
If you want a career in the world of data, being able to use Structured Query Language (SQL) to query a relational database is one of the most in-demand competencies to succeed in this field.
In a 2021 Dataquest analysis of 32,000 data-related jobs on the Indeed job portal, SQL appeared as a listed skill in almost 43 percent of job postings. For data analyst jobs specifically, the percentage was higher at 57 percent. In fact, SQL appears in 1.7 times as many ‘data analyst’ job postings as Python, and nearly 2.5 times as many job postings as R.*
This microcredential provides the opportunity to assess your ability to use MySQL to query a relational database, and if successful, receive formal recognition for your ability with a Toronto Metropolitan University digital credential. You will be evaluated by an expert assessor to confirm you can do the following:
- Design and execute a MySQL query
- Comment and justify use of selected keywords and clauses
- Display proper order of execution
This microcredential is assessment-only and there is no preparatory content, learning time or facilitated instruction involved. You will complete an assessment that will be evaluated by an expert assessor to determine if you have demonstrated mastery in this skill area. There will be technical set-up instructions and supporting materials available to help you prepare for the assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I ready? Microcredential Self-Screening
You should have foundational knowledge and skills using MySQL to perform queries in relational databases before enrolling. If you can answer ‘yes’ to all of the following questions, then you may be ready to enroll:
- Are you familiar with these key terms: relational database, MySQL, and logical expressions?
- Do you have experience analyzing relational databases (i.e. have you worked as a data analyst, database designer, etc.)?
- Do you understand the execution order of a MySQL query block?
- Do you feel confident identifying required entities and attributes in a query?
- Have you integrated a conditional or logical expression into a MySQL query before?
- Have you reliably demonstrated the capacity to design a MySQL query and retrieve a correct output using an existing relational database?
- Have you been able to design one query as part of another or summarize certain information using aggregate functions?
What do I need to do for the assessment?
For the assessment, you will be given the logical model of an existing database and five questions about this database. You will be asked to write the answer to each question as a MySQL query statement.
Your responses will be assessed in three areas (implementation, quality, and understanding) using a star rating system. In order to achieve mastery and receive a credential, you must receive a minimum number of stars in each area. Upon enrolling for the microcredential, you will have access to a detailed rubric that outlines what the assessors will look for when awarding a “star”.
What are the technological requirements for the assessment?
You will need:
- A stable Internet connection (no minimum connection speed required)
- A computer with an Internet browser (e.g. Edge, Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc.)
- A mobile phone* capable of receiving an SMS text message
* Why do I need a mobile phone? You will be using the Azure Virtual Desktop, MySQL, and MySQL IDE (Microsoft MySQL Workbench) to complete the assessment. Upon enrolling in the microcredential, you will have access to set-up instructions.
To sign in to both the Azure Virtual Desktop environment and my.torontomu.ca portal, you will need a mobile device for two-factor authentication.
How much time do I have to complete the assessment after enrolling?
You will have one week to gain access to the microcredential environment (D2L Brightspace) and explore the instructions and expectations for the assessment. This preparatory content is self-paced and can take approximately one to two hours to complete.
Tuesday, February 7, 2023 will be your assessment day. Once you have access to the microcredential environment (D2L Brightspace), you will choose a 4 hour time slot on that day that works best for you to complete the assessment.
What are my support options?
Upon enrolling, you will have access to supporting resources that will help you access the required software for the assessment. Personal support will be available by email and phone during this period, if you have any questions or experience any technical issues with setting up for the assessment. Live drop-in sessions will also be available.
What happens once I complete the assessment?
Once you complete the assessment, you will receive personalized feedback and a mastery score from the expert assessor.
The successful completion of the assessment will result in a shareable Toronto Metropolitan University digital credential. This credential can be shared on your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or anywhere you want to display your achievements.
If you are not able to demonstrate mastery, you can re-enroll and try again when the next offering of this microcredential is available. Be sure to review your personalized feedback and ensure that you have filled any gaps in knowledge or skill before a second attempt. The Chang School course, CIND 110 - Data Organization For Data Analysts, covers MySQL skill development and may be of interest.