(07-03-2021, 07:30 PM)AwardTour Wrote:(07-02-2021, 10:24 PM)mcjon77 Wrote:(07-02-2021, 09:14 PM)nnahh Wrote: I’ll wait until finished with the SQL class to give a review. My first impressions aren’t good, but we will see….
Anyone have any tips for the SQL class/ projects ?
I just finished the SQL class last weekend (Summer 1). I have been working as a data analyst for a while now and had pretty solid SQL. I also took two previous graduate level courses in Databases/SQL.
The module 2 (database design) is SUPER DRY and theoretical (lot of talk about relations and sets, with less real world talk), more so than necessary. However he gives the notes that he reads from. Honestly, I stopped listening to the lectures and just focused on the key points in the notes (it was nothing I hadn't seen before). I wound up with a 93% on the module 2 exam and a 100% on the module 2 assignment (ER diagram and Schema Diagram). Also, when completing your diagrams, the ER diagrams are best done in Lucidcharts. However, I found that the schema diagram was much easier to build using a website called drawsql.com . As long as your schema is 15 tables or less, it is free.
I took the SQL class at the same time that I took his Fundamentals of Machine Learning class. The machine learning class was much much better. He did an excellent job presenting that information. My biggest fear was that it was going to be a survey course, and while we would learn ABOUT machine learning models, we wouldn't learn how to DO a machine learning project. Thankfully, that was not the case.
We started off learning how to clean data and dig more into pandas (his coverage of pandas, using real data sets, was much better than the coverage in the first course). Then we actually start applying models to data sets. In fact, I am using the format I learned from the class to build a multiple linear regression model for work. This was easily my favorite class of the program. I am actually going through the second half of it again, because I kind of rushed through it, and I want to get everything nailed down for future data scientist interviews that I might have in a few months.
So, if you find the lectures boring in the SQL class, focus on the notes, and walking through the code. Also, don't be like me and get too cocky about knowing SQL and databases in general. I wound up getting a B+ instead of an A because I procrastinated on the final project. The A was completely doable. I just screwed up.
Great insights, thanks for sharing mcjon77. I'm actually reviewing SQL and Python before I enroll at Eastern University. I'm reviewing a one or two books in a series of books called "Beginning SQL: Joes 2 Pros". This is just a personal favorite and not a recommendation to anyone. I actually took a 300 level Database course with Study.com, but I forgot almost everything.
(07-02-2021, 10:42 PM)nnahh Wrote:(07-02-2021, 10:24 PM)mcjon77 Wrote:Thank you!!!!! I had originally wrote a post about how horrible the class was, but deleted because it felt mean afterwards. I have no SQL experience so I’m definitely gonna have to try getting a better understanding elsewhere. I soooo appreciate all of the help with the project resources. I’m not looking forward to any of this lol.(07-02-2021, 09:14 PM)nnahh Wrote: I’ll wait until finished with the SQL class to give a review. My first impressions aren’t good, but we will see….
Anyone have any tips for the SQL class/ projects ?
I just finished the SQL class last weekend (Summer 1). I have been working as a data analyst for a while now and had pretty solid SQL. I also took two previous graduate level courses in Databases/SQL.
The module 2 (database design) is SUPER DRY and theoretical (lot of talk about relations and sets, with less real world talk), more so than necessary. However he gives the notes that he reads from. Honestly, I stopped listening to the lectures and just focused on the key points in the notes (it was nothing I hadn't seen before). I wound up with a 93% on the module 2 exam and a 100% on the module 2 assignment (ER diagram and Schema Diagram). Also, when completing your diagrams, the ER diagrams are best done in Lucidcharts. However, I found that the schema diagram was much easier to build using a website called drawsql.com . As long as your schema is 15 tables or less, it is free.
I took the SQL class at the same time that I took his Fundamentals of Machine Learning class. The machine learning class was much much better. He did an excellent job presenting that information. My biggest fear was that it was going to be a survey course, and while we would learn ABOUT machine learning models, we wouldn't learn how to DO a machine learning project. Thankfully, that was not the case.
We started off learning how to clean data and dig more into pandas (his coverage of pandas, using real data sets, was much better than the coverage in the first course). Then we actually start applying models to data sets. In fact, I am using the format I learned from the class to build a multiple linear regression model for work. This was easily my favorite class of the program. I am actually going through the second half of it again, because I kind of rushed through it, and I want to get everything nailed down for future data scientist interviews that I might have in a few months.
So, if you find the lectures boring in the SQL class, focus on the notes, and walking through the code. Also, don't be like me and get too cocky about knowing SQL and databases in general. I wound up getting a B+ instead of an A because I procrastinated on the final project. The A was completely doable. I just screwed up.
I’m happy to know the next course is better.
nnahh, feel free to share your opinions as you go along. It does sound like the presentation in their SQL course is lacking. If you use outside resources, as others have suggested, then it might be possible to close the gap in your knowledge. This is through no fault of your own. If they assume no prior SQL knowledge then their material should assume you are starting from zero as well. That is a strike against them. Hopefully, aside from this, things have been going well.
I'm not enrolled yet. I will give my own feedback here once I begin. So far, their admissions and financial aid department have impressed me both in-terms of customer service attitude and response times. It's a good first impression for me personally. I know that is not always an indicator of things to come. But, it's a good way to start!
I barely got through this course with the minimum score needed. I did not learn a single thing either.
This course was presented so poorly with so many detailed exams to get through. I did not have the time to learn SQL on my own and complete the course, so I’m just happy it’s over. I saw this professor teaches another course. I wish we had more options. I’m not looking forward to it.
For now, I’m just happy to have Professor Longo again. He actually takes the time to talk and lecture in his video, not just read from a dry script.
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