Semester 1 · Core

Data Engineering & Databases for ML

Where training data comes from and how to keep it trustworthy: the relational model, relational algebra and SQL, integrity constraints and normal forms, storage and indexing, data warehousing, data transformation for ML, and reproducible pipelines with data versioning.

2 credits · 60 h · 8 chapters · 5 labs

Semester
1
Kind
Core
Credits
2
Hours
60
Chapters
8
Graded labs
5
Prerequisites
Recommended: Helpful background. You can start without it if you are willing to fill the gaps.

What you’ll be able to do

  1. LO1Model a domain with entity–relationship diagrams and translate it into a relational schema with keys and constraints.
  2. LO2Express queries in relational algebra, tuple calculus and SQL, including joins, aggregation and window functions.
  3. LO3Use functional dependencies and normal forms to design schemas without redundancy or anomalies.
  4. LO4Explain file organisation and indexing, and reason about the cost of queries.
  5. LO5Design warehouse schemas (star, snowflake) with concept hierarchies and measures for analysis.
  6. LO6Build reproducible, validated data pipelines and transformations that feed ML models.
A reproducible pipelineThree stages joined by arrows: a raw source, a cleaning step, and a versioned table.sourcecleantablev3same input, same output
Fig. 1A reproducible pipeline. Illustration.

Chapters

8 chapters · each section ends with a short check

  1. 01Modelling data with entities and relationships
  2. 02Relational algebra and tuple calculus
  3. 03SQL for analysis
  4. 04Integrity constraints and normal forms
  5. 05Storage, file organisation and indexing
  6. 06Data warehousing and OLAP
  7. 07Transforming data for ML
  8. 08Reproducible pipelines and data versioning

Graded labs

  1. L1

    From ER diagram to a working schema

    After chapter 1 · about 5 hours · College course registration · Authored for this course, CC0 · Runs on a CPU

  2. L2

    Answering questions with SQL

    After chapter 3 · about 5 hours · Synthetic online shop · Authored for this course, CC0 · Runs on a CPU

  3. L3

    Normal forms from scratch

    After chapter 4 · about 5 hours · Authored relation schemas and functional dependencies · Authored for this course, CC0 · Runs on a CPU

  4. L4

    Indexes and query plans

    After chapter 5 · about 5 hours · Synthetic UPI transactions · Authored for this course, CC0 · Runs on a CPU

  5. L5

    A mini warehouse and ML pipeline

    After chapter 8 · about 5 hours · Synthetic UPI transactions and merchant master · Authored for this course, CC0 · Runs on a CPU

Before you start

Recommended

Helpful background. You can start without it if you are willing to fill the gaps.

Where it leads

Semester 4 · Capstone

Capstone Project

8 credits · 240 h · 5 milestones · solo

How it’s taught

You read short sections written for the page. Each ends with a check, and in-browser exercises let you practise. Graded labs run on your own cloud lab machine, CPU-friendly.

No videos. No live classes. No AI tutor.

How it works

Data Engineering & Databases for ML, in Semester 1

Enrolment isn't open yet. Pricing will be announced before it opens.

We use your email only to tell you about Epoch School's launch. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy