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Beyond SQL: Building Real Understanding Through Data Modelling
Learn how to model, build, and query relational databases with confidence guided by Ivey faculty Derrick Neufeld.
Price
$690.00 CAD $640.00 CAD
Start anytime
10 hours 
Online Self-Paced Start anytime
Self-Paced
10 hours
$690.00 CAD
$640.00 CAD
SQL is everywhere, but knowing how to write a query is not the same as understanding how data works. In this self-paced course, Associate Professor Derrick Neufeld teaches you how to design and implement relational databases from the ground up, starting with conceptual data modelling.
Using real Ivey business cases like Starbucks DeepBrew and Mustang Music, you’ll learn how to translate business scenarios into data models, build normalized schemas using MySQL, and write queries that deliver meaningful insight. The course blends technical demos, hands-on exercises, and AI-guided feedback to help you build lasting data fluency.
If you’ve learned SQL but still feel unsure about how databases are structured, or if you want to move beyond syntax and into strategic data thinking, this course is designed for you.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Model real-world business scenarios using Barker notation
- Design and normalize relational database schemas that reflect business logic
- Build and test relational databases using MySQL and XAMPP
- Write accurate SQL queries to extract and interpret business insights
- Apply relational thinking to improve data literacy and problem-solving
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10 hours
This self-paced course includes approximately 10 hours of content, designed to be completed within a 90-day window. You’ll progress through interactive modules, complete knowledge checks, and receive instant feedback through our AI-first LMS.
Course Roadmap
Module 1: Data Quality and Context
Explore how data is structured, misused, and managed using the Starbucks DeepBrew case.
Module 2: Conceptual Modelling
Learn Barker notation to model entities and relationships, and apply it to the Mustang Music case.
Module 3: Database Implementation I
Set up XAMPP and build a relational schema with referential integrity.
Module 4: Database Implementation II
Complete the Mustang Music database through guided, stepwise exercises.
Module 5: SQL Querying
Write queries using JOINs, aggregates, and subqueries to extract and interpret business insights.
Dates & Fees
Start anytime
Duration: ~10 hours (self-paced)
Access: 90 days from enrollment
Tuition: $500 CAD
Certificate: Digital credential upon completion
No prerequisites required. Enroll anytime and learn at your own pace.
This course is designed for learners who want to move beyond SQL syntax and build a deeper understanding of how data is structured and used in business. It’s especially relevant for those who work with data but haven’t had formal training in database design or modelling.
Ideal participants include:
- Business analysts and early-career professionals looking to strengthen their data fluency
- Product managers and operations leads who rely on structured data for decision-making
- Consultants and advisors who need to interpret and model client data
- Lifelong learners and business students preparing for data-driven roles
- Professionals who have learned SQL but want to understand how relational databases actually work
Derrick Neufeld
Associate Professor, Information Systems & Digital Innovation
I’m an Associate Professor of Information Systems at the Ivey Business School. Previously I earned my living as a systems analyst and management consultant, and for several years I ran a consulting / data analytics firm that serviced large financial and manufacturing firms in Canada, the US, and Asia.
Courses
Start anytime. Complete at your own pace.
| Length | Learning Method | Tuition Fees |
|---|---|---|
| 10 hours | Online Self-Paced |
$690.00 CAD
$640.00 CAD |
Enrollment and Payment FAQs
Click “Enroll Now” on the course page and follow the prompts to complete your registration.
We accept major credit cards. You’ll be prompted to select your preferred method during checkout.
Yes. You can forward the payment link or invoice to your employer, or contact us for assistance with corporate enrollment.
- For Cohort programs - 30 Days Before Program Start
- Cancellation: You will receive a full refund of the program fee.
- Transfer to a Later Date: No fees apply.
- Less than 30 Days Before Program Start
- Cancellation: Incurs a 25% cancellation fee.
- Transfer to a Later Date: Incurs a 15% transfer fee.
- Compassionate exceptions: Fees may be waived on compassionate grounds, please contract (Operations email).
- Unredeemed transfers: If not used within 12 months, the full program fee is forfeited.
No, the purchaser and the person taking the course must match to ensure the digital credential is given to the correct person.
Yes, please contact (Operations email) and they will set up a group invoice.
Certification and Credentials
Yes. You’ll receive a digital certificate from Ivey Business School upon successful completion of the course.
Ivey’s certificates are widely respected and can be added to your LinkedIn profile or resume.
Upon completion, you’ll receive a secure digital credential directly to your email, that can be shared and verified online.
Self-Paced Course Structure and Experience
This is a self-paced, asynchronous course with interactive modules, quizzes, and AI-powered feedback.
You’ll have access for 90 days from the date of purchase.
Approximately 10 hours in total. You can complete it at your own pace over the course of 90 days.
There are no formal exams. You’ll complete quizzes and knowledge checks with unlimited attempts.
This course is self-directed and does not include instructor-led live sessions. You may interact with other students through online activities.
