Relational Database Design Bootcamp

Name: Relational Database Design Bootcamp
Rating: 4.7 (101 reviews)

Project-based Approach to Mastering Database Design. Conceptual Modeling, Database Relationships, Normalization and More

Bestseller

Created byJon Avis

Last updated 8/2026

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Design a relational database from scratch.
Understand and implement database relationships.
Learn what database normalization is and why we need it for good database design.
Master more advanced database concepts such as indexes and views.
Data modeling for structured data.
Understand how to improve data integrity and data reliability.

Course content

8 sections • 49 lectures • 3h 27m total length

Welcome to the Course2:52
Course Overview2:52

Introduction to Database Design0:44
This video gives a brief description of the topics that will be covered in this Introduction to Database Design section of the bootcamp.
Relational Databases Explained4:18
In this video we will take a look at what a database is. We will go through the different types of databases such as flat file databases and NoSQL databases. We will go through an explanation of relational databases and take a look at some example tables within a relational database.
Table Structure in Relational Databases4:12
In this video we will look at database table structure in more detail.
Database Design Objectives3:36
In this video we will go through the objectives of database design. Why good database design is important and what to avoid.
Steps to Database Design4:32
This video goes through the steps to database design from the user cases and business needs to conceptual modelling and logical design all the way through to testing, implementing and documenting the database.
Conceptual Data Modelling4:16
In this video we will go through conceptual models. The different elements that make up conceptual models such as entities, attributes, relationships and cardinality.
Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERD)2:38
This video goes through an explanation of entity-relationship diagrams (ERD) as well as an example of an ERD.

Database Relationships Introduction0:56
An introduction to the database relationships section of the course where we will set out the goals of this section of the course.
Database Relationships Explained6:56
In this video we will go through what database relationships are and how they are implemented. We will then go through the different types of relationships in relational databases. We will also cover the concept of cardinality.
Primary Keys4:19
In this video we will go through the definition of primary keys in relational databases. We will go through some examples of single column primary keys, combination column primary keys (composite keys) and also dedicated primary key columns.
Foreign Keys3:58
In this video we will go over foreign keys. We will learn what foreign keys are and how they are used to create relationships between tables in relational databases.
One to One Relationships8:24
This video goes through an explanation of one to one relationships within relational databases and works through several examples of one to one relationships.
One to Many Relationships6:03
This video goes through an explanation of one to many relationships within relational databases and works through several examples of one to many relationships.
Many to Many Relationships8:54
This video goes through an explanation of many to many relationships within relational databases and works through several examples of one to one relationships. This video also explains how many to many relationships are implemented using junction tables.
Self Referencing Relationships4:25
This video goes through an explanation of self referencing relationships within relational databases and works through several examples of self referencing relationships.
Mini Project: Database Relationships2:18
In this video we outline the goal of the mini project on database relationships to test your knowledge on the database relationships section of the course.
Mini Project: Modeling the Core Data9:54
This is a solution video to modeling the core data needed for the Dotify relational database.
Mini Project: Modeling Playlist Functionality3:09
This is a solution video to modeling playlist functionality for the Dotify relational database.
Mini Project: Modeling Library Functionality5:12
This is a solution video to modeling library functionality for the Dotify relational database. Attached is an image of my completed solution to the database relationships mini project.

Introduction to Keys, Constraints, Data Types, Views and Indexes1:03
Common Data Types7:06
Explore common relational database data types, including integer, serial, numeric, char, varchar, text, date, time, and datetime, with examples like age, name, salary, primary keys, and foreign keys.
Keys6:10
Data Types and Keys Quiz
Constraints5:21
More Data Types2:52
Constraints and Data Types Quiz
Database Views3:58
Explore database views as virtual tables driven by SQL queries, storing dynamic results without physical data. Assess benefits like access control and abstraction, and note performance trade-offs and non updatability.
Database Indexes4:00
Understand how database indexes speed retrieval by indexing key columns, including single column, composite, unique, and primary key indexes. Identify when to use them for filtering and joins and trade-offs.
Views and Indexes Quiz

Database Normalization Introduction0:39
Explore database normalization to understand its purpose and benefits. Learn the first through third normal forms and higher normal forms, and complete a normalization mini project in relational databases.
Database Normalization Explained3:20
First Normal Form4:38
This video goes through the rules and definition of 1st normal form. There is then an example of taking a table which is not in 1st normal form and modifying it so that it follows 1st normal form rules.
Second Normal Form3:57
This video goes through the rules and definition of 2nd normal form. There is then an example of taking a table which is not in 2nd normal form and modifying it so that it follows 2nd normal form rules.
Third Normal Form3:34
This video goes through the rules and definition of 3rd normal form. There is then an example of taking a table which is not in 3rd normal form and modifying it so that it follows 3rd normal form rules.
Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF)5:57
This video goes through the rules and definition of Boyce-Codd normal form (BCNF). There is then an example of taking a table which is not in BCNF and modifying it so that it follows BCNF rules. The video also explains why we would use Boyce-Codd normal form with examples.
Fourth Normal Form6:48
This video goes through the rules and definition of fourth normal form (4NF). There is then an example of taking a table which is not in 4NF and modifying it so that it follows 4NF rules. The video also explains why we would use fourth normal form with examples.
Mini Project: Database Normalization2:16
Apply database normalization by transforming a messy artist-songs-albums table from first normal form to third normal form, step by step, using provided numbers or CSV files in this mini project.
Mini Project: First Normal Form6:03
Apply first normal form rules by enforcing atomic values, a primary or composite key, and a single data type per column in a normalization example with genre, songs, and albums.
Mini Project: Second Normal Form7:00
Convert the table to second normal form by making non-prime attributes depend on the composite key, and split artist, genre, song, and album data into dedicated tables with junctions.
Mini Project: Third Normal Form5:01
Apply third normal form by removing transitive dependencies in the artist table and splitting city, state, and country into an addresses table, finalizing five tables: artists, genre, address, song, album.

Project Dotify Explained2:17
Design a relational database for Spotify by converting a conceptual model into an ERD and enforcing third normal form. Add subscriber follow functionality to support a music streaming service.
Project Dotify: First Step0:58
Convert the conceptual model from the database relationships mini project into an ERD by adding attributes and primary and foreign keys, then enforce third normal form.
Project Dotify: First Step Walkthrough14:14
Convert a conceptual model into an ERD, model entities and junctions, and normalize to third normal form by adding genre and address tables.
Project Dotify: Second Step0:53
Extend the project by enabling subscribers to follow artists, adding new entities, attributes, and relationships, and ensure the ERD remains in third normal form.
Project Dotify: Second Step Walkthrough3:21
Explore modeling many-to-many relationships between subscribers and artists by creating an artist_follower junction table with subscriber_id, artist_id, and date_followed, ensuring third normal form.
Project Dotify: Wrap Up1:30

Visual Studio Code Installation and Setup3:16
Install and set up Visual Studio Code and the Draw.io extension. Create a Draw.io file to build conceptual models and entity relationship diagrams using the ER options.
Basic VS Code and Draw IO Extension User Guide4:41
Learn to set up VS code with the Draw.io extension to create conceptual models and entity relationship diagrams, including one-to-many relationships, primary and foreign keys, and ERD conventions.

Requirements

No prior knowledge of databases or SQL is needed.

Description

Master the fundamentals of relational database design in this hands-on, project-based bootcamp. Learn to build efficient, scalable databases using database relationships, normalization, ER diagrams, and best practices. Perfect for beginners and aspiring data professionals. Enroll today to boost your data skills!

This course takes a project based approach to learning database design. We begin from scratch and each section builds knowledge of different aspects of database design. Each section has a mini-project to solidify the concepts learnt. Finally we tie this all together in a final project where we apply everything we have learned in the course to design a database for a music streaming application.

This course concentrates on database design concepts for relational databases. We will not be writing or learning any SQL queries in this bootcamp. We will be using VS Code to design and create conceptual models and Entity-Relationship Diagrams. Installation and setup videos for VS Code are included in the course, as well as a quick user guide for VS Code.

Relational database design skills remain highly relevant in 2025 for several key reasons:

Ubiquity of Structured Data
Despite the rise of NoSQL and other data storage paradigms, most business-critical data is still structured and fits well into relational models — think customer records, financial transactions, inventories, etc. Relational databases (RDBMSs) like PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Microsoft SQL Server continue to power thousands of enterprise systems.
Foundations for Other Technologies
Relational design concepts like normalization, keys, and constraints form the core foundation for understanding data modeling in general, even in modern hybrid systems or when working with ORM tools in application development.
Longevity and Interoperability
Relational databases are decades-old yet still dominant. Knowing how to design them means you can work across legacy systems, modern microservices, and even cloud-native environments — a critical skill in environments where systems need to interoperate.
Demand in the Job Market
In 2025, companies continue to list relational database skills (SQL, schema design, normalization) as core requirements for software engineers, data analysts, and data engineers. The demand hasn't disappeared — it’s simply evolved.

Relational database design is a timeless skill. In 2025, it's not just about writing SQL — it's about understanding how to model data effectively, optimize performance, ensure data quality, and future-proof systems in increasingly hybrid tech environments.

In this bootcamp you will learn everything you need to design efficient and reliable relational databases. By the end of this course you will understand:

Relational databases and table structure.
Why good database design is important and the steps to database design.
Data modeling using conceptual models and entity-relationship diagrams.
The different types of database relationships and how they are implemented.
Key relational database concepts such as data integrity, data reliability and data redundancy.
The different data types, keys, constraints and indexes used in relational databases.
Database normalization and why databases should conform to at least third normal form.
A final project where you will bring all of this together to design a relational database for a music streaming service.

No prior knowledge of databases, SQL or coding is needed to take this course as we begin from scratch. Enroll today to boost your data skills!

Who this course is for:

Developers curious to improve their relational database skills.
Data Engineers, Business Analysts or Database Designers looking to improve their data modeling skills.

Relational Database Design Bootcamp

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Welcome to the Course2 lectures • 6min

Introduction to Database Design7 lectures • 24min

Database Relationships12 lectures • 1hr 4min

Keys, Constraints, Data Types, Views and Indexes7 lectures • 31min

Database Normalization11 lectures • 49min

Project: Dotify6 lectures • 23min

Appendix: Software Installation and Setup2 lectures • 8min

Bonus Material2 lectures • 2min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: