Database administrator courses focus on how data is added, managed, and retrieved from a database, and they may be required as part of an information technology degree or as standalone training. Query languages, web development, security, and business intelligence are among the courses available, which range from introductory theoretical courses to specialized courses in query languages, web development, security, and business intelligence. The concepts taught in introductory database administrator courses serve as a foundation for learning how to use different query languages, how to use a database to help a business succeed, and how to secure a database to prevent data loss and corruption.
The most basic database administrator courses are introductory in nature, instructing students on the theoretical concepts that underpin database administration. These courses show you how to create a basic database, manipulate data in it, and run queries to find the information you need. The main goal of introductory courses is to teach students how databases work so they can apply the concepts to more specialized courses. Courses may introduce students to a variety of database query languages or focus on a single popular one.
Basic database administrator courses typically introduce students to database query languages; however, specialized courses often focus on one language in depth and may also include web programming. These courses build on the concepts learned in the introductory database administrator courses teaching students how to create tables, add, remove, and edit items, as well as run queries in a specific language. Other topics covered in specialized database language courses include how to back up and restore database items, how to install the software required to run the database, and how to secure the database to increase availability and reduce the risk of data loss.
Data warehousing courses concentrate on how a company can improve its business intelligence utilizing database technologies. These courses focus on how a business can use database information to make better decisions covering the common tools businesses use to gather and analyze data. These courses may also cover data modeling technologies and data mining techniques, as well as project management skills.
Database security is a focus of other popular database administrator courses. These courses often teach students how to secure the operating systems on which databases are commonly run, in addition to learning how to secure the data in a database. Students will learn how to create password policies, assign appropriate roles to database users, audit a database, and prevent data loss and corruption.