Eastern University

[mcjon77]

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. 


I’m happy to know the next course is better.

For someone like yourself, with no SQL experience, I would look into some external resources where you can get used to writing SQL code and lots of it. Exams 3 and 4 (or at least exam 3) have several questions where you really need to know SQL well. Go through the examples as he walks through them in the lecture. Also don't be afraid to use a Udemy course on SQL to supplement it. Another option is to start with the leetcode easy SQL questions and go from there. It is fairly important to get comfortable writing SQL code, not so much for the program, but for data scientist/data analyst work in the future.

The nice thing about the exams is that if you don't do well you can study more and retake it.

[Cofffeee]

U can check Udacity Free courses, i m not sure how much they will cover, but u can find 1, 2 courses on sql for sure

[rachel83az]

https://sqlzoo.net/

https://sqlbolt.com/

https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/co...mming/sql/

https://mystery.knightlab.com/

Pick the one that works best for your learning style/needs.

[jch]

For a brief introduction to basic SQL, I'd recommend the course on https://mimo.app
There's also a review of DML/DQL/DDL in the enki app.

[rachel83az]

mimo isn't bad. I forgot it does SQL.

[jch]

mimo isn't bad. I forgot it does SQL.

Yeah, it's a decent app. I've used it for HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and SQL so far. However, I get the vibe that the content authors come from an educational culture of rote memorization. Many of the exercises structure their instruction by repeating the same command several times, instead of making the student think about how it actually works. The hints for incorrect answers often take the form of "remember to use <answer>" instead of offering an explanation. Thus, I'd recommend quickly moving on to the projects after a first pass through the lessons.

[AwardTour]

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.

---

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.

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. 


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!

[eLearner]

I just emailed them before seeing your response concerning the test being proctored or not. I think WGU does too much extra for their program when they are just an online school vs this school being a brick and mortar around since 1952. WGU would not take me for their data analytics program unless I had certain certs or do a program with Udacity. I'm so glad I found this data science program at Eastern. I have plans to start Aug 31st

That's a strange take. It speaks to quality and rigor when a school has standards, and part of the reason for prerequisites (something many schools have, not just WGU) is to ensure that students have a foundation giving them a better chance at success in the program.

[Datatag]

All of your questions can be answered here:

https://www.bellevue.edu/degrees/master/...cience-ms/

Thank for the info but Ouch! Too expensive compared to the other options. It is almost double the price of Eastern University.

Bellevue is a much more widely known university. Eastern is a religious university and depending on one's career that could turn some folks off.

As someone who has worked and hired many people in Data Science and analytics over the past 10 years I am 100% certain that NO one would differentiate Bellevue from Eastern and it would not impact your probability of getting hired. Go for the less expensive route and/or the one that has the best curriculum for you.

[Pats20]

I’d say that it may happen but I’ve not heard of anyone having difficulty finding employment or being turned off by people because they went to a Christian college or university. IMO if you turn people off by it then you probably don’t want to work for them anyways.