The Foundation for Discovery
6 - 9 months
7654787
This Program is Perfect For
- Aspiring data professionals ready to build robust and scalable data infrastructure
- Learners seeking focused, hands-on credentials with modular flexibility
- Professionals building skills
Program review underway
As we evolve our programs to reflect today’s technology landscape, the specialization in Data Engineering is under review and is not currently open for new enrollment. If you are enrolled in this specialization and are finishing up your courses, please reach out to us at extension@ucsc.edu. We will help you plan your journey.
After reviewing the current market conditions and engaging with industry, we are now offering new short programs, that are flexible paths to get the skills you need fast. During this time, our specialization programs continue to be under review and we are committed to assisting all enrolled students to finish the specialization programs. To learn more, visit our Short Programs page.
Courses are open to everyone
You are invited to enroll in individual courses to build your knowledge and develop new skills.
Data engineering sets the foundation for discovery
Our specialization in Data Engineering develops your ability to construct complex databases while optimizing performance. You will understand Big Data concepts, sharpen your relational database management system (RDBMS) skills, gain SQL and NoSQL database expertise, and explore the field of IoT (internet of things).
Program learning outcomes
- Describe a business or other activity in terms suitable for defining a relational database for that activity.
- Compile the SQL code needed to create a database, as well as to insert, access, and update the information in the database.
- Identify different strategies used for improving database performance through database indexes, optimizer, explain plan, and database hints.
- Discuss the inner workings of Hadoop's computing framework, including MapReduce processing and Hadoop's file system (HDFS).
Stackable skills
You can learn more in this field in the Data Science specialization or the more in-depth Data Science and Data Analysis certificate program.
Courses
Program Requirements
Total: 3 courses (8 quarter units)
- End with specialization completion review.
1. Required Course(s):
DBDA.X415
$910
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Jul. 7 - Sep. 8, Tue, 12:01am - 11:59pm
- Online Self-Paced Work online at your own pace.
DBDA.X415.(862)
Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Meeting Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, 07-07-2026 | 12:01am | 12:02am | Online Self-Paced | ONLINE |
| Tue, 09-08-2026 | 11:58pm | 11:59pm | Online Self-Paced | ONLINE |
Note: Based on the requirements for special programs, such as CMU, students may complete this course early and receive a letter grade before the official end date. Click here for details.
Online Self-Paced courses have a structured learning environment where students are allowed to complete the work at their own pace. Students may complete the coursework early or use the entire duration of the course. This course is largely self-study with instructor guidance and includes online learning modules, assignments, and/or quizzes. All course materials and assignments will be available at the beginning of the course on Canvas, our learning management system.
For this section, student access begins on July 7, but you may still enroll until August 4. All course work must be completed by 11:59 pm on September 8, 2026.
You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Required Tools & Materials: MySQL Workbench: (https://www.mysql.com/products/workbench/)
System Requirements: Students are required to have access to a computer with a 8GB of RAM preferred (4GB minimum) and the ability to install software. For further details, see https://www.mysql.com/support/supportedplatforms/workbench.html.
Recommended Tools & Materials
Murach's MySQL, Joel Murach, Mike Murach & Associates, 2019, ISBN 978-1943872367.
Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 24 Hours, Ryan Stephens, et al., Sams Publishing, 2021, ISBN: 978-0672335419.
Additional Information
AI*: This course encourages the responsible use of AI tools such as ChatGPT for examining SQL practice queries, so that students can obtain explanations and improvements for their code.
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Sep. 8 - Dec. 8, Tue, 12:01am - 11:59pm
- Online Self-Paced Work online at your own pace.
DBDA.X415.(863)
Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Meeting Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, 09-08-2026 | 12:01am | 12:02am | Online Self-Paced | ONLINE |
| Tue, 12-08-2026 | 11:58pm | 11:59pm | Online Self-Paced | ONLINE |
Note: Based on the requirements for special programs, such as CMU, students may complete this course early and receive a letter grade before the official end date. Click here for details.
Online Self-Paced courses have a structured learning environment where students are allowed to complete the work at their own pace. Students may complete the coursework early or use the entire duration of the course. This course is largely self-study with instructor guidance and includes online learning modules, assignments, and/or quizzes. All course materials and assignments will be available at the beginning of the course on Canvas, our learning management system.
For this section, student access begins on September 8, but you may still enroll until October 13. All course work must be completed by 11:59 pm on December 8, 2026.
You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Required Tools & Materials: MySQL Workbench: (https://www.mysql.com/products/workbench/)
System Requirements: Students are required to have access to a computer with a 8GB of RAM preferred (4GB minimum) and the ability to install software. For further details, see https://www.mysql.com/support/supportedplatforms/workbench.html.
Recommended Tools & Materials
Murach's MySQL, Joel Murach, Mike Murach & Associates, 2019, ISBN 978-1943872367.
Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 24 Hours, Ryan Stephens, et al., Sams Publishing, 2021, ISBN: 978-0672335419.
Additional Information
AI*: This course encourages the responsible use of AI tools such as ChatGPT for examining SQL practice queries, so that students can obtain explanations and improvements for their code.
Fall
Summer
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Winter
DBDA.X409
$740
(Estimated Cost)
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Fall
2. Completion Review
O-CE0530
$50
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Schedule
Specialization in Data Engineering Completion Review Course
Establish Candidacy
Instructors
Program Chair
Parthasarathy Padmanabhan
Principal Software Engineer, New Relic | Program Chair
PARTHASARATHY PADMANABHAN, M.B.A., principal software engineer at New Relic Inc., is a data architect with more than 25 years of experience in information technology and has worked in data modeling for more than 10 years. He teaches "Data Modeling for Relational Databases," and "Data Visualization & Data Analysis" and began serving as chair of the Data Science and Data Analytics Advisory Board in 2020.
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