Foundations of Data Engineering

This unit introduces the origins, types, and business importance of data and distinguishes data from information. It also presents the data engineering life cycle, stakeholder engagement, foundational database concepts (relational and NoSQL), and hands-on SQL fundamentals to prepare students for building pipelines and advanced data systems in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the history, types, and business value of data and differentiate data from information in organizational scenarios
• Evaluate the data engineering life cycle, current industry practices, and stakeholder roles to recommend approaches that deliver measurable business value
• Select appropriate database technologies (relational vs NoSQL) for given project requirements by comparing data characteristics, use cases, and trade-offs
• Apply SQL fundamentals—including comparison operators and joins—by setting up a local SQL Server environment, executing queries in a lab, and demonstrating best practices for query efficiency