Optimizing SQL for Analytics In The Cloud

This class will be live online (i.e. synchronous).

This course is a part of ProTech. Please review eligibility requirements below before applying.

Master the transition from basic queries to high-performance cloud data architectures

As organizations migrate to the cloud, writing efficient, scalable SQL is no longer optional - it is a requirement. Whether you are working in a local PostgreSQL instance or a massive data warehouse, poorly optimized queries lead to high costs and slow insights. This continuing education course is designed to take you beyond the basics of SELECT and JOIN. You will learn to handle complex data structures, utilize advanced analytical functions, and apply cloud-specific optimization patterns that keep your code efficient as data volume grows.

Is this course for you?

This course is designed for anyone who has a solid grasp of SQL basics and is ready to tackle the complexities of modern, cloud-based data environments. It is a fit if:

  • You have SQL basics down but want to stand out to employers by proving you can handle the "messy" datasets and high-performance requirements found in professional environments.
  • You are preparing for technical interviews and want to move past "how" to write a query and focus on the "why," giving you the confidence to explain your logic during live coding sessions or whiteboarding.

Who is this course not designed for?
  • Beginners who have not yet mastered basic SQL syntax (e.g. basic joins, grouping, filtering). Success in this course will depend on having a solid grasp of how SQL functions.
  • Data engineers with experience in cloud optimization, unless you are looking to increase your knowledge of analytic SQL or gain experience with BigQuery features.

What will the course cover?

  • Window Functions
    Learn to use functions like RANK(), LEAD(), LAG(), and PARTITION BY to perform time-series and comparative analysis. These tools allow you to perform complex calculations across sets of rows without collapsing your data into a single output.
  • Common Table Expressions (CTEs) & Subqueries
    Organize your logic into readable, modular code using CTEs. You will also learn the practical differences between correlated and non-correlated subqueries so you can choose the right approach for your specific dataset.
  • String Functions & Regular Expressions (Regex)
    Develop practical skills for cleaning and parsing unstructured text data. You will use pattern matching to extract insights from complex string fields, which is a common task when dealing with real-world, "messy" data.
  • Complex Data Structures
    Gain proficiency in handling non-relational data within a SQL environment. You will learn to query and manipulate arrays, JSON objects, and STRUCT fields, which are essential for analyzing modern semi-structured data.
  • PostgreSQL Performance
    Move beyond simply running queries to understanding how they execute. You will use EXPLAIN ANALYZE to identify performance bottlenecks and learn how to use indexes effectively to speed up your data retrieval.
  • BigQuery Architecture
    Understand the specifics of cloud-based data warehouses, including partitioning and clustering. These techniques, which can be applied across most cloud data warehouse platforms, help you minimize the amount of data processed, which directly reduces cloud costs and improves query speed.
  • Query Patterns
    Learn distributed query strategies like "filtering early and computing late". These patterns help optimize the shuffle phase of your queries, ensuring your code remains.
  • Data Modeling
    Apply your SQL skills to build persistent derived tables and explore data models within Looker Studio. This helps you transition from writing raw queries to creating reusable data structures for an entire organization.
  • Presentation
    For your final project, you will analyze a cloud dataset and present your insights through a Looker Studio dashboard. This capstone allows you to demonstrate your ability to turn complex data into clear, actionable visual stories.

How will you learn the material?

Hands-on Learning
Students actively engage in hands-on exercises and projects as opposed to being passively lectured to. Students leave with a deeper understanding of the subject matter and are ready to apply their new skills on the job. Students will spend a large portion of each class writing SQL code in PostgreSQL environments and in BigQuery using the Google Cloud Console.
Live Online Learning
Students will have the opportunity to interact in real-time with instructors and peers via a live virtual classroom, and will participate in small group breakout sessions to tackle complex query challenges.
Independent Learning
Expect approximately 6 hours of independent study per week, including practical assignments and a final project you’ll be able to highlight in your professional portfolio.

  • Schedule

    Tuesdays and Thursdays 6PM - 9PM CT

  • Location

    This class is live online (i.e. synchronous).

  • Dates

    March 24 - May 14, 2026

  • Tuition

    FREE

    This course is a part of ProTech. Please review eligibility requirements below before applying.
What is required?
  • Personal Computer
  • Must be 18+ years old
  • Must understand the basic syntax of SQL (SELECT, FROM, WHERE, GROUP BY, basic JOINs)
ProTech Eligibility
  • Must reside in Middle Tennessee
  • Graduate of NSS, another coding bootcamp, or college/university with tech-related degree AND searching for your first job in tech.
  • Tech professional who is unemployed after being laid off from a tech job

Attendance Information

Our policy regarding absences is based on making sure you get the most out of your professional development. Attendance is tracked for this course. Excused absences should be arranged with your instructor before they occur. Due to the short duration of this course we recommend that you not miss multiple days of this course. Absence due to emergencies are always excused as long as the instructor is notified as soon as possible.

Have questions?
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Ready to take the leap?
Apply