# SQL Level 1 Canonical URL: ## Overview This SQL starter course will provide you with strong foundational skills to explore the tables, columns, and rows stored in a database and write/code SQL queries to extract and start analyzing that data. Using practical, hands-on exercises, our expert instructor will guide you through understanding the basics of database architecture and will develop your skills in writing real SQL code. You’ll learn how to write SELECT statements to choose specific columns from tables, filter the results using WHERE, AND/OR, IN, and NOT. You’ll also learn how to use wildcard filters and mathematical comparisons like equals, greater than, and less than, to retrieve only the data you want. Finally, you’ll combine data from multiple tables with INNER JOINs. By the end of this introductory hands-on course, you’ll be able to write basic SQL queries for Microsoft SQL Server. You’ll learn how to use the free SQL Server Management Studio app to explore the database and execute your SQL queries. The concepts you’ll learn in SQL Server can be applied to other flavors of SQL (such as Microsoft Access, PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc.) with minor syntax differences. ## What you'll learn - Understand core database concepts, including tables, rows, columns, and various types of SQL - Connect to databases and navigate SQL Server Management Studio using tools such as Object Explorer and Query Editor - Write SELECT statements to retrieve data, specify columns, sort results, and remove duplicates - Use WHERE, AND, OR, IN, and NOT clauses to filter data and apply pattern matching with wildcard characters - Explore data types, comparison operators, and case sensitivity to refine queries with more control - Learn how to join tables using INNER JOIN and understand relational database concepts with ER diagrams and table aliases ## Curriculum ### Foundations of SQL & Databases #### SQL Fundamental Concepts - What is SQL & why is it used? - Flavors of SQL: SQL Server vs Postgres, etc. - Database Tables, Rows, & Columns #### Exploring Databases & Writing SQL Statements (with the free SQL Server Management Studio app) - Connecting to a Database - Object Explorer - SQL Query Editor - Using Code Hints - Viewing the Results of your SQL query - Setting Preferences (Options) ### Writing SQL Queries #### Writing SELECT Statements - Syntax of a SELECT statement - Selecting all columns or specific columns from a table - Limiting the number of results using TOP - Ordering the results using ORDER BY - Returning only DISTINCT records (eliminating duplicates) #### Filtering Results - Data Types (Strings vs Numbers) - Comparison Operators: equal to, greater or less than, not equal to, etc. - Filtering results using WHERE, AND, OR, IN, and NOT - Pattern Matching: Wildcard Filters - Case Sensitivity ### Using Joins to Combine Data from Multiple Tables #### Understanding Table Relationships - What are Primary vs Primary Keys - Creating ER (Entity Relationship) Diagrams to visual what’s in a database - Database Relations: One-to-One, One-to-Many, & Many-to-Many #### Combining Tables with JOIN - Inner Joins - Column & Table Aliases ## Schedule - Jun 10, 2026 10:00am–5:00pm — NYC - Jul 27, 2026 10:00am–5:00pm — NYC - Sep 22, 2026 10:00am–5:00pm — NYC - Sep 22, 2026 10:00am–5:00pm — NYC ## Instructors ### Dan Rodney — School Director, Instructor, & Senior Course Developer Dan Rodney has been a designer and web developer for over 20 years, creating coursework and leading innovative training initiatives at Noble Desktop. He teaches courses covering Figma, HTML & CSS, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Power BI. Dan has also been at the forefront of integrating AI into design and business workflows, spearheading Noble Desktop’s latest AI course offerings. In addition to teaching and curriculum development, he writes custom scripts for InDesign (Make Book Jacket, Proper Fraction Pro, and more) and works with automation and AI-driven tools in his free time. You can find Dan on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, and at danrodney.com. Learn more about [Dan Rodney's](/dan-rodney) background and expertise. ### Garfield Stinvil — Senior Instructor Garfield is an experienced software trainer with over 16 years of real-world professional experience. He started as a data analyst with a Wall Street real estate investment company & continued working in the professional development department at New York Road Runners Organization before working at Noble. He enjoys bringing humor to whatever he teaches and loves conveying ideas in novel ways that help others learn more efficiently. Since starting his professional training career in 2016, he has worked with several corporate clients including Adobe, HBO, Amazon, Yelp, Mitsubishi, WeWork, Michael Kors, Christian Dior, and Hermès. Outside of work, his hobbies include rescuing & archiving at-risk artistic online media using his database management skills. ## FAQ ### How is this class structured? In this hands-on course you’ll learn to get started with SQL. You will learn to explore data using the graphical interface of SQL Server Management Studio, write SQL queries, combine information from multiple tables, and more. There will be a combination of lectures explaining the concepts, coding demonstrations showing you how to write SQL, and time for you to write SQL queries based on challenge questions we provide. ### What flavor of SQL will I learn in this class? In this training you’ll learn Microsoft SQL Server, but the core concepts can be applied to other flavors of SQL (such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc.) with minor syntax differences. ### Is there mandatory work outside of the classroom? You are not required to complete any work outside of class. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $350