# SQL Level 2

Canonical URL: <https://www.nobledesktop.com/classes/sql-level-2>

## Overview

In this intermediate SQL course, you’ll build on your knowledge of SQL fundamentals, enhancing your skills to join, filter, group, and analyze data.

You’ll learn how to use outer joins and find NULL data. You'll learn how to group data and perform common statistical calculations using aggregate functions. Working with data requires the ability to change the data type when it’s not what you need (using CAST), and to be able to work with and format date and time information.

By the end of this intermediate hands-on course, you’ll know more SQL techniques to extract and analyze the specific data you want from the database. This will enable you to more easily turn raw data into actionable insights.

## What you'll learn

- Compare INNER and OUTER JOIN types and use LEFT, RIGHT, and FULL JOINs to combine data across tables
- Identify and work with NULL values to ensure complete and accurate data analysis
- Use the CAST function to convert data types and make your queries more flexible
- Perform calculations with aggregate functions like SUM, COUNT, AVG, MAX, and MIN to summarize data
- Apply date functions to extract, format, and compare dates for time-based analysis
- Group results using GROUP BY and filter grouped data using the HAVING clause for advanced segmentation

## Prerequisites

SQL proficiency equivalent to our [SQL Level 1](/classes/sql-level-1) course is required, including basic querying, fundamentals of filtering (WHERE, LIKE, BETWEEN), and inner JOINs.

## Curriculum

### Inner vs Outer JOIN

#### Outer Joins & Finding NULLs

- Left Join
- Right Join
- Full Join
- Find NULL values

### Manipulating, Aggregating, & Filtering Data

#### Using CAST to Change Data Types

- Why and how to use CAST to make a data type fit your query’s needs

#### Aggregate Functions

- Using Aggregate Functions to perform common statistical calculations
- Using SUM, COUNT, AVG, MAX & MIN

#### Working with Dates & Time

- Date Functions: Getting the desired part of a date/time (Year, Month, Day, etc.)
- Formatting dates, including the day of the week (Sunday, Monday, etc.)
- Calculating the difference between 2 dates

### Grouping Data & Filtering Grouped Data

#### Grouping Data with Aggregate Functions

- Using GROUP BY to organize results into categories
- Applying Aggregate Functions to groups

#### Filtering Grouped Data with HAVING

- Using HAVING to filter the results of a GROUP BY
- HAVING vs WHERE

## Schedule
- Jun 11, 2026 10:00am–5:00pm — NYC
- Jul 28, 2026 10:00am–5:00pm — NYC
- Sep 23, 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.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $350