COMM 3220

Professor Sarker was an amazing professor for this course! I personally struggle with coding and more technical aspects of data, but although this class was accelerated, it was broken down into modules that were easy to comprehend. It is a big time commitment though (3 hours twice a week for half of the semester)

That being said, it does take a significant amount of work throughout the semester since it is fast paced. I struggled during exam time because many of the concepts built on each other, so my main recommendation for this class is to review after each class or each week. The group projects were good and allowed us to explore data in the context of the real world. Additionally, the exams were super fair and relatively easy if you studied. He also gave a decent amount of partial credit. There are a few quizzes throughout the course, as well, so those three components make up your grade. I definitely recommend this course to those in comm. #tCFfall2021

Great class, and a valuable topic.

I felt that I fully understand SQL after this class. It is an excellent introduction to databases, and I think probably one of the most valuable classes I have taken at UVA. Additionally, the grading is completely fair and to be frank pretty easy.

Follow with the lectures, and group work (also get a good group) and you will be absolutely fine and walk away with an extremely solid class to add to the resume.

Interesting class where you will learn SQL. Sarker is a nice teacher always energetic, but his lectures can be boring and confusing sometimes. Some quizzes and two midterms during the semester plus a group project to do. The Group Project is by far the most complicate thing and time-consuming part of this course but you will learn a lot. Overall this class is not that hard if you put some effort into it.

Lots of group work, but tons to be learned. Make sure you get a solid group because you need to rely on one another. Also, expect to study hard to get concepts before exams

What you will do in this class is basically the following:
(I) Learn how to meaningful structure a database (ER-Diagram).
(II) How to set up a database and to populate it with data. Involves programming SQL.
(III) How to query a database. Involves programming SQL.
In the group project, which makes up the most part of the grade (40%), you will go through all those steps and end up having completed your own database that addresses a specific information problem. The class is for the most part (and unlike many other comm classes) not that work intensive, but intellectually more challenging than an average COMM Class. Focuses also rather on the technical aspect than the management aspect. As a solid database knowledge is also the foundation for analyzing data, it might be worth taking it also if you are interested in Big Data Analysis. Highly recommendable class overall, although the Professor is not the best at explaining. You might want to look into the book.

Great class. Definitely emphasizes the database component more than the BI stuff. Sarker is a great professor.

The course consist of a few simple homeworks, 2 midterms, and a group project that goes on throughout the semester. No final exam, but there is a group interview about the project where you have to defend your design and write queries on the spot. Overall, highly recommend the class.