Relational databases for the natural sciences and SQL programming

Professor: Luca Colombera

This short-course will take place in November-December 2026

Participants must register via the following link: registration form by 16th November 2026

Provisional schedule

30th November 3 pm – 5 pm: lecture 1 – ROOM F29
1st December 9 am – 11 am: lecture 2 (bring a laptop PC) – ROOM F29
2nd December 3 pm – 5 pm: lecture 3 (bring a laptop PC) – ROOM G16
10th December 3 pm – 5 pm: lecture 4 (bring a laptop PC) – ROOM F29
11th December 2 pm – 6 pm: practical 1 (bring a laptop PC) – ROOM F29
14th December 2 pm – 6 pm: practical 2 (bring a laptop PC) – ROOM F29
16th December 2 pm – 6 pm: practical 3 (bring a laptop PC) – ROOM G16

Lectures and practicals will be held at the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Via Ferrata 1.
Details will be provided to registered PhD candidates ahead of the start of the course.

Course description
In this short-course, students will learn the basic concepts behind relational databases (relational algebra, entity-relationship models), the use of Database Management Systems, and principles of coding using Structured Query Language. The practical will focus on the development, population and interrogation of bespoke SQL databases designed to match data requirements for the specific PhD projects of the attendees. The use of SQL for querying georeferenced data in a GIS environment, and database manipulation in other programming platforms (e.g., R) will also be treated.
 
Contact luca.colombera@unipv.it