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School of Computing Science | Faculty of Applied Sciences Simon Fraser University Calendar | Spring 2025

Computing Studies

Certificate

This program provides both part-time and full-time students with an opportunity to understand the fundamentals of computers and programming without necessarily specializing in computing science. Current SFU Computing Science students in Major or Honours programs (or related joint programs) may not apply to this program.

Prerequisite Grade Requirement

Computing science course entry requires a grade of C- or better in each prerequisite course. A minimum 2.40 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is required for 200, 300 and 400 division computing courses.

Program Requirements

A 2.00 grade point average is required on the CMPT courses that are used for graduation. Only courses completed at Simon Fraser University are used in this calculation.

Required Courses

Students complete at least 18 units of CMPT or MACM courses including:

CMPT 225 - Data Structures and Programming (3) *

Introduction to a variety of practical and important data structures and methods for implementation and for experimental and analytical evaluation. Topics include: stacks, queues and lists; search trees; hash tables and algorithms; efficient sorting; object-oriented programming; time and space efficiency analysis; and experimental evaluation. Prerequisite: (MACM 101 and (CMPT 125, CMPT 129 or CMPT 135)) or (ENSC 251 and ENSC 252), all with a minimum grade of C-. Quantitative.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 David Mitchell
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
D101 David Mitchell
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D102 David Mitchell
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D103 David Mitchell
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D104 David Mitchell
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D105 David Mitchell
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D106 David Mitchell
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D107 David Mitchell
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D108 David Mitchell
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D200 John Edgar
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Surrey
D201 John Edgar
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Surrey
D202 John Edgar
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Surrey
D203 John Edgar
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Surrey
D204 John Edgar
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Surrey
D205 John Edgar
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Surrey
D206 John Edgar
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Surrey

3 units of upper division CMPT courses chosen from the following list. 

Artificial Intelligence

CMPT 310 - Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (3)

A survey of modern approaches for artificial intelligence (AI). Provides an introduction to a variety of AI topics and prepares students for upper-level courses. Topics include: problem solving with search; adversarial game playing; probability and Bayesian networks; machine learning; and applications such as robotics, visual computing and natural language. Prerequisite: CMPT 225 and (MACM 101 or (ENSC 251 and ENSC 252)), all with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Hang Ma
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D200 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
CMPT 340 - Biomedical Computing (3)

The principles involved in using computers for data acquisition, real-time processing, pattern recognition and experimental control in biology and medicine will be developed. The use of large data bases and simulation will be explored. Prerequisite: Completion of 60 units including one of CMPT 125, 126, 128, 135, with a minimum grade of C- or CMPT 102 with a grade of B or higher.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
BLS1 Ghassan Hamarneh
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
CMPT 410 - Machine Learning (3)

Machine Learning (ML) is the study of computer algorithms that improve automatically through experience. This course introduces students to the theory and practice of machine learning, and covers mathematical foundations, models such as (generalized) linear models, kernel methods and neural networks, loss functions for classification and regression, and optimization methods. Prerequisite: CMPT 310 and MACM 316, both with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CMPT 419 under the title "Machine Learning" may not take this course for further credit.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Ke Li
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 3:30–5:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
CMPT 411 - Knowledge Representation (3)

Formal and foundational issues dealing with the representation of knowledge in artificial intelligence systems are covered. Questions of semantics, incompleteness, non-monotonicity and others will be examined. As well, particular approaches, such as procedural or semantic network, may be discussed. Prerequisite: Completion of nine units in Computing Science upper division courses or, in exceptional cases, permission of the instructor.

CMPT 413 - Computational Linguistics (3)

This course examines the theoretical and applied problems of constructing and modelling systems, which aim to extract and represent the meaning of natural language sentences or of whole discourses, but drawing on contributions from the fields of linguistics, cognitive psychology, artificial intelligence and computing science. Prerequisite: Completion of nine units in Computing Science upper division courses or, in exceptional cases, permission of the instructor.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Angel Chang
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, 3:30–4:50 p.m.
Burnaby
CMPT 417 - Intelligent Systems (3)

Intelligent Systems using modern constraint programming and heuristic search methods. A survey of this rapidly advancing technology as applied to scheduling, planning, design and configuration. An introduction to constraint programming, heuristic search, constructive (backtrack) search, iterative improvement (local) search, mixed-initiative systems and combinatorial optimization. Prerequisite: CMPT 225 with a minimum grade of C-.

CMPT 419 - Special Topics in Artificial Intelligence (3)

Current topics in artificial intelligence depending on faculty and student interest.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
BLS1 Ghassan Hamarneh
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D100 Angelica Lim
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
D200 Nicholas Vincent
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
E300 Linyi Li
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 4:30–6:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
CMPT 420 - Deep Learning (3)

In machine learning, many recent successes have been achieved using neural networks with several layers, so-called deep neural networks. Convolutional neural nets, autoencoders, recurrent neural nets, long-short term memory networks, and generative adversarial networks will be presented. Students will look at techniques for training them from data, and applications. Prerequisite: CMPT 410 or CMPT 419 (Machine Learning), with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CMPT 728 may not take this course for further credit.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Wuyang Chen
Wuyang Chen
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby

Visual and Interactive Computing

CMPT 361 - Introduction to Visual Computing (3)

Provides a unified introduction to the fundamentals of computer graphics and computer vision (visual computing). Topics include graphics pipelines, sampling and aliasing, geometric transformations, projection and camera models, meshing, texturing, color theory, image filtering and registration, shading and illumination, raytracing, rasterization, animation, optical flow, and game engines. Prerequisite: CMPT 225 and MATH 232 or 240, all with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Xue Bin Jason Peng
Yagiz Aksoy
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
CMPT 363 - User Interface Design (3)

This course provides a comprehensive study of user interface design. Topics include: goals and principles of UI design (systems engineering and human factors), historical perspective, current paradigms (widget-based, mental model, graphic design, ergonomics, metaphor, constructivist/iterative approach, and visual languages) and their evaluation, existing tools and packages (dialogue models, event-based systems, prototyping), future paradigms, and the social impact of UI. Prerequisite: CMPT 225 and CMPT 263, both with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Parmit Kaur Chilana
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
CMPT 365 - Multimedia Systems (3)

Multimedia systems design, multimedia hardware and software, issues in effectively representing, processing, and retrieving multimedia data such as text, graphics, sound and music, image and video. Prerequisite: CMPT 225 with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
E100 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 4:30–6:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
CMPT 412 - Computer Vision (3)

Computational approaches to image and video understanding in relation to theories, the operation of the human visual system, and practical application areas such as robotics. Topics include image classification, object detection, image segmentation based mostly on deep neural network and to some extent classical techniques, and 3D reconstruction. Also covers state-of-the-art deep neural architectures for computer vision applications, such as metric learning, generative adversarial networks, and recurrent neural networks. Prerequisite: CMPT 361 and MATH 152, both with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Andrea Tagliasacchi
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
CMPT 461 - Computational Photography and Image Manipulation (3)

Computational photography is concerned with overcoming the limitations of traditional photography with computation: in optics, sensors, and geometry; and even in composition, style, and human interfaces. The course covers computational techniques to improve the way we process, manipulate, and interact with visual media. The covered topics include intrinsic decomposition, monocular depth estimation, edit propagation, camera geometry and optics, computational apertures, advanced image filtering operations, high-dynamic range, image blending, texture synthesis and inpainting. Prerequisite: CMPT 361 with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Yagiz Aksoy
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
CMPT 464 - Geometric Modelling in Computer Graphics (3)

Covers advanced topics in geometric modelling and processing for computer graphics, such as Bezier and B-spline techniques, subdivision curves and surfaces, solid modelling, implicit representation, surface reconstruction, multi-resolution modelling, digital geometry processing (e.g. mesh smoothing, compression, and parameterization), point-based representation, and procedural modelling. Prerequisite: CMPT 361, MACM 316, both with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CMPT 469 between 2003 and 2007 or equivalent may not take this course for further credit.

CMPT 466 - Animation (3)

Topics and techniques in animation, including: The history of animation, computers in animation, traditional animation approaches, and computer animation techniques such as geometric modelling, interpolation, camera controls, kinematics, dynamics, constraint-based animation, realistic motion, temporal aliasing, digital effects and post production. Prerequisite: CMPT 361 and MACM 316, with a minimum grade of C- or permission of the instructor.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 KangKang Yin
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
CMPT 467 - Visualization (3)

Presents advanced topics in the field of scientific and information visualization. Topics include an introduction to visualization (importance, basic approaches, and existing tools), abstract visualization concepts, human perception, visualization methodology, data representation, 2D and 3D display, interactive visualization, and their use in medical, scientific, and business applications. Prerequisite: CMPT 361, MACM 316, both with a minimum grade of C-.

CMPT 469 - Special Topics in Computer Graphics (3)

Current topics in computer graphics depending on faculty and student interest. Prerequisite: CMPT 361 with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Manolis Savva
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby

Computing Systems

CMPT 300 - Operating Systems I (3)

This course aims to give the student an understanding of what a modern operating system is, and the services it provides. It also discusses some basic issues in operating systems and provides solutions. Topics include multiprogramming, process management, memory management, and file systems. Prerequisite: CMPT 225 and (CMPT 295 or ENSC 254), all with a minimum grade of C-.

CMPT 305 - Computer Simulation and Modelling (3)

An introduction to the modelling, analysis, and computer simulation of complex systems. Topics include analytic modelling, discrete event simulation, experimental design, random number generation, and statistical analysis. Prerequisite: CMPT 225, (MACM 101 or (ENSC 251 and ENSC 252)) and (STAT 270 or STAT 271), all with a minimum grade of C-.

CMPT 371 - Data Communications and Networking (3)

Data communication fundamentals (data types, rates, and transmission media). Network architectures for local and wide areas. Communications protocols suitable for various architectures. ISO protocols and internetworking. Performance analysis under various loadings and channel error rates. Prerequisite: CMPT 225 and (MATH 151 or MATH 150), with a minimum grade of C-. MATH 154 or MATH 157 with a grade of at least B+ may be substituted for MATH 151 (MATH 150).

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
E100 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 4:30–6:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Surrey
Surrey
CMPT 379 - Principles of Compiler Design (3)

This course covers the key components of a compiler for a high level programming language. Topics include lexical analysis, parsing, type checking, code generation and optimization. Students will work in teams to design and implement an actual compiler making use of tools such as lex and yacc. Prerequisite: (MACM 201 or CMPT 210), (CMPT 295 or ENSC 215) and CMPT 225, all with a minimum grade of C-.

CMPT 403 - System Security and Privacy (3)

Starting from cybersecurity principles, students will learn to protect systems from attacks on data confidentiality, integrity, system availability, and user privacy. By modeling system security, students will learn to find weaknesses in software, hardware, networks, data storage systems, and the Internet, and identify current security practices to protect these systems. Prerequisite: CMPT 201 or CMPT 300, with a minimum grade of C-.

CMPT 431 - Distributed Systems (3)

An introduction to distributed systems: systems consisting of multiple physical components connected over a network. Architectures of such systems, ranging from client-server to peer-to-peer. Distributed systems are analyzed via case studies of real network file systems, replicated systems, sensor networks and peer-to-peer systems. Hands-on experience designing and implementing a complex distributed system. Prerequisite: (CMPT 201 or CMPT 300) and CMPT 371, both with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CMPT 401 before September 2008 may not take this course for further credit.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Keval Vora
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
CMPT 433 - Embedded Systems (3)

The basics of embedded system organization, hardware-software co-design, and programmable chip technologies are studied. Formal models and specification languages for capturing and analyzing the behaviour of embedded systems. The design and use of tools for system partitioning and hardware/software co-design implementation, validation, and verification are also studied. Prerequisite: (CMPT 201 or CMPT 300) and CMPT 295, with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Brian Fraser
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Surrey
Surrey
CMPT 450 - Computer Architecture (3)

Principles of the architecture of computing systems. Topics include: superscalar processor micro-architecture, speculative execution, cache and memory hierarchy, multiprocessors, cache coherence, memory consistency, implications of technology on architecture, parallel architectures (multi-threading, GPUs, vector processors). Prerequisite: CMPT 295 with a minimum grade of C-.

CMPT 471 - Networking II (3)

This course covers the fundamentals of higher level network functionality such as remote procedure/object calls, name/address resolution, network file systems, network security and high speed connectivity/bridging/switching. Prerequisite: (CMPT 201 or CMPT 300) and CMPT 371, with a minimum grade of C-.

CMPT 479 - Special Topics in Computing Systems (3)

Current topics in computing systems depending on faculty and student interest. Prerequisite: CMPT 201 or CMPT 300, with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
E100 Rob Cameron
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
Burnaby
CMPT 499 - Special Topics in Computer Hardware (3)

Current topics in computer hardware depending on faculty and student interest. Prerequisite: CMPT 250 or ENSC 250, with a minimum grade of C-.

Information Systems

CMPT 353 - Computational Data Science (3)

Basic concepts and programming tools for handling and processing data. Includes data acquisition, cleaning data sources, application of machine learning techniques and data analysis techniques, large-scale computation on a computing cluster. Prerequisite: CMPT 225 and (BUS 232, STAT 201, STAT 203, STAT 205, STAT 270, STAT 271, ENSC 280, MSE 210, or SEE 241), with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Steven Bergner
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
CMPT 354 - Database Systems I (3)

Logical representations of data records. Data models. Studies of some popular file and database systems. Document retrieval. Other related issues such as database administration, data dictionary and security. Prerequisite: CMPT 225 and (MACM 101 or (ENSC 251 and ENSC 252)), all with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Evgenia Ternovska
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
CMPT 362 - Mobile Applications Programming and Design (3)

Teaches students how to design and implement smartphone applications. Topics include development environment, phone emulator, key programming paradigms, UI design including views, fragments, and activities, data persistence, threads, services, embedded sensors, and location based services (e.g., Google Maps). Concepts are reinforced through programming assignments and group projects. Prerequisite: CMPT 225 with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for IAT 359 may not take this course for further credit.

CMPT 372 - Web II - Server-side Development (3)

Introduces students to the fundamentals of server-side web development. Students will gain experience working with backend web frameworks, designing and implementing web APIs, and deploying web systems. Students will be introduced to popular back-end frameworks. The course will focus on the design, creating, implementation, and deployment of backend systems, including APIs. Prerequisite: CMPT 272 and CMPT 225, both with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CMPT 470 may not take this course for further credit.

CMPT 441 - Computational Biology (3)

This course introduces students to the computing science principles underlying computational biology. The emphasis is on the design, analysis and implementation of computational techniques. Possible topics include algorithms for sequence alignment, database searching, gene finding, phylogeny and structure analysis. Prerequisite: CMPT 307 with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CMPT 341 may not take this course for further credit.

CMPT 454 - Database Systems II (3)

An advanced course on database systems which covers crash recovery, concurrency control, transaction processing, distributed database systems as the core material and a set of selected topics based on the new developments and research interests, such as object-oriented data models and systems, extended relational systems, deductive database systems, and security and integrity. Prerequisite: (CMPT 201 or CMPT 300) and CMPT 354, with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Tianzheng Wang
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
CMPT 456 - Information Retrieval and Web Search (3)

Introduction to the essentials of information retrieval and the applications of information retrieval in web search and web information systems. Topics include the major models of information retrieval, similarity search, text content search, link structures and web graphics, web mining and applications, crawling, search engines, and some advanced topics such as spam detection, online advertisement, and fraud detection in online auctions. Prerequisite: CMPT 354 with a minimum grade of C-.

CMPT 459 - Special Topics in Database Systems (3)

Current topics in database and information systems depending on faculty and student interest. Prerequisite: CMPT 354 with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Tianzheng Wang
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 12:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
CMPT 474 - Web Systems Architecture (3)

Web service based systems are fundamentally different from traditional software systems. The conceptual and methodological differences between a standard software development process and the development of a web service based information system. The technology involved during the construction of their own web service based application in an extensive project. Prerequisite: CMPT 371 with a minimum grade of C-.

Programming Languages and Software

CMPT 373 - Software Development Methods (3)

Survey of modern software development methodology. Several software development process models will be examined, as will the general principles behind such models. Provides experience with different programming paradigms and their advantages and disadvantages during software development. Prerequisite: CMPT 276 or 275, with a minimum grade of C-.

CMPT 383 - Comparative Programming Languages (3)

Various concepts and principles underlying the design and use of modern programming languages are considered in the context of procedural, object-oriented, functional and logic programming languages. Topics include data and control structuring constructs, facilities for modularity and data abstraction, polymorphism, syntax, and formal semantics. Prerequisite: CMPT 225 and (MACM 101 or (ENSC 251 and ENSC 252)), all with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Yuepeng Wang
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Surrey
CMPT 384 - Symbolic Computing (3)

This course considers modelling and programming techniques appropriate for symbolic data domains such as mathematical expressions, logical formulas, grammars and programming languages. Topics include recursive and functional programming style, grammar-based data abstraction, simplification and reduction transformations, conversions to canonical form, environment data structures and interpreters, metaprogramming, pattern matching and theorem proving. Prerequisite: CMPT 225 and (MACM 101 or (ENSC 251 and ENSC 252)), all with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Anders Miltner
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
CMPT 473 - Software Testing, Reliability and Security (3)

Methods for software quality assurance focusing on reliability and security. Test coverage and test data adequacy including combinatorial testing. MC/DC testing, and mutation testing. Security engineering techniques for vulnerability discovery and mitigation including fuzz testing. Testing techniques will be applied to the assessment of external open source software. Prerequisite: (CMPT 275 or CMPT 276) with a minimum grade of C- and 15 upper division CMPT units.

CMPT 475 - Requirements Engineering (3)

Software succeeds when it is well-matched to its intended purpose. Requirements engineering is the process of discovering that purpose by making requirements explicit and documenting them in a form amenable to analysis, reasoning, and validation, establishing the key attributes of a system prior to its construction. Students will learn methodical approaches to requirements analysis and design specification in early systems development phases, along with best practices and common principles to cope with notoriously changing requirements. Prerequisite: CMPT 275 or CMPT 276, (MACM 201 or CMPT 210) , all with a minimum grade of C- and 15 units of upper division courses. Recommended: Co-op experience.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
E100 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
Burnaby
CMPT 477 - Introduction to Formal Verification (3)

Introduces, at an accessible level, a formal framework for symbolic model checking, one of the most important verification methods. The techniques are illustrated with examples of verification of reactive systems and communication protocols. Students learn to work with a model checking tool. Prerequisite: CMPT 275 or 276, with a minimum grade of C-.

CMPT 489 - Special Topics in Programming Languages (3)

Current topics in programming languages depending on faculty and student interest. Prerequisite: CMPT 383 with a minimum grade of C-.

Theoretical Computing Science

CMPT 307 - Data Structures and Algorithms (3)

Design and analysis of efficient data structures and algorithms. General techniques for building and analyzing algorithms (greedy, divide & conquer, dynamic programming, network flows). Introduction to NP-completeness. Prerequisite: CMPT 225, (MACM 201 or CMPT 210), (MATH 150 or MATH 151), and (MATH 232 or MATH 240), all with a minimum grade of C-. MATH 154 or MATH 157 with a grade of at least B+ may be substituted for MATH 150 or MATH 151.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Qianping Gu
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D200 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Surrey
Surrey
CMPT 308 - Computability and Complexity (3)

Formal models of computation such as automata and Turing machines. Decidability and undecidability. Recursion Theorem. Connections between computability and logic (Gödel’s Incompleteness). Time and space complexity classes. NP-completeness. Prerequisite: (MACM 201 or CMPT 210) with a minimum grade of C-.

CMPT 404 - Cryptography and Cryptographic Protocols (3)

The main cryptographic tools and primitives, their use in cryptographic applications; security and weaknesses of the current protocols. The notion of security, standard encryption schemes, digital signatures, zero-knowledge, selected other topics. Prerequisite: (MACM 201 or CMPT 210) with a minimum grade of C-. CMPT 307 and 308 are recommended.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Andrei Bulatov
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
CMPT 405 - Design and Analysis of Computing Algorithms (3)

Models of computation, methods of algorithm design; complexity of algorithms; algorithms on graphs, NP-completeness, approximation algorithms, selected topics. Prerequisite: CMPT 307 with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Qianping Gu
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
CMPT 407 - Computational Complexity (3)

Study of what is, and is not, efficiently computable with limited resources (time, space, randomness, parallelism, nondeterminism, interaction, and quantum). Complexity classes and connections among them. Interplay between complexity and algorithm design. Prerequisite: CMPT 307 with a minimum grade of C-. CMPT 308 is recommended.

CMPT 409 - Special Topics in Theoretical Computing Science (3)

Current topics in theoretical computing science depending on faculty and student interest. Prerequisite: CMPT 307 with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Evgenia Ternovska
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
CMPT 476 - Introduction to Quantum Algorithms (3)

An introductory treatment of quantum computing with an emphasis on quantum algorithms. Topics include the gate model of quantum computation focusing on the design and implementation of quantum algorithms. Basic knowledge of algorithms and complexity will be an asset, but not required. No prior knowledge of physics or quantum mechanics is necessary, only a solid background in linear algebra. Prerequisite: MATH 232 or MATH 240, with a minimum grade of C-. Students who have taken CMPT 409 in Summer 2020 and 2021 under the title "Intro to Quantum Computing" may not take this course for further credit.

* Students are responsible for meeting the prerequisites for this course: introductory computer science (CMPT 125, CMPT 126 or CMPT 135) and discrete math (MACM 101) or their equivalents. Note that completion of these courses counts towards the 18 units required for the certificate.

Co-operative Education and Work Experience

All computing science students are strongly encouraged to explore the opportunities that Work Integrated Learning (WIL) can offer them. Please contact an applied sciences co-op advisor during your first year of studies to ensure that you have all of the necessary courses and information to help plan for a successful co-op experience.

Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit

  • At least half of the program's total units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.
  • At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.

Please see Faculty of Applied Sciences Residency Requirements for further information.