CS 744: Big Data Systems
Fall '17: Course Home Page
[ Home | Reading List | Schedule | Assignments | Piazza ]
Overview, Syllabus, Structure

This class will introduce you to key concepts and state-of-the-art in big data systems. After covering the basics of modern hardware and software infrastructures that these systems leverage, we will explore the systems themselves from the ground up.

Specifically, we will cover these topics:

Readings: The course will be paper reading-based. See the reading list here.

Assignments and project: While readings will cover the "theory" behind big data systems, a set of 3 hands-on assignments and a research project would help students explore the practical side of things. Note that the students in the traditional MS/PhD program in Computer Science are required to complete a comprehesive research project in addition to completing all the programming assignments. See a tentative outline of planned assignments here.

Admin Details

Course prerequisites: The prerequisites for this course are (CS 564 or CS 764) and (CS 537 or CS 736), or equivalent courses. Both grads and undergrads are welcome to take this class. Feel free to talk to me first if you feel you may not be able to "handle" it.

Text: There is no required text for this course. The lectures will be based on discussing research papers. The entire paper reading list is available here.

Piazza: We will be using Piazza for outside-class Q&A and to discuss papers. The system is highly catered to getting you help fast and efficiently from classmates, and myself. Rather than emailing questions to the teaching staff, I encourage you to post your questions on Piazza. If you have any problems or feedback for the developers, email team@piazza.com. Find our class page at: https://piazza.com/class/j76jd9eeehr170.

Grade distribution:

Class Time: TR 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Location: CS 1240

Instructor: Aditya Akella
Email: akella@cs.wisc.edu
Office: CS 7379
Office Hours: 3:00pm-4:00pm, Tuesday and Thursday. Also by appointment.

Teaching assistants: e-mail: cs744fall2017@gmail.com