Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - CMPT 479 D100

Special Topics in Computing Systems (3)

Web Engineering

Class Number: 4906

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 6, 2026: Fri, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CMPT 201 or CMPT 300 or ENSC 351, with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Current topics in computing systems depending on faculty and student interest.

COURSE DETAILS:

This is a project-based, seminar-style graduate course cross-listed with CMPT 982.


Given the widespread use and critical role of web applications, analyzing, understanding, debugging, and testing them are essential. However, analyzing web applications presents unique challenges due to their complexity, dynamism, asynchrony, and event-driven and heterogenous nature.

This seminar-style graduate course in web engineering focuses on the state of the art in research in analysis, comprehension, debugging, and testing of web applications. Students will gain a knowledge of various research techniques in the domain by reading and reviewing scholarly papers weekly, participating in group discussions, and presenting 1-2 papers during the course. Students will also define and complete a research project, culminating in a short paper and proposal/final presentations. The course aims to develop students' critical analysis skills, enhance their ability to present technical information, and enable them to conduct independent research. By the end of the course, students will have an understanding of current challenges and methodologies in web engineering and be equipped to contribute original insights to the field.

Grading

NOTES:

A detailed grading scheme will be discussed during the first week of class.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The following are default policies in the School of Computing Science. Please check your course syllabus whether the instructor has chosen a different policy for your class, otherwise the following policies apply.

  • Students must attain an overall passing grade on the weighted average of exams in the course in order to get a D or higher.

 

  • All student requests for accommodations for their religious practices must be made in writing by the end of the first week of classes, or no later than one week after a student adds a course. After considering a request, an instructor may provide a concession or may decline to do so. Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability can contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca).

 

  • Use of AI tools by students for completing graded scholarly activities and course submissions that has not been explicitly authorized by the instructor  will be considered as plagiarism under SFU’s Code of Academic Policy (http://www.sfu.ca/policies/teaching/t10-02.htm).  Following this policy, instructors will report all instances of plagiarism to the academic integrity board.  

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.