Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - CMPT 305 D100

Computer Simulation and Modelling (3)

Class Number: 5442

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Tue, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Thu, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CMPT 225, (MACM 101 or (ENSC 251 and ENSC 252)) and (STAT 270 or STAT 271), all with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

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.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is an introduction to the modelling and computer simulation of complex systems. The course includes both the theory and practice of model design, analysis, and simulation. The course focuses on the modelling and performance evaluation of computer systems and networks. Exams will cover the theory. In homework programming assignments and projects, students will model and simulate aspects of computer systems and networks.

Topics

  • Basic Concepts of Simulation, Modelling, and Performance Evaluation
  • Analytic Modelling: Queueing theory, fundamental laws, single/multiple server queues
  • Discrete Event Simulation: Event scheduling, random number and random variate generation
  • Simulation Model and Output Analysis
  • Experimental Design: Factorial designs, linear regression
  • Queueing Network Models
  • Computer System Simulation: System components, performance metrics, simulator design

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Goal: Learn practical techniques that can be used to analyze many real world problems

Learning Outcomes:

  • Evaluation techniques, performance metrics, workload analysis
  • Choosing correct performance metrics and proper statistical techniques
  • Use analytic (queueing) models to analyze performance
  • Design appropriate experiments that provide needed information
  • Design simulators for complex systems including computer systems

Grading

  • Exams 40%
  • Homework (mostly Programming) Assignments 45%
  • Project (tentative) or Extra Homework Assignment 15%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Reference Books:
Experimental Design and Analysis, Howard J. Seltman, Online, 2018, N/A, Available online at https://www.stat.cmu.edu/~hseltman/309/Book/Book.pdf

REQUIRED READING:

Quantitative System Performance: Computer System Analysis Using Queueing Network Models, Edward D. Lazowska, John Zahorjan, G. Scott Graham, Kenneth C. Sevcik, Prentice Hall, 1984
Available online at https://homes.cs.washington.edu/~lazowska/qsp/
ISBN: 9780137469758

The Art of Computer Systems Performance Analysis: Techniques for Experimental Design, Measurement, Simulation, and Modeling, R. Jain, Wiley, 1991. 
ISBN: 9780471503361

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

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 C- 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).

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.