Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - CMPT 984 G100

Special Topics in Databases, Data Mining, Computational Biology (3)

Class Number: 5518

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

COURSE DETAILS:


This CMPT 984 is a lecture-based course. The offering is cross-listed with CMPT 454, a systems-oriented course on the design and implementation of relational database systems, the backbone of many today's data-intensive applications, like e-commerce, banking, social-network, telecom, etc. This course provides an in-depth coverage of core topics in the making of relational database systems, topics includes data storage, indexing, query optimization and transaction processing.

This course will not use Canvas. Course details like schedule, materials, requirements, etc. will be the same as CMPT 454's and be available on the course website: https://www.cs.sfu.ca/~tzwang/teaching/cmpt454-spring26

Topics

  • Data storage, indexing
  • Query processing
  • Transaction processing
  • Logging and crash recovery
  • Other related database systems topics

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
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).


Grading

NOTES:

To be discussed in the first week of class.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Reference Books

  • Database Systems: The Complete Book, Hector Garcia-Molina, Jeffrey D. Ullman, Jennifer Widom, 9780131873254, 2nd or latest Edition
  • Transaction Processing: Concepts and Techniques, Jim Gray, Andreas Reuter, 9781558601901
  • Database Management Systems, Raghu Ramekrishnan, Johannes Gehrke, McGraw-Hill, 9780072465631, 3rd Edition

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 Graduate 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).

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

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.