CS219: Web and Mobile Systems, Fall 2019Instructor: Ravi Netravali
Course OverviewWeb and mobile applications are a primary way for users to access critical services and content. In addition to traditional web pages, these end-to-end applications are now used to support a wide range of services including video streaming, video conferencing, IoT tasks, machine learning pipelines (e.g., for image/video analytics), etc. This research paper-based course will study modeling analyses that highlight the burden that applications impose on systems infrastructure, and explore the systems and networking techniques that enable these end-to-end applications to remain performant, reliable, secure, and bug-free, as they support richer and more complex tasks. Grading
Paper SummariesThis course will be largely based on research papers. Prior to each class, students will be expected to read the listed research paper(s) and write up a brief summary for each. Paper summaries should include the following components:
Paper summaries should be submitted using this form, and are due by 10pm the night before each class. Students may skip paper summaries for up to 4 papers without any penalty. Also, students presenting a paper need not submit a summary. Paper PresentationsFor each paper, one (or more, depending on enrollment) student will be expected to present the paper and lead the discussion for it. Presentations should be “conference style”, and describe the domain and relevant background for the paper, the problem statement and challenges, the solution, results, and potential limitations and improvements. Non-presenters are expected to actively participate in the post-presentation discussions. Active participation will lead to a lively discussion that will benefit everyone. ExamThe course will include an in-class exam (on Tuesday, November 19, 2019) which evaluates understanding of the core research solutions presented in the discussed papers. The exam will be short answer and open ended: students will be presented with several application scenarios, and will be tasked with 1) describing how the techniques described in the class can be used as potential solutions and 2) explaining the tradeoffs with the proposed solution. Research ProjectIn addition to paper reading, this course will also include a quarter-long research project. Students will carry out projects in groups of 2 (or more, depending on enrollment). The scope of acceptable topics is quite large–anything related to web systems or mobile apps will work. However, projects should aim high, improving a prior system or generating a new solution to a challenge, rather than re-implementing a previously proposed technique. I expect multiple projects to turn into high quality conference paper submissions. It is encouraged to begin thinking about project topics early on in the quarter by reviewing the reading list/topics, and discussing with the staff. The deliverables for the project are:
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