CS 654Distributed Systems

Units: 0.50
Level: Graduate
Faculty: Mathematics
Subject: Computer Science

When it runs

Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 3 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

An introduction to distributed systems, emphasizing the multiple levels of software in such systems. Specific topics include fundamentals of data communications, network architecture and protocols, local-area networks, concurrency control in distributed systems, recovery in distributed systems, and clock synchronization. Preference will be given to CS graduate students. All others require approval from the department.

Prerequisites

None listed.

Antirequisites

Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- CS755 - System and Network Architectures and Implementation (0.50)

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
Section	Class	Enrolled	Meets
LEC 001	6672	3 / 10	TTh 13:00–14:20
LEC 002	6785	1 / 10	TTh 14:30–15:50

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
Section	Class	Enrolled	Meets
LEC 001	5559	0 / 8	MW 11:30–12:50
LEC 002	5841	0 / 8	MW 13:00–14:20
LEC 003	8502	0 / 8	MW 14:30–15:50

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

4 posts and comments in 4 threads mention CS 654, December 2020 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Spring 2024

Jul 3, 2024 Current UWaterloo MMath CS folks: Which courses did you take, what was the difficulty like and would you recommend it? 9 points, 4 comments

“Hey current UW MMath CS folks, hope your master's is going well. I am going to start my masters in CS this fall and I am hoping to get an idea of the courses other folks took, their …”

u/ac_1998: “I took CS 848, 654, 798 (multicore), 850. 800 level courses don't have final exams, only assignments and projects. 600 level courses are just 400 level undergrad courses that graduate students are allowed to take. …”

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Fall 2023

Nov 21, 2023 CS 654 2 points, 0 comments

u/Emergency-Mess6581: “Anyone taken CS 654 under Samer ? How is the course load is it manageable( assignments , final exam) as I am planning to take it as part of my Grad course.”

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Fall 2022

Sep 3, 2022 cs654 3 points, 0 comments

u/betacircle: “anyone taken cs654 before? how was the project?”

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Fall 2020

Dec 17, 2020 Does anyone know prof Mufats email? 1 point, 1 comment

u/deeznutshahagoteeem: “I need to contact him for CS 654 but I can't find him in the directory.”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Graduate Calendar, Fall 2026The official entry
Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them

Calendar versions

Graduate Calendar

Older Graduate Calendars

In 42 terms, Fall 2006 to Winter 2024