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CS 761Randomized Algorithms

Units
0.50
Level
Graduate
Faculty
Mathematics
Subject
Computer Science

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 1 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 1 lecture section. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Introduction to the design and analysis of algorithms that make use of randomization. Topics include review of basic probabiloity and introduction to randomized algorithms; game theoretic techniques; uses of Markov and Chebyshev inequalities; tail inequalities; Markov chains and random walks; algebraic techniques; data structures and graph algorithms.

Prerequisites

None listed.

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 00175900 / 24Online or by arrangement

Resources

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Reviewed on UW Flow

100% liked it0% easy100% useful

From 1 rating and 1 comment on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Best course I have taken at Waterloo so far! An extremely theoretical course that teaches you the fundamental ideas of using randomization to save time and space just with a little exchange of accuracy. The first part of the course focuses on a lot of recent research developments and ideas in randomization. The second part of the course focuses more on random walks and more classical ideas.

    Jul 2023 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

3 posts and comments in 3 threads mention CS 761, July 2018 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 2022

How often do you use content from your advanced CS courses at your SWE job? 4 points, 8 comments

“Just trying to gauge how much it would hurt me to not be able to take most of the upper year CS courses (ex. CS 240, 341, 466) as a math student looking for software jobs. …”

u/LOLWHATOMGBBQ: “Use cs761, co471, stat231 and cs450 regularly at work. Did not take distributed systems but concepts from it are also useful. I'm also in a very niche role, but I imagine for most software you don't need most of this.”

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Fall 2020

How's CS 480 with Gautam Kamath? 6 points, 5 comments

“Planning to take this over co-op since I'll probably have tons of free time.”

u/LOLWHATOMGBBQ: “I took CS 761 (in winter 2020) with him. He's a super smart guy and was really keen on getting you to take as much out of the course as you can. His research is in differential privacy so he might sprinkle a bit into it but overall good prof.”

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Spring 2018

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Graduate Calendar

Older Graduate Calendars

In 42 terms, Fall 2006 to Winter 2024