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Department Events & Announcements

Events

• Feb

  24

  CS Colloquium - Zechao Shang - "Thrifty Data Management"

  Department of Computer Science

  12:00 PM Room 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)

  EVENT DETAILS

  Title: Thrifty Data Management

  Abstract

  The end of Moore’s law will push database system designers to be more judicious with computation as the growth in data outpaces the availability of computational resources. Aggressively consuming resources to immediately and quickly complete the task at hand, is one source of wasted resources in modern data systems, especially when the systems expend unnecessary resources on queries or data that might change later. Building database systems that process more data by consuming the same amount of computing resources requires system re-architecture that recognizes, exploits, and integrates users’ performance goals and workload characteristics.

  In this talk, I will present our thrifty database system that aims to achieve performance goals with minimum resource consumption. I will focus on two specific components. First, I will present Predicate-Constraint, a framework that calculates guaranteed query result ranges based on a lightweight summary of data yet to be processed; thus, it saves additional computations when the data scientists accept a slightly approximated answer. Second, I will introduce Intermittent Query Processing, a new query optimization paradigm that allows database systems to reduce memory consumption when inactive without scarifying the performance. I will conclude by briefly discussing other promising directions.

  Biography

  Zechao Shang is a postdoctoral scholar working with Michael Franklin and Aaron Elmore at the University of Chicago. His research interest centers on the design and implementation of large-scale data management systems. He received his Ph.D. degree at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is the head coach of University of Chicago ICPC team.

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  TIME Monday, February 24, 2020 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

  LOCATION Room 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)    map it

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  CONTACT Pam Villalovoz    pmv@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR Department of Computer Science

• Aug

  20

  Alumni Education Webinar: McCormick School of Engineering's Strategic Vision

  McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  12:00 PM

  EVENT DETAILS

  Join us to explore the McCormick School of Engineering’s strategic vision and its vital role in advancing Northwestern’s top priorities. From groundbreaking research to transformative education, Northwestern Engineering is shaping solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges and working to advance Northwestern. During this presentation, you will learn directly from Dean Christopher Schuh on how our alumni community can come together to amplify this impact—through engagement, mentorship, philanthropy, and industry connections. Learn how your involvement can help unlock bold ideas and ensure Northwestern remains a global leader in engineering and beyond.

  Event Contact Info

  NAA Alumni Education
  alumnieducation@northwestern.edu

  Register Now

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  TIME Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

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  CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

• Sep

  8

  Welcome & Breakfast for New McCormick PhD Students

  McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  9:00 AM LR2 & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  Enjoy a welcome from Dean Christopher A. Schuh and other McCormick leaders, and receive a Northwestern Engineering T-shirt. A free light breakfast on the Tech East Plaza will follow.

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  TIME Monday, September 8, 2025 at 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

  LOCATION LR2 & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute    map it

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  CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

• Sep

  12

  New Undergraduate Fall 2025 Registration

  University Academic Calendar

  All Day

  EVENT DETAILS

  New Undergraduate Fall 2025 Registration

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  TIME Friday, September 12, 2025

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  CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

• Sep

  15

  Welcome & Luncheon for New Full-time Graduate Students

  McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  11:00 AM Ryan Auditorium & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  Enjoy a welcome from Dean Christopher A. Schuh and other McCormick leaders, and receive a Northwestern Engineering T-shirt. A free lunch on the Tech East Plaza will follow.

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  TIME Monday, September 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

  LOCATION Ryan Auditorium & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute    map it

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

• Sep

  16

  Fall Classes Begin. Change of Registration (Drop/Add) Late registration for returning students begins

  University Academic Calendar

  All Day

  EVENT DETAILS

  Fall Classes Begin. Change of Registration (Drop/Add) Late registration for returning students begins

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  TIME Tuesday, September 16, 2025

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  CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

• Sep

  25

  Bagel Thursday

  Department of Computer Science (CS)

  9:00 AM

  EVENT DETAILS

  TBA

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  TIME Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

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  CONTACT Wynante R Charles    wynante.charles@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)