OMSCS Seminar: Impact of Computing at Scale-Design, Operation and Societal Impacts of Data Centers

  • Overview
  • Course Content
  • Requirements & Materials
Overview

OMSCS Seminar: Impact of Computing at Scale-Design, Operation and Societal Impacts of Data Centers

Course Description

This seminar explores how modern data centers are designed, operated, and embedded in broader societal and environmental systems. Students gain a systems-level view of hyperscale architectures, including heterogeneous node composition, scale-out, GPU networking, and advanced cooling technologies. Weekly discussions draw on case studies and recent research to examine energy and water demand, performance metrics and benchmarks, and the interplay between data centers and the energy grid. Designed for students with basic computer architecture knowledge, this course emphasizes systems thinking and critical reflection on the tradeoffs and value of computing at scale.

Course Content
  • Foundations of Computing at Scale
  • Multi-Node and GPU-Centric Architectures
  • Scale-Out Networking
  • Cooling and Thermal Management
  • Resource Consumption and Environmental Footprint
  • Real-World Constraints
  • Ethics and the Future of Scaling
Requirements & Materials

Prerequisites

RECOMMENDED:

  •  Basic understanding of computer science

REQUIRED:

  • Familiarity with graphics processing units (GPUs)

Materials

REQUIRED (Student must provide):

  • Reliable internet and access to a computer with a code editor.

PROVIDED (Student will receive):

  • All content is available in Canvas.

Session Details

Who Should Attend

This seminar is designed for OMSCS students and alumni with broad interests, including programmers, system architects, AI practitioners, and anyone wanting to explore the design and societal impacts of large-scale computing. 

Computer science students coding on computers

What You Will Learn

  • An introduction to the architectural and operational design of modern data center systems
  • Recent innovations and challenges in data center networking and cooling
  • Resource demands (e.g. power and water) of large-scale computing
  • Broader societal, ethical, and environmental impacts of computing
  • Personal and societal values in relation to the utility and scale of computing technologies
Female professional in computer science lab looking at tablet

How You Will Benefit

  • Understand data center design from silicon to cooling to energy grid integration.
  • Develop fluency in the language and metrics used by hyperscalers, utilities, and regulators.
  • Learn to evaluate computing systems based on energy use, thermal management, and societal tradeoffs.
  • Reflect on personal and industry responsibility in scaling computing.
  • Grow Your Professional Network icon
    Grow Your Professional Network
  • Taught by Experts in the Field icon
    Taught by Experts in the Field

TRAIN AT YOUR LOCATION

We enable employers to provide specialized, on-location training on their own timetables. Our world-renowned experts can create unique content that meets your employees' specific needs. We also have the ability to deliver courses via web conferencing or on-demand online videos. For 15 or more students, it is more cost-effective for us to come to you.

  • Save Money
  • Flexible Schedule
  • Group Training
  • Customize Content
  • On-Site Training
  • Earn a Certificate
Learn More

Want to learn more about this course?