Course syllabus - Parallel Systems

Objectives

With the emerging use of multi-core processors in today´s computers it is very important for software developers to understand and master different forms of parallelism. The course will cover different types of parallel programming languages, parallel algorithms, and parallel hardware, and how these concepts interact with each other. Special focus will be given on how to write parallel software which makes use of underlying parallel hardware in an efficient and scalable way.

Learning outcomes

After passing the course the student should be able to:
- Identify the inherent parallelism in a given problem and construct a suitable parallel solution.
- Write parallel programs using the programming languages covered during the course.
- Describe, reason about, and compare the parallel programming languages concepts covered during the course.
- Understand, make use of, and reason about the parallel algorithms covered during the course.
- Describe and reason about the different type of parallelism found in modern computer architectures.
- Write software that makes use of parallel hardware in an efficient and scalable way.
- Use analytical methods to make judgments of expected performance of parallel solutions.
- Use different types of performance measurements for evaluating parallel solutions.

Course content

- Concepts and measures for reasoning about parallelism.
- Parallel algorithms and algorithmic techniques.
- Different models for parallel computations.
- Different types of parallel programming languages.
- Different form of parallelism found in hardware.

Tuition

The teaching of the course will be conducted as lectures, laboratory works, and project.
Teachers will conduct the lectures, and do supervision of laboratory work and project.
The students are also expected to work independently, without supervision, for parts of the laboratory work and parts of the project. During the laboratory- and the project work the students should make use of the theories covered during the lectures.

Specific requirements

At least 15 ECTS credits programming (C, C#, C++ or Java), Data structures, algorithms and program development 7,5 ECTS credits and Computer architecture 7,5 ECTS credits or corresponding and a TOEFL test result (PBT) at least 530, TWE score 4, (iBT) at least 72, TWE score 17 or IELTS test score for academic purposes with an overall band score of minimum 5.5 and no band score below 5.0. The English test is COMPULSORY for all applicants except citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom and USA. The TOEFL code you must use is SWEDEN 9520.

Examination

Exercise, laboratory work (LAB1), 2,5 credits, marks Pass (G)
Project (PRO1), 2,5 credits, marks Pass (G)
Examination (TEN1), 2,5 credits, marks 3, 4 or 5

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Pass with distinction, Pass with credit, Pass, Fail