CSc 522: Parallel and Distributed Computing, Fall 2019

Lectures: TR 8am-9:15am, Gould-Simpson 906

Description of Course

This course will cover a variety of advanced concepts in parallel and distributed computing. Topics will be chosen from:
  • Introduction/Getting up to speed. This will include parallel architectures, how to parallelize applications, and synchronization mechanisms.
  • Programming abstractions
  • Modeling parallel programs, including understanding system noise
  • Parallelizing compilers
  • Data distribution
  • Software and hardware distributed shared memory
  • Nonblocking synchronization
  • Peer-to-peer computing
  • Accelerators
  • Interconnection networks
  • Power in high-performance computing
  • Resilience in high-performance computing
  • State-of-the-art high-performance computer architectures

Course Objectives and Expected Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will be an expert in traditional concurrency as well as key topics in high-performance computing.

Course Prerequisite

CSc 422. We will cover some of the CSc 422 material in the first few weeks; however, most of the class will be graduate-level material.

Instructor and Contact Information

Instructor: David Lowenthal

Office: 705 Gould-Simpson
(520) 626 8282 tel
(520) 621 4632 dept

Email : dkl is my username, the cs domain at UA is the rest; you can figure it out from there.
Office Hours : Monday, 12:30pm-1:30pm and Thursday, 9:15am-11:00am; and by appointment.

Please do not hesitate to come to my office during office hours. Office hours will usually be very busy right before an assignment is due; if you start the assignments early and come to my office well before they are due, you have a better chance of avoiding the rush. Due to my busy schedule, I cannot accept drop-ins outside of office hours. I will also be available by appointment; please send me email to set one up. Please note that I may not be able to accept all requests for appointments, especially around program due dates. If you do wish to see me outside of office hours, you need to make an appointment.