COMP8320 Multicore Computing: Principles and Practice

Offered By	Research School of Computer Science
Academic Career	Graduate Coursework
Course Subject	Computer Science
Offered in	Second Semester, 2011
Unit Value	6 units
Course Description	This course is a practical introduction to large-scale multicore computing. It covers the principles and practices of contemporary and emerging multicore computers, with an emphasis on their impact upon software engineering practice. It also has an emphasis on the state-of-the-art of research which is driving the rapid evolution of these systems.
Learning Outcomes	Students will have an understanding of the issues involved in the design of hardware and programming languages for multicore systems, and be able to employ algorithms and data structures for applications that are efficient on large-scale systems. They will be proficient in at least two programming languages used on multicore systems, and will be able to evaluate their program's reliability and scalability. Students will have an understanding of the research issues driving multicore technology, and be able to assimilate and understand the impact of current literature.
Indicative Assessment	Assignments 30%, Research Presentation 20%, Final Exam 50%
Workload	There will be one two-hour lecture per week (20 lectures in total), 4-6 two-hour tutorials (based on selected readings), and 6 two-hour practical laboratory sessions.
Course Classification(s)	AdvancedAdvanced courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide a deep understanding of contemporary issues; or 'second degree' and higher levels of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs.
Assumed Knowledge and Required Skills	Assumed knowledge is equivalent to having done the equivalent of an introductory course on computer architecture, a course on concurrency, and intermediate programming and data structure courses.
Requisite Statement	Enrolment in the Master of Computing
Recommended Courses	Assumed knowledge is equivalent to having done the equivalent of an introductory course on computer architecture, a course on concurrency, and intermediate programming and data structure courses.
Prescribed Texts	Maurice Herlihy and Nir Shavit, The Art of Multiprocessor Programming, Morgan Kaufmann, 2008. Cameron Hughes and Tracey Hughes, Professional Multicore Programming: Design and Implementation for C++ Developers, Wiley, 2008.

The information published on the Study at ANU 2011 website applies to the 2011 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2010 website.