CS3AC16-Advanced Computing
Module Provider: School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7
Module Convenor: Dr Hong Wei
Email: h.wei@reading.ac.uk
Summary module description:
The module covers contents of distributed computing, cloud computing, and parallel computing. After introduction to distributed systems, distributed computing and cloud computing are discussed as applications; multi-core processors, such as GPU, and related parallel computing are also introduced.
Aims:
The primary aim of this module is to provide students with knowledge of some of the currently advanced computing topics, and to enable students to appreciate the role of these concepts in applications.
Assessable learning outcomes:
At the end of the module studies, students should be able to
•Conceptualise a distributed system at various levels of abstraction;
•Develop a distributed solution through design, implementation, testing and evaluation;
•Appreciate functions of cloud computing and its applications;
•Analyse multi-core processors in terms of process-scheduling;
•Implement multi-core programming.
Additional outcomes:
The student will gain experience and practical techniques in analysing and building distributed solutions and construction of distributed applications. Systematic analysis of multi-core processors and its programming skills will be developed in a lab-based practical.
Outline content:
•Core concepts of distributed computing.
•Distributed design patterns at two levels: object and process.
•Object level: remote objects, migration and replication.
•Process levels: client-server, peer-to-peer and group.
•Issues in design of distribution systems
•Parallel and distributed computing: the main and functional partitioning, message passing and performance measurement
•Cloud computing and its applications
•Multi-core processors and its programming.
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures and practical coursework.
Summative Assessment Methods:
| Method |
Percentage |
| Written exam |
70 |
| Set exercise |
30 |
Other information on summative assessment:
Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.
where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at:
http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Length of examination:
One 2-hour examination paper in May/June.
Requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall
Reassessment arrangements:
Examination only.
One 2-hour examination paper in August/September.
Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:
Last updated: 21 December 2016