Study information

High Performance Computing - 2024 entry

MODULE TITLEHigh Performance Computing CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEECMM461 MODULE CONVENERDr Man Luo (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 10
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

The demand for ever-increasing computational power drives the development and exploitation of high-performance computing that underpins leading edge research in computationally intensive engineering technologies fields. This module is designed to equip you with a solid foundation and useful skills in high-performance and distributed computing. In this module, you will learn about current high-performance computer architectures and how the computer architecture influences the performance of algorithms and programs. You will also develop skills in parallel algorithm design and parallel programming, and will gain experience of using a high-performance computing system.
 

Students should have some familiarity with basic C programming and the basics of differential equations and linear algebra.

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module aims to provide you with a thorough grounding in parallel programming and the architectures used in high-performance computing. After presenting the fundamental ideas and basic concepts of high-performance computing, the module outlines the architectures, components and parallel programming of high-performance computers. The module will introduce you to recent developments and future trends in architecture and algorithms in high-performance computing. 

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the fundamental ideas and issues of high-performance computing.
 
2. Demonstrate knowledge of high-performance computer architectures and how to make effective use of these architectures.
 
3. demonstrate skills in parallel processing algorithm design and the practical implementation of such algorithms;

4. demonstrate knowledge of how to quantitatively assess the performance of parallel programs;

5. demonstrate an understanding of numerical effects and the influence of floating point number representation in high-performance computing applications.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

6. understand how computer architectures can influence the performance of algorithms and programs.

7. interpret an informal requirement specification;

8. systematically analyse information and make appropriate design choices.
 

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

9. Relate reading materials to lecture content and analyse a problem.
10. Use technical manuals and books to interpret technical errors.

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

- motivation of and introduction to high-performance computing;

- parallel computer architecture: shared-memory and distributed-memory architectures, multi-core processors, Graphics Processing Unit (GPUs);

- interconnection networks in high performance computers: topologies, latency and bandwidth;

- parallel processing algorithm and programming design: domain decomposition, halo exchange, manager-worker, task-based parallelism;

- parallel programming methods: Message Passing Interface (MPI), OpenMP;

- parallel performance: speed-up, efficiency, parallel overheads and scaling;

- floating point arithmetic: floating point model, range, accuracy, exceptions.

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 32 Guided Independent Study 118 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching 22 Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching 10 Workshops
Guided independent study 80 Coursework (individual-assessed work)
Guided independent study 38 Guided independent study
     

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Weekly online quizzes 10 quizzes comprising 5-7 questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Oral feedback
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 100 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Coursework 1 40 30 hours All Written feedback
Coursework 2 40 30 hours All  Written feedback
Individual Project 20 15 hours All Written feedback

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Coursework 1 Coursework 1 All August Ref/Def Period
Coursework 2 Coursework 2 All August Ref/Def Period
Individual Project Individual Project All August Ref/Def Period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Reassessment will be by coursework in the failed or deferred element only. For referred candidates, the module mark will be capped at 50%. For deferred candidates, the module mark will be uncapped.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

 

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

 

Web based and Electronic Resources:

 

Other Resources:

 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Sterling, T., Anderson, M. and Brodowicz, M. High Performance Computing: Modern Systems and Practices 1st Elsevier 2018 978-0-12-420158-3
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Thursday 14th March 2024 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 14th March 2024
KEY WORDS SEARCH computer modelling, computer simulation, performance evaluation

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.