Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

Unit Overview

Description

High performance computing is an integral part of modern scientific and engineering research. Most physical systems are explored through simulation and modelling using high performance computing tools like parallel computers. This unit introduces students to the essential tools and techniques of high performance computing. The main objectives are to introduce students to different frameworks of parallel and distributed computing that they can use in their specific areas of interest. The students learn to program multi core processors using OpenMP, and clusters of personal computers using MPI. Students examine high performance computing case studies from different scientific disciplines and also work on individual or group projects to consolidate their learning.

MapReduce is a programming paradigm for processing large data sets on clusters of computers. The implementation of MapReduce through Spark and the distributed file system HDFS has become a widely used programming model for high performance computing in the last decade. This unit will also introduce students to this programming model through lectures and laboratory exercises.

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 2UWA (Perth)Face to face
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) formulate and implement high performance computing solutions for scientific problems and large scale data processing; (2) demonstrate expertise in problem solving in parallel using distributed memory, distributed shared memory architectures and MapReduce problems , the most common frameworks for high performance computing; and (3) implement applications of high performance computing for analysing big data.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) laboratory and project related assessments and (2) final examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Professor Amitava Datta
Unit rules
Prerequisites

Enrolment in
( 62510 Master of Information Technology
or 62530 Master of Data Science

and 12 points of programming-based units )
or Enrolment in 62550 Master of Professional Engineering Software Engineering specialisation
or
Enrolment in
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) or an associated Combined Degree
and 120 Points including 12 points of programming-based units
Incompatibility
CITS3402 High Performance Computing
or SHPC4002 Advanced Computational Physics
Texts

To be advised by the School of Computer Science and Software Engineering.

  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.