Key facts
UNE unit code: COSC330
*You are viewing the 2025 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 2 - On Campus
- Trimester 2 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information
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Parallel and distributed computing platforms are vital to high performance computing systems as they underpin large-scale computation. Being able to develop parallelisation strategies for complex processing tasks is a key skill for computer science, engineering and mathematical modelling.
Providing in-depth coverage of software development algorithms and principles, you will be equipped to work with UNIX-based parallel and distributed computer systems.
These include UNIX processes, development of multi-threaded software and the use of system calls to manage synchronisation and inter-process communication.
Exploring principles of shared resources and mutual exclusion, you will analyse implementation strategies for developing multi-threaded and multi-process software for high-performance computation.
Constructing distributed software using Message Passing Interface (MPI), you will also write programs harnessing the computing power of graphics processing hardware.
This unit provides remote access to a range of specialised hardware for you to complete your studies.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
Teaching period | Mode/location |
---|---|
Trimester 2 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
Trimester 2 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
COSC330 requires a knowledge of and programming experience with a high-level language. Experience with the use of the Linux/UNIX operating system is highly recommended.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
![profile photo of David Paul](https://www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/image/0006/101211/varieties/69x77.jpg)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- explain the fundamental paradigms of modern concurrent and parallel programming using appropriate terminology;
- analyse a given application or problem and implement a parallelisation strategy for a given parallel or distributed platform;
- develop software for parallel or distribute architectures; and
- evaluate parallel processing algorithms for speed, efficiency, and select appropriate approaches for different situations and requirements.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Assessment 1 | Yes | 10% | All offerings | Programming in C programming language. An overall mark of 50% in all assessment tasks is required to pass the unit. |
Assessment 2 | Yes | 10% | All offerings | Programming in C programming language. An overall mark of 50% in all assessment tasks is required to pass the unit. |
Assessment 3 | Yes | 10% | All offerings | Programming in C programming language. An overall mark of 50% in all assessment tasks is required to pass the unit. |
Assessment 4 | Yes | 10% | All offerings | Programming in C programming language. An overall mark of 50% in all assessment tasks is required to pass the unit. |
Final Examination | Yes | 60% | All offerings | Open Book Examination. It is mandatory to pass this component in order to pass this unit. Note: An overall mark of 50% in all assessment tasks is required to pass the unit. No. of words: 2000 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Advanced Programming in the UNIX Environment
ISBN: 9780321637734
Stevens, W.R. and Rago, S.A., Addison-Wesley 3rd ed. 2013
Text refers to: All offerings
Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library — purchase is optional.
An Introduction to Parallel Programming
ISBN: 9780128046050
Pacheco, P., Elsevier 2nd ed. 2021
Text refers to: All offerings
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