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COMP30250

Academic Year 2026/2027

Parallel Computing (COMP30250)

Subject:
Computer Science
College:
Science
School:
Computer Science
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Alexey Lastovetsky
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Nowadays, parallel architectures are not only used for high performance computing. The advent of multicore processors, which can be found in all modern desktops, laptops, mobile and embedded devices, has turned parallel architectures into the mainstream architecture for commodity computing. Correspondingly, parallel programming paradigm is becoming the predominant one in the main stream programming practice.

The module introduces into parallel programming. It covers the following main topics:

-Vector and superscalar processors: architecture and programming model, optimizing compilers (dependency analysis and code generation), array libraries (BLAS), parallel languages (Fortran 90).

- Shared-memory multi-processors and multicore CPUs: architecture and programming models, optimizing compilers, thread libraries (Pthreads), parallel languages (OpenMP).

- Distributed-memory multi-processors: architecture and programming model, performance models, message-passing libraries (MPI), parallel languages (HPF).

- Hybrid parallel programming for clusters of mutlicore CPUs with MPI+OpenMP.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

- Understand parallel programming paradigm and orient yourself in parallel computing technologies

- Write and experiment with parallel programs using MPI, OpenMP and Pthreads, and MPI+OpenMP

- Use parallel libraries

Indicative Module Content:

-Vector and superscalar processors: architecture and programming model, optimizing compilers (dependency analysis and code generation), array libraries (BLAS), parallel languages (Fortran 90).

- Shared-memory multi-processors and multicore CPUs: architecture and programming models, optimizing compilers, thread libraries (Pthreads), parallel languages (OpenMP).

- Distributed-memory multi-processors: architecture and programming model, performance models, message-passing libraries (MPI), parallel languages (HPF).

- Hybrid parallel programming for clusters of mutlicore CPUs with MPI+OpenMP.

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

12
Practical

12
Autonomous Student Learning

72
Total

120

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Each topic will be covered at lectures. During lab sessions students will work on individual practical assignments under the guidance of the TA and demonstrators. Practical assignments will require development and implementation of parallel programs, conducting experiments and writing reports.

By default, students are not permitted to use generative AI tools in assignments. If students are permitted to use generative AI tools in assignments, that will be explicitly indicated in the assignment specification.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Students taking this course should have already successfully completed an introductory C programming course. Familiarity with the material covered by COMP20200 Unix Programming would be beneficial.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Three programming assignments. Week 7, Week 10, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Exam (In-person): Final written examination. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
70
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Assignments' marks are released to the students with comments. Questions (if any) regarding the marks can be directed to TA individually.

A. Lastovetsky, Parallel computing on heterogeneous networks. Wiley, 2003.

Name Role
Dr Hamidreza Khaleghzadeh Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Fri 16:00 - 16:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 6 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 1 Tues 15:00 - 16:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 2-12 Tues 15:00 - 16:50
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