Explore UCD

UCD Home >

COMP47780

Academic Year 2025/2026

Cloud Computing (COMP47780)

Subject:
Computer Science
College:
Science
School:
Computer Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Professor Tahar Kechadi
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Cloud Computing (CC) is one of the key evolution steps of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It provides computing as a utility, which has emerged as a commercial reality. It typically involves over-the-Internet provision of dynamically scalable resources. In other words, CC is a style of computing in which virtualised resources are provided as a service over the Internet. Nowadays, cloud services are increasingly common technologies used by many organisations to add flexibility, efficiency, and innovation to their business. This module starts by introducing the key concepts behind Cloud Computing (distributed and parallel computing). Next, it covers the cloud computing deployment and delivery models, large-scale systems architectures, with a specific focus on some existing data stores, distributed computing and Distributed file systems (e.g., Hadoop File System, Google File System, …). Then it focuses on techniques for processing big data (the Map/Reduce model), and all the necessary programming tools that simplify the generation of Map/Reduce implementation of applications, such as Apache Pig, Hive, … Other concepts, such as security and the economics of the Cloud, will also be covered. Finally, some existing clouds such as Hadoop, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Amazon cloud (AWS) will be presented, compared.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

- Understand How the Cloud integrates technologies like Parallel or Distributed computing.
- Explain the impact of economies of scale on the Cloud, and the main security problems that influence this technology.
- Hands-on projects on the software technologies used by the majority of the cloud providers.

Indicative Module Content:

- Introduction to Cloud Computing and its services
- Technology evolution and Cloud Computing Middleware
- Distributed File Systems
- Cloud Computing delivery models
- Cloud Computing deployment models
- Large-scale computing architectures
- Programming Model -- Hadoop Map/Reduce
- Cloud Computing Security
- Mobile Cloud Computing
- Cloud Computing Challenges & research Directions

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Practical

24

Specified Learning Activities

48

Autonomous Student Learning

100

Online Learning

12

Total

208


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
- 2 lectures per week for 12 weeks
- 1 online 1-hour session per week for specific reading material, learning journal, followed by a 10 mn quiz.
- 1 Practical/Tutorial 2-hour session per week for 12 weeks
- 1 Cloud Computing project per student during the last 7 weeks of the semester.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): This is an end-semester exam. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Graded No
50
No
Practical Skills Assessment: There will be three submissions during the semester. Two practical submissions and one mini-project submission. Week 5, Week 10, Week 14 Graded No
20
No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: There will be two short continuous assessments in class. These will consist of short exercises and quizzes. Week 5, Week 11 Graded No
30
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

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

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The module combines self-assessment and group feedback strategies. The self-assessment is given for online reading material through quizzes. While the Group/class feedback is given after continuous assessment exam and practical submission.

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) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 2-12 Tues 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 2-12 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50