This course is based on the foundations set by the previous course on computer organisation. It expands particularly into all forms of concurrent programming including aspects of massively parallel programming.
This course introduces all basic mechanisms to analyse, design, and manage concurrent, single computer-node (multicore) as well as distributed applications (e.g. as performance or dependability enhancements).
Following on from the previous course, the fields of operating systems and networking will also be expanded on. On the operating system side aspects of security, scheduling algorithms and memory management are discussed. More specific networking aspects follow on from message passing as a core concurrency construct. These include the basics of routing and dependable protocols.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Model, design and program concurrent systems.
- Select appropriate modeling techniques, tools and mechanisms to solve a range of problems in concurrent and distributed systems. This includes the appropriate programming language and runtime environment for the task at hand.
- Analyse and debug concurrent programs.
- Understand the aspects of an operating system concerning scheduling, protection and memory management.
- Employ message passing locally and over networks to construct distributed systems
- Distinguish as well as connect conceptual concurrency with physical parallelism at all levels of a distributed system.
- Identify core aspects of operating systems and networks irrespective of the specific system at hand.
- Reflect critically on current concurrent and distributed systems tools and their limitations.
Other Information
Indicative Assessment
- Assignments (40) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Mid-semester test (10) [LO 2,3,4,6,7,8]
- Final exam (50) [LO 2,3,4,6,7,8]
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Workload
Thirty one-hour lectures, nine two-hour tutorials/laboratory sessions plus self study to a total of 130 hours
Inherent Requirements
None.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Textbook: Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective, Randal Bryant and David O'Halloran, 3rd edition, ISBN 978-9332573901.
Preliminary Reading
Reference: Effective C: An Introduction to Professional C Programming, Robert C. Seacord, ISBN 978-1718501041
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4980 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6360 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9217 | 22 Jul 2024 | 29 Jul 2024 | 31 Aug 2024 | 25 Oct 2024 | In Person | N/A |
