Course Outline - CSci4125 HPC: Programming for Performance

Official Course Description
This course explores the design, implementation, and evaluation of computer programs for applications in which performance is a central issue.  In the sequential and multi-core settings, it explores topics such as profiling, cache effects, I/O performance, floating-point issues, multi-threading, and performance tuning techniques. It introduces techniques for the design, implementation and evaluation of programs for Multicore processors, Shared-Memory Multiprocessors (SMPs) and Distributed Memory Multicomputers (Clusters).

Marking
Assignments 30% (3)
Seminar 20%
Final Project 40%
Participation 10%

Note: Grading scheme subject to change at any time. When submitting your assignment please maintain a copy for your records. Please maintain all marked work until after the course has finished. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS ACCEPTED WITHOUT A DOCTORS NOTE. 

Collaboration
It is a good idea to form informal study groups. Talk to your friends, but code your own programs. Acknowledge all collaborators and any other sources. Plagiarism and other anti-intellectual behavior will be dealt with severely. ALL CASES OF SUSPECTED PLAGIARISM WILL BE IMMEDIATELY HANDED OVER THE UNIVERSITY'S SENATE DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE. Please read the university policy on intellectual honesty  (http://www.registrar.dal.ca/calendar/front/ureg.htm#10) and for more information and resources see the Dalhousie Plagiarism page (http://plagiarism.dal.ca/).

The Lectures
The course consists of approximately 20 lectures. Lecture attendance not required, but historically non-attendance = poor grade. Attendance and participation will be used when considering how to handle grade cusp situations.

Student Accomodation
Students may request accommodation as a result of barriers related to disability, religious obligation, or any characteristic under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act. Students who require academic accommodation for either classroom participation or the writing of tests and exams should make their request to the Advising and Access Services Center (AASC) prior to or at the outset of the regular academic year. Please visit www.dal.ca/access for more information and to obtain the Request for Accommodation – Form A. A note taker may be required as part of a student’s accommodation. There is an honorarium of $75/course/term (with some exceptions). If you are interested, please contact AASC at 494-2836 for more information.

All class assignment and other materials will be provided on the course web site at
http://www.cs.dal.ca/~arc/teaching/CS4125

NOTE: No further materials will be provided in paper form.