Course contents *

The course is an advanced course in parallel and distributed computations, dealing with the following subjects:

• models, fundamental concepts and analytical methods for parallel and distributed systems, fundamental limitations and impossibility results,
• algorithms and protocol for commonly occurring computational problems within communication, synchronisation, fault tolerance, coordination and consensus, replication and sharing, security, and peer-to-peer systems,
• basic knowledge of synchronization mechanisms within operating systems and programming languages (semaphores, locks, monitors) and some interest for theoretical subjects are good starting points.

Intended learning outcomes *

Having passed the course, the student should be able to:
• account for models, limitations and fundamental concepts within parallel computations with communication based both on message passing and shared memory
• analyse concrete systems and algorithms
• adapt and develop algorithms for execution on parallel and distributed machines and analyse the algorithms with respect to correctness, reliability, safety and performance.

Course Disposition

No information inserted

Specific prerequisites *

Completed courses in discrete mathematics and algorithms and complexity equivalent to SF1688/SF1630 and DD2350/DD2352/DD1352.

Recommended prerequisites

Corresponding to one of the courses DD1352 Algorithms, Data Structures and Complexity or DD2354 Algorithms and complexity.

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

M. Herlihy, N. Shavit: The art of multiprocessor programming, revised reprint 2012.

Grading scale *

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination *

• TEN2 - Oral exam, 4.5 credits, Grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• UPP1 - Seminars, assignments and labs, 3.0 credits, Grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

The examiner will decide, in consultation with KTH's coordinator for disabilities, how to adapt an examination for students with a documented disability. The examiner may utilize another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No information inserted

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

No information inserted

Examiner

Mads Dam

Course web

Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.

Offered by

EECS/Computer Science

Main field of study *

Computer Science and Engineering

Education cycle *

Second cycle

Add-on studies

No information inserted

Contact

Mads Dam, e-post: mfd@kth.se

Ethical approach *

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Supplementary information

In this course, the EECS code of honor applies, see:
http://www.kth.se/en/eecs/utbildning/hederskodex