Courses & Units
Multicore Architecture and Programming KIT308
Hobart, Launceston
Introduction
This unit exposes students to historical approaches to increased processor efficiency, such as pipelining and superscalar design, before concentrating on a key concept of modern computer architectures: multicores. Both CPU and GPU architectures will be explored in this context and likely future hardware trends will be discussed.
Students will learn the concepts and techniques for writing CPU multithreaded programs via the use of threading and synchronisation primitives as well as techniques for general-purpose GPU programming (GPGPU).
A major focus of this unit is real world optimisation. Students will be exposed to data-oriented design approaches, revisit the concepts of Big-O efficiency and OO, and will get practical experience at profiling code. Additionally, students will learn lower-level programming techniques such as single-instruction multiple-data (SIMD) instructions, branch removal, and loop unrolling.
Summary
| Unit name | Multicore Architecture and Programming |
|---|---|
| Unit code | KIT308 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | College of Sciences and Engineering School of Information and Communication Technology |
| Discipline | Information & Communication Technology |
| Coordinator | Doctor Ian Lewis |
| Available as an elective? | |
| Delivered By | Delivered wholly by the provider |
| Level | Advanced |
Availability
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | On-Campus | International | Domestic | |
| Launceston | Semester 2 | On-Campus | International | Domestic | |
Key
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Key Dates
| Study Period | Start date | Census date | WW date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 | 12/7/2021 | 10/8/2021 | 30/8/2021 | 17/10/2021 |
* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).
Unit census dates currently displaying for 2021 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2021 will be available from the 1st October 2020. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).
Learning Outcomes
- understand the concepts of high performance computer architecture and analyze the local and global impact of these technologies on individuals, organizations, and society
- design, implement, and evaluate techniques for the creation of efficient multicore CPU programs
- design, implement, and evaluate techniques for the creation of efficient GPU programs
- analyze a problem, identify and define the requirements, apply knowledge of high performace programming principles and technical skills to develop and evaluate strengths and weaknesses of potential solutions
- take initiative and work independently
- communicate effectively at a professional level
- use abstraction and computational, creative and critical thinking to problem solve
- continue lifelong learning
Fee Information
| Field of Education | Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 | Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 | Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 | Domestic Full Fee 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 029999 | $993.00 | $993.00 | not applicable | $2,402.00 |
- Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
- HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
- FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4
1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.
If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.
Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.
Requisites
Prerequisites
KIT205 OR KIT206 OR (KIT207 AND KIT208)Teaching
| Teaching Pattern | Lectures: 2 - 4 hours / week |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Examination (40%)|Multicore CPU Programming Assignment (15%)|In-Tutorial Assessment (15%)|CPU Optimisation Programming Assignment (15%)|GPU Programming Assignment (15%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
N/A |
|---|---|
| Recommended | N/A | Links | Booktopia textbook finder |
The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.