Advanced and Research Topics in Parallel and Distributed

SUBJECT DESCRIPTION FORM
Subject title: Advanced and Research Topics in Parallel and Distributed Computing
Subject code: COMP6813
Credit value: 3
Responsible staff and department:
Jiannong Cao (COMP), Allan Wong (COMP), Hong Va Leong (COMP)
Pre-requisite: (Subject title and code no, if any)
Nil
Recommended background knowledge:
Mutual exclusions:
Knowledge in parallel and distributed computing at the undergraduate level
Nil
Learning approach:
Assessment:
Objectives:
Staff hold regular meetings with student(s), who will survey research papers, discuss
research problems, conduct analysis, and give oral/written reports. The student(s) has to
submit at least one written report, which may be a survey, or a critical analysis of existing
research results. Examination may be written or oral (in front of a panel).
Continuous Assessment 45%
Examination 55%
• To equip student with appropriate background and state-of-the-art knowledge in the
area of parallel and distributed computing research.
• To provide student with the ability to analyze and criticize research papers.
• To allow student to learn skill to consolidate and produce technical research report.

Keyword syllabus:
Topics and issues include, but not restricted to, some of the following:
• parallel and distributed algorithms
• distributed operating systems
• distributed synchronization
• fault-tolerant and dependable systems
• grid computing and cluster computing
• real-time and embedded systems
• system architectures
• programming models, languages, tools and environments
• performance modeling and evaluation
• distributed data management
• middleware
• agent technologies
• internet and web
Indicative reading list:
• ACM Computing Surveys
• Communications of the ACM
• IEEE Computer
• Journal of the ACM
• Relevant ACM Transactions: Transactions on Computer Systems
• Relevant IEEE Transactions: Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems,
Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering, Transactions on Computer
• Other relevant journals and magazines: Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing, IEEE Distributed
Systems Online, Parallel Computing, Real-time Systems
• Seminal papers in relevant conferences, including: PODC, STOC, FOCS, DISC/WDAG, ICDCS,
SPAA, IPDPS, ICPP.