Parallel and Distributed Computing

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
COMP 3030
Course ID icon
Course ID
205803
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Comp Sc & IT
Course level icon
Course level
3
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

Course overview

The aim of this course is to introduce students to key concepts in parallel and distributed computing, including the challenges faced in constructing parallel and distributed applications, as well as the differences in testing, debugging and performance evaluation within this context.

  • Parallel Programming
  • MPI
  • Interconnection Networks
  • Fundamentals of parallel program design (PCAM)
  • Performance
  • Multithreading
  • OpenMP
  • Real-world Parallel Problems
  • Efficiency and Speed-up
  • GPU computing
  • NPUs and TPUs

Course learning outcomes

  • Develop and apply knowledge of parallel and distributed computing techniques and methodologies
  • Apply design, development, and performance analysis of parallel and distributed applications
  • Use the application of fundamental Computer Science methods and algorithms in the development of parallel applications
  • Explain the design, testing, and performance analysis of a software system, and to be able to communicate that design to others

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 54266
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 120
Available
Available 120
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Aug - 21 Sep Monday 10:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering South, S112
12 Oct - 9 Nov Monday 10:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering South, S112
Class number
Class number 54271
Section
Section WS01
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 24 Sep Thursday 4:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering North, N218
15 Oct - 12 Nov Thursday 4:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering North, N218
Class number
Class number 54270
Section
Section WS02
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 22 Sep Tuesday 4:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering North, N218
13 Oct - 10 Nov Tuesday 4:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering North, N218
Class number
Class number 54269
Section
Section WS03
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 22 Sep Tuesday 11:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering North, N132
13 Oct - 10 Nov Tuesday 11:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering North, N132
Class number
Class number 54268
Section
Section WS04
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 24 Sep Thursday 4:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering North, N132
15 Oct - 12 Nov Thursday 4:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering North, N132
Class number
Class number 54267
Section
Section WS05
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 22 Sep Tuesday 11:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering North, N218
13 Oct - 10 Nov Tuesday 11:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering North, N218

Prerequisite(s)

  • Must have completed COMP2034 Computer Systems (UoA)

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • Must not have completed COMPSCI3305 Parallel and Distributed Computing at the University of Adelaide

Assumed knowledge

N/A

Textbook(s)

N/A

Inherent requirements

N/A

Other resources

N/A

Assessment

N/A

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