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Fundamental Concepts of HPC

Course Description

This course covers the ways that High Performance Computing (HPC) techniques can be used to address problems in Computational Science. After introducing the major scientific applications areas and basic concepts of parallel computing, it outlines the hardware design of modern HPC platforms and the parallel programming models that they support. The principal methods of measuring and characterising serial and parallel performance are then covered. The final section of the course gives an introduction to grid technologies together with an overview of the opportunities and challenges associated with the computational grid.

The course is normally delivered as an intensive two-day module using EPCC's dedicated training facilities. It is taught using a variety of methods including formal lectures, practical exercises, programming examples and informal tutorial discussions. This enables lecture material to be supported by the tutored practical sessions in order to reinforce the key concepts.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course students should be able to:

• Classify the most commonly used HPC platforms and parallel programming models.
• Measure, analyse and assess the performance of HPC programs.
• Interpret overall performance characteristics in terms of the basic hardware and software design.
• Evaluate the suitability of different HPC solutions to standard problems in Computational Science.
• Describe the potential benefits and issues of grid computing.

Pre-requisite Courses

None.

Pre-requisite Languages

No programming is required to complete the exercises, but students should be familiar with a programming language.

Contact Information

To apply for a place on this course please complete this form.

For any additional information please email HPCx support.