Syllabus: Introduction to High-Performance Computing#
Course: IAM751/851
Website: This syllabus, the class notes, etc. will go on the Course Documentation Page
Instructor: Kai Germaschewski, kai.germaschewski@unh.edu, Morse 245E
Office Hours: Mon 2-3pm (Morse 245E)
Discord: Sign-up link
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Course Summary#
Topics include: Elementary Numerical Methods, Algorithm Development and Optimization, Parallel Programming Techniques, Distributed Processing over Multiple CPUs, Code Management and Interfacing to Fortran/C Programming Libraries, Data Visualization, Source Control.
Course Description#
This course gives an introduction into various areas of high-performance computing, providing a basis for writing and working with high-performance simulation codes.
The three main focus areas are “barely sufficient software engineering”, basics of high-performance and parallel programming, and visualization. Special topics may include a modern HPC language like Julia, specific hardware architectures, automatic code generation and performance tuning, or maybe some machine learning / deep learning / AI.
The section on software engineering will introduce basic tools and methods for writing and maintaining portable code, selecting the right language for a task at hand, and exploiting existing tools.
In the section on high-performance computing, we will review the history of HPC, future directions and how it is now necessary to use parallelism at multiple levels. Basic parallel programming models will be introduced, with a focus on learning how to use MPI.
The last section will provide an overview of some of the visualization packages available, with a focus on getting to know python/matplotlib and Visit. Other topics are possible, like GPUs or data science / machine learning.
Here is a more detailed living list of topics
Prerequisites#
Enrollment in a CEPS graduate program, MATH 753, working knowledge of a programming language (C, C++ or Fortran), or by permission of instructor.
Reading#
There is no required textbook for this class. Occasional readings assignments will be posted and particpants are expected to finish those before class time.
Here are some books that might be useful:
Writing Scientific Software – A guide to good style, by Suely Oliveira & David Stewart, Cambridge, 2006
Parallel Programming, by Barry Wilkinson and Michael Allen, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005
Parallel Programming in C with MPI and OpenMP, by Michael J. Quinn, Michelle L. Flomenhoft, Elizabeth, A. Jones, McGraw-Hill, 2003
Additional Resources:
To be added as we go / see the class notes
ChatGPT or your favorite chatbot are usually pretty helpful and knowledgable on computational topics.
Grading Policy#
Regular homework and reading assignments will be given and are expected to be completed by their due date. Late submissions may receive partial credit. Attendance and participation in class discussions and in-class exercises is required. Homework will be posted on the respective class web pages; it is your responsibility to check for new assignments.
In addition there will be two projects: one midterm project and one final project. Some projects may be divided into a number of subprojects which are expected to be finished by their individual due date, before the due date of the complete project. Some of the assignments will be designated as team efforts.
Every student registered for IAM 851 (as opposed to IAM 751) is expected to give one presentation to the rest of the class during the course of the semester. You will research one specific topic (from the area of HPC) and introduce it to the rest of the class. Ideally, you will pick your topic yourself according to your interests, in coordination with the instructor.
The final grade will be calculated as follows: Homework assignments and class participation 30%, presentation 10%, midterm project: 30%, final project: 30%
Class Policies#
Attendance#
Class attendance is important for your learning. You are responsible for all course assignments and meeting all deadlines unless exceptions are agreed upon with the instructor ahead of time. Attendance in this course is mandatory.
In the event that a student needs accommodation for a religious or cultural holiday/observance, that student is encouraged to make that request as early in the semester as possible.
Exceptional circumstances#
For a variety of reasons, there may be times this semester when you cannot make a deadline. If this happens, please contact me via email as soon as you can, let me know how long of extension you will likely need. You do not need to share any details of the circumstances with me; I want to respect your privacy.
Grade records#
You will be able to check your grades on myCourses; if you notice an error in a recorded grade, please let me know as soon as you notice the error.
Accessibility#
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (as amended, 2008), each student with a disability has the right to request services from UNH to accommodate their disability. If you are a student with a documented disability or believe you may have a disability that requires accommodations, please contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS); 227 Smith Hall, or sas.office@unh.edu.
Accommodation letters are created by SAS with the student. Please follow-up with your instructor as soon as possible to ensure timely implementation of the identified accommodations in the letter. Faculty have an obligation to respond once they receive official notice of accommodations from SAS, but are under no obligation to provide retroactive accommodations.
For more information, contact SAS: 227 Smith Hall, www.unh.edu/sas, 603.862.2607, 711 (Relay NH) or sas.office@unh.edu
Confidentiality and Mandatory Reporting of Sexual Violence or Harassment#
The University of New Hampshire and its faculty are committed to assuring a safe and productive educational environment for all students and for the university as a whole. To this end, the university requires faculty members to report to the university’s Title IX Coordinator (Bo Zaryckyj, Bo.Zaryckyj@unh.edu, 603-862-2930/1527 TTY) any incidents of sexual violence and harassment shared by students. If you wish to speak to a confidential support service provider who does not have this reporting responsibility because their discussions with clients are subject to legal privilege, you can contact the SHARPP Center for Interpersonal Violence Awareness, Prevention, and Advocacy at (603) 862-7233/TTY (800) 735-2964. For more information about what happens when you report, how the university treats your information once a report is made to the Title IX Coordinator, your rights and reporting options at UNH (including anonymous reporting options) please visit student reporting options . The uSafeUS app is also available for students to keep reporting options and resources easily accessible on their phones.
Help us improve our campus and community climate. If you have observed or experienced an incident of bias, discrimination or harassment, please report the incident by contacting the Civil Rights & Equity Office at UNH.civilrights@unh.edu or TEL # (603) 862-2930 voice/ (603) 862-1527 TTY / 7-1-1 Relay NH, or visit the CREO website. Anonymous reports may be submitted.
Credit Hour Policy#
This syllabus reflects the federal definition of a credit hour, which entails a minimum 3 hours of engaged time per week per credit over a 15-week semester. Examples of engaged time include class time, assignments, examinations, laboratories, participation in course-related experiences (attending a talk or performance, speakers and events, fieldwork, etc.), conferences, and office hours. Student work reflects intended learning outcomes and is verified through evidence of student achievement. For more information, please see: https://www.neche.org/wpcontent/uploads/2019/01/Affirmation-of-Compliance.pdf.
Integrity#
Working together on homework is encouraged. Obtaining solutions from other sources after attempting on your own is also allowed. All sources should be acknowledged.
Generally, the use of AI tools (like chatGPT or generative AI coding tools) is allowed in this class, but use of such tools in assignments / projects should be explicitly attributed in detail. It is important to consider them to be tools that may help streamline your work – however, it is still imperative that you understand what the tool did for you and can explain it – and would be able to do it yourself.
Emotional or Mental Health Distress#
Your academic success and overall mental health are very important to me. Please feel free to reach out to me (ideally, early). In addition, if, during the semester, you find you are experiencing emotional or mental health issues, please contact the University’s (PACS) (3rd floor, Smith Hall; 603-862-2090/TTY: 7-1- 1) which provides counseling appointments and other mental health services. If urgent, students may call PACS M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and schedule an urgent Same Day Appointment.
Financial Literacy Resources#
All students benefit from understanding their mindset about money, how to build and use a personal budget, as well as understanding interest rates, loans, insurance, investing, and more. UNH has wonderful free resources for students at Library Resource Guides, and every student (and faculty!) can access CA$H COURSE by creating a free account. Find more information on the Financial Wellness site of Health & Wellness.
Curtailed Operations#
If the university curtails operations due to weather, we will not hold in-person activities for our safety and the safety of others. As soon as possible, I will post an announcement on Canvas about due dates, any make-up work, and (if applicable) any online options that may make sense depending on where we are in the course. Please make sure you have access to the UNH Alert RAVE system. If needed, sign up for RAVE Alerts at https://alert.unh.edu/.
Class Recording Policy#
Class lectures and activities may be recorded in order to make this course more accessible, and recordings may be made available to students presently enrolled in the class to assist in reviewing material and preparing for assessments. Recordings are to be used for educational use/purposes only. Students may not record class activities (including screenshots showing instructors and students) without express permission from their instructor. If permission is granted, student-initiated recordings may only be used for educational purposes in this class and only during the period in which the student is enrolled in the class; authorized student-initiated recordings may not be posted or shared in any fashion outside of the class.