1. Teaching Parallel Processing Using Multicore Computers While Looking Into the Cloud
Jie Liu, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Department of Computer Science
Computer Science Division
Western Oregon University
Monmouth, OR, USA

2. This is what we what to have
This is what we have
This is what we what to have
The question is HOW

3. WOU’s Concurrent Systems Class
Is a class designed for seniors in Software Engineering track
Is coding heavy using Visual Studio 2010/2012 and C# on multi-core PCs
Covers many PDC proposed topics such as
parallel computer organizations
parallel algorithms on PRAM
parallel programming concepts
parallel sorting algorithms – especially bitonic sort

4. Our Emphasis Areas Make learning parallel processing interesting
Promote very much hands-on learning
Foster independent thinkers and encourage “thinking outside of the box”
Encourage forward looking
Discuss GPU
Discuss HPC in the Cloud
Discuss new products such as Intel's Knights Corner 3120A

5. Conclusions
Parallel processing is a very interesting area to teach because students gain new knowledge while reviewing old
Students enjoy the class very much as shown below
Question
Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Dis-agree
Strongly Disagree
1. Every CS student should take this class.
37.5 50
12.5
3. The class discussed interesting topics. 75 25
8. We should have had more programming assignments  0
9. Bitonic sort is an elegant algorithm and is very interesting
10. I am glad I have decided to take the classes
87.5