1. Parallel & Distributed Computing Fall 2008
Overview of Final Exam

2. Course Grading Comments
Approximate Weights for Course Grade
Homework %
Midterm Exam 30%
Final Exam %
Final must be given as specified in the Fall’08 Schedule of Classes
Exam is from 12:45-3:00 on Friday Dec 12.
Exam will be in same room as used for classes

3. Information to Study for Final
Class slides covering test material are very important
Slides contain some information not in text
Probably best to study these first
Assigned textbook reading material
Can use these to clarify or expand your understanding of topics covered in the slides
Homework assignments
Only homework since midterm are HW sets 3-5
Some questions from these two problem sets are possible
For example, tracing ClearSpeed or MPI/C++ code segments
Problems assigned from Chapter 2

4. Primary Topics for Final
Chapters 2-4 & 6-7 in Quinn
Slides are primary reference
Reference from textbook may be useful to clarify or extend knowledge
Three lectures by Prof. Robert Walker
In the past, Walker has created one question concerning his lectures
Slides on ATC
Ability to discuss topics covered
How ATC shows importance of SIMD

5. Primary Topics for Final (cont.)
Basic knowledge from topics covered before midterm. For example,
Some basic knowledge topics in chpt 1.
Multicomputers, multiprocessors, UMA, NUMA, etc.
Flynn’s Taxonomy Classification
Data Parallel vs Control Parallel
Associative properties that are not SIMD
Topics tested on midterm
You should study solutions to midterm questions after midterm was graded and returned.
One or more of these may be retested
Solutions to midterm are posted.
A password is required.

6. Other Comments on Final
A larger portion (e.g., 60%-75%) of the final will concern topics since the midterm.
In general, topics since midterm are likely to be tested at greater depth than earlier topics.
A more detailed list of topics to study will be posted under “Online References” on class website.