Education: Integrating Parallel and Distributed Computing in Computer Science Curricula

Computer science curricula must represent today’s computing reality by focusing on parallel and distributed computing (rather than single-processor computing). Educators should incorporate elements of parallel and distributed computing into their courses from the beginning to help students consider what multiprocessor machines and Internet resources they can use to solve computational problems.

Our Initial Proposal

Obviously, that's easier said than done. The suggestion of introducing something new to the curriculum typically receives one of two responses: •

University departments create a new course and add it to the electives list. Depending on the faculty's availability and willingness, a department offers such a course from time to time.

•

University departments can't find space for another course. This is especially the case when such a course doesn't have a champion-a person who ensures that the department will actually offer, for example, Parallel and Distributed Computing.