George Mason University
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
CS 475 Concurrent & Distributed Systems
Spring 2016

TR 3:00 - 4:15 pm, Room 2026 (Arts Building)

Professor Sanjeev Setia
703-993-4098
setia at gmu.edu
Course office hours: Wed 2-4 pm
Room 4300,  Nguyen (Engineering) Building

PREREQUISITES :
CS 367 (Computer Systems & Programming)

This is a programming intensive course. You need to be comfortable with programming in C and Java to be able to do the programming assignments. It is also not a good idea to take this class if your course/work schedule is already quite full.

DESCRIPTION : 

The class focusses on issues that arise in the design and implementation of concurrent and distributed applications. Course work will involve several programming assignments.

ABET COURSE OUTCOMES

• Demonstrate an ability to design and implement concurrent programs  
  
• Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts in synchronizing concurrent processes and threads by using locks, semaphores and monitors
  
• Demonstrate an ability to design and implement distributed programs using current middleware technologies
  
• Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts underlying distributed programming including message passing and remote procedure calls
  

READINGS:

Unfortunately there is no single textbook that covers all the material that will be discussed in this class. The following books are recommended (not required):

• Randal Bryant & David O'Halloran. Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective, Prentice Hall, 3rd edition (2015)
• Operating Systems: Three Easy Pieces

Class notes will also be provided as necessary. Recommendations for additional books on specific topics (Network programming, Web services, Distributed Systems) will be provided by the instructor.

The following topics will be covered:

1. Multi-threaded/Concurrent Programming
2. Distributed Systems
3. Client-Server Applications
4. Middleware technologies
   1. TCP/IP Sockets
   2. RPC/RMI
   3. Web Services (SOAP, XML)
5. Advanced topics (time permitting) - Peer to Peer Computing, Parallel Programming

GRADING:

There will be four programming assignments (two dealing with concurrent programming and two with distributed/networked applications). The software required for these projects is available on the computers in the VS&E Lab. You can also do the projects on your own computer. (The programming assignments involve programming in C or Java on a UNIX/Linux platform.)  You can do the assignments individually or in a group of two students.

65% of the course grade will be based on the programming assignments. In addition, there will be a mid-term exam in March worth 15% of the grade. The final exam will account for the remaining 20% of the grade.

LATENESS:

The late submission policy is as follows: you have five slip days that you can use during the course of the semester, but at most two slip days per assignment. An assignment is considered late by one day irrespective of whether you miss the deadline by 1 minute or up to 24 hours.

HONOR CODE:

Violations of the honor code will result in a failing grade. Click here for the CS Department's links to materials on the honor code, ethics and integrity.

CLASS NOTES:

Class notes, slides, handouts, etc. will be available at the class Blackboard page. Students can use Piazza for online discussions.

DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONS:

If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please see me and contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at 993-2474, http://ods.gmu.edu. All academic accommodations must be arranged through the ODS.

POLICY ON USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES:

Laptops, tablets, cell phones and other electronic devices are not allowed in this class. Please keep them stowed away.