Parallel Computer Architecture Course | IIT Guwahati NPTEL | Prof. Hemangee Kapoor
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 469 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Computer Science and Engineering |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 26 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlock the Power of Parallel Computing: A Deep Dive into Modern Architectures
In today's data-driven world, the demand for processing vast amounts of information at incredible speeds has never been higher. From scientific simulations and big data analytics to artificial intelligence and real-time graphics, the need for speed has pushed computing beyond the limits of single processors. This is where Parallel Computer Architecture comes in – the foundational discipline that enables multiple computing elements to work simultaneously to solve a problem.
If you're a computer science student or professional looking to master this critical field, a remarkable opportunity awaits. The National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) offers a comprehensive 12-week course on Parallel Computer Architecture, taught by a distinguished expert from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati.
Meet Your Instructor: A Leader in Computer Architecture
This course is led by Prof. Hemangee K. Kapoor, a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Guwahati. With over 18 years of teaching experience at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, Prof. Kapoor brings immense expertise and clarity to complex topics.
Her academic and professional credentials are exemplary:
- Education: B.Eng. (College of Engineering, Pune), M.Tech. (IIT Bombay), Ph.D. (London South Bank University, UK).
- Research Expertise: Her research spans multicore caches, non-volatile memory technologies, network-on-chip (NoC), and accelerators for neural networks.
- Leadership: A Senior Member of IEEE and ACM, she has served as Vice President of the ACM India Council and is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Systems Architecture and IEEE Design and Test.
- Mentorship: She has guided 6 PhD and 39 M.Tech. students to completion, contributing significantly to the next generation of architects.
Learning from an instructor of this caliber, actively involved in cutting-edge research and professional bodies, provides an unparalleled educational experience.
Why is This Course Essential?
The course addresses the core challenge of modern computing: managing data and computation across multiple processing units efficiently and correctly. As Prof. Kapoor outlines, the convergence of shared memory, message passing, and data-driven computing onto common platforms like multi-core processors and compute clusters makes this knowledge indispensable.
You will learn the fundamental mechanisms for:
- Data Access & Communication: How parallel applications share and communicate data.
- Memory Hierarchy Management: Ensuring data consistency across caches in a multi-core system.
- Coordination & Synchronization: Orchestrating work between multiple cores to avoid conflicts and ensure correct program execution.
Detailed 12-Week Course Curriculum
The course is meticulously structured to build your knowledge from the ground up:
| Week | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | Foundations: Introduction to Parallel Architectures, Programming Models. |
| 3 | Memory Basics: Cache and Virtual Memory review. |
| 4-7 | Cache Coherence Core: Snooping & Directory-based protocols (MSI, MESI, Dragon), Multiprocessor design with atomic/split transaction buses. |
| 8-9 | Scalable Systems & Case Studies: Directory protocols, real-world analysis of Origin and Sequent NUMA Q systems. |
| 10-11 | Consistency & Synchronization: Sequential and relaxed memory models, LL-SC, barrier synchronization. |
| 12 | Interconnects: Topologies, routing, and flow control – the backbone of parallel systems. |
Who Should Enroll?
This course is perfectly tailored for:
- Final Year Undergraduate Students in Computer Science/Engineering.
- Postgraduate Students (M.Tech., M.S.) specializing in systems or architecture.
- Professionals in the semiconductor, hardware, or high-performance computing industries seeking to solidify their theoretical foundations.
Prerequisite: A solid understanding of basic Computer Architecture and Organization is required. Learners can prepare via the NPTEL course "Computer architecture and organization" (Course ID: 106105163).
Industry Relevance & Support
Skills in parallel architecture are in high demand across the tech industry. This course is directly relevant to roles at leading companies, including:
- Intel, AMD, IBM, NVIDIA (Processor & GPU Design)
- Micron, Samsung (Memory Technologies)
- HP (High-Performance Systems)
- And any firm working on data centers, cloud infrastructure, or embedded systems.
Key Learning Resources
The course is based on seminal textbooks in the field, ensuring you learn from the best sources:
- Parallel Computer Architecture by Culler, Singh, and Gupta.
- Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach by Hennessy and Patterson.
- Parallel Computer Organisation and Design by Dubois, Annavaram, and Stenström.
Enroll Today and Build the Future
Parallel computing is no longer a niche specialty; it is the standard paradigm for modern computing. This free NPTEL course, designed and delivered by Prof. Hemangee K. Kapoor of IIT Guwahati, offers a world-class, structured path to mastering its architectural principles.
Whether you aim to pursue research, excel in product development, or simply understand the machinery behind today's computational wonders, this 12-week journey will equip you with the critical knowledge and insights needed to thrive.
Take the next step in your technical education. Explore the course and enroll via the NPTEL portal.
For more information on Prof. Hemangee K. Kapoor, visit: https://iitg.ac.in/hemangee/
Enroll Now →