Experience and Practice Teaching an Undergraduate Course on Diverse Heterogeneous Architectures

Heterogeneous computing is growing as an important hardware and software paradigm, both in high-performance computing and in application computing in general. Nevertheless, the topic is a relative newcomer to undergraduate curricula, and there is a dearth of guidance on suitable syllabi and lesson plans. The educational challenge of teaching this topic is exacerbated by the rapid pace of heterogeneous-hardware innovation and adoption, which can render parts of current textbooks obsolete. To help other educators facing these challenges, and to promote a conversation about a standardized approach toward teaching heterogeneous computing, this paper presents a case study for one semester-long class on the topic. It describes the goals, structure, challenges, and lessons learned from the introduction of a diverse heterogeneous hardware and software environment to computer science majors at Reed College, a small liberal-arts school. This paper also includes suggestions and ideas for future adoption, adaptation, and expansion of this class.