Supercomputing from FutureLearn

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is designed for anyone interested in leading-edge computing technology, supercomputers or the role that computer simulation takes in modern science and engineering. All of the technical aspects will be covered at a conceptual level and there is no requirement to be able to write computer programs. However, anyone with existing programming experience will learn how programming modern supercomputers differs from programming a home PC. You can use the hashtag #FLsupercomputing to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Supercomputers: introducing supercomputing terminology and some of the largest machines in the world
Parallel computers: how they are built from hundreds of thousands of CPUs, each similar to those in a desktop PC
Parallel computing: using parallel processing to harness the power of all of those CPUs for a single calculation
Computer simulation: how we can perform virtual experiments to make real-life predictions
Case studies: how supercomputing is making scientific breakthroughs that were never possible before

Reviews summary

Supercomputing: conceptual overview & applications

According to learners, "Supercomputing" is a largely positive course that offers an accessible and engaging introduction to high-performance computing. Students praise its clear explanations and the impactful case studies that effectively illustrate real-world applications of supercomputers. The course is particularly well-suited for individuals with no prior programming experience, providing a strong conceptual overview of supercomputers, parallel computing, and simulation. While many found the lectures and overall structure to be excellent, some learners with existing programming backgrounds felt the content was too high-level or lacked practical coding examples. A few older reviews also noted that some content might be outdated in its specific examples, though more recent feedback doesn't emphasize this.

Real-world examples make complex topics relatable and inspiring.

"The case studies were particularly engaging and helped me visualize the real-world impact of supercomputing."

"I learned so much! This course demystified supercomputers, and the examples were excellent in showing their role in science."

"I particularly enjoyed understanding how computer simulation works, and the compelling case studies truly inspired me."

Provides a clear, conceptual overview for all learners, especially beginners.

"Absolutely fantastic introduction to supercomputing! I had no prior programming experience, but the concepts were explained so clearly."

"This course does a great job of breaking down complex ideas into digestible parts... It caters really well to a general audience, which I appreciated."

"I found this course foundational and it made supercomputing accessible. The instructors explain complex topics simply."

Some specific examples and visuals may feel dated to some learners.

"I found some of the content a little outdated, especially the discussion around certain hardware architectures; the examples could use a refresh."

"The visuals were sometimes hard to follow on smaller screens, and I felt it relied too much on older references, making it feel less current."

"While the core concepts are timeless, I felt the specific examples in the course might not reflect the most current state of the art in the field."

May not satisfy those seeking in-depth practical skills or advanced topics.

"I found it a bit too high-level for my needs; I was hoping for more practical application or some basic labs."

"As a programmer, while I liked the parallel computing sections, I wished there were more deep dives or coding examples to challenge me more."

"I came in hoping for practical insights into parallel programming for my job, but this was far too theoretical and basic for that purpose."

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Learners who complete Supercomputing will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Supercomputing

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Supercomputing: conceptual overview & applications

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