University of Colorado Boulder
High-Performance and Parallel Computing Specialization
University of Colorado Boulder

High-Performance and Parallel Computing Specialization

High-Performance and Parallel Computing. Learn to write efficient, scalable programs and optimize performance for high-performance computing.

Included with Coursera Plus

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
Advanced level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule
1 month at 10 hours a week
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
Advanced level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule
1 month at 10 hours a week
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers

Overview

  • Explain key concepts in high-performance and distributed computing, including system architecture and parallel programming models.

  • Analyze and evaluate program performance and scalability in HPC environments.

  • Apply optimization techniques such as compiler options, vectorization, and OpenMP to improve program efficiency.

  • Design and implement parallel algorithms with MPI to build scalable applications.

What’s included

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English
Recently updated!

August 2025

14 practice exercises

Advance your subject-matter expertise

  • Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
  • Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
  • Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
  • Earn a career certificate from University of Colorado Boulder

Specialization - 3 course series

What you'll learn

  • Navigate a typical Linux-based HPC environment

  • Describe the components of a high-performance distributed computing system

  • Assess the differences between serial and parallel programming

  • Estimate speedup and efficiency by generating a scaling study

Skills you'll gain

Category: Bash (Scripting Language)
Category: Linux Commands
Category: Scalability
Category: Scripting
Category: Package and Software Management
Category: Performance Tuning
Category: Command-Line Interface
Category: Distributed Computing
Category: Hardware Architecture
Category: Operating Systems
Category: Linux
Category: File Systems
Category: Programming Principles
Category: Remote Access Systems
Category: Computer Architecture

What you'll learn

  • Describe the computing and memory architecture of a supercomputing node or cloud computing instance

  • Utilize compiler and libraries to increase the performance of your program

  • Understand how to utilize vector operations of a modern microprocessor to maximize performance

  • Use OpenMP directives to improve vectorization of your programs

Skills you'll gain

Category: Command-Line Interface
Category: Numerical Analysis

What you'll learn

  • Design and implement parallel algorithms using MPI

  • Apply key communication patterns, including point-to-point, collective, and nonblocking communication

  • Improve performance through load balancing and overlapping communication with computation

  • Work with custom communicators and derived data types

Skills you'll gain

Category: Technical Communication

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructors

Thomas Hauser
University of Colorado Boulder
3 Courses18,633 learners
Shelley Knuth
University of Colorado Boulder
3 Courses18,633 learners

Offered by

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Coursera Plus

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions