15-418/15-618: Parallel Computer Architecture and Programming, Fall 2026: Assignments

The assignments are the heart of this course. Much of what you learn in this course will be through completing these assignments.

  • All assignments are due 11:59pm on the due date shown.
  • The late penalty is 10% per day.
  • Each student has 5 late-day points for use during the semester. Use them wisely.
  • A one-person team can extend a programming assignment by one day using one point.
  • A two-person team can extend a programming assignment by one day using two point (either one from each student, or two from a single student).
  • You can submit assignments at most 3 days late.
  • All assignments are handed out via GitHub and turned in using Autolab and Gradescope.

Schedule

Lab  Out Name Due

Assignment 1 Friday 8/28 Exploring parallel computing   Wednesday 9/9
Early deadline (waitlisted students): Thursday 9/3
Assignment 2 Wednesday 9/9 GPU programing in CUDA Wednesday 9/23
Assignment 3 Wednesday 9/23 Parallel VLSI Wire Routing via OpenMP Wednesday 10/7
Assignment 4 Wednesday 10/7 Parallel VLSI Wire Routing via MPI Friday 10/23

Recitation Notes

Written Assignments

The purpose of the written assignments is to help you prepare for the exams.
  • Written assignments will be distributed and handed in via Canvas.
  • Written assignments are to be completed individually (not in groups).
  • Because peer grading is done anonymously, please do not put your name on your assignment writeup.
  • There is a builtin 12-hour grace period for these written assignments and this is mentioned in the handouts. No additional time will be provided.
  • There are three deadlines for each written assignment:
    • the on-time deadline for submitting your answers; and
    • the late, final deadline for submitting your answers; and
    • the only, final deadline for completing your peer grading of other written assignments.
  • To be eligible to participate in peer grading, you must submit your answers on time.
  • At the end of the final deadline to submit your answers, Canvas will assign you three randomly-chosen peers for whom you will provide grading feedback.
  • Before you begin peer grading, study the solutions to the assignments very carefully: a significant part of the learning experience for these written assignments is learning the solutions well enough to be able to grade other people's assignments effectively.
  • Use the rubric (provided in Canvas) to assign points; in addition, provide constructive written feedback.
  • To receive any credit on this assignment, you must do a reasonable job of providing this peer feedback (including both scores and written feedback).
  • Assuming that you do submit your assignment and provide your peer reviews on time, your score will be calculated as follows:
    • 1/3: submitting a reasonable set of solutions on time
    • 1/3: doing a reasonable job of peer grading others
    • 1/3: average score assigned to you by your peers

Written Assignment Schedule

Written Assignment  Out Solutions Due Peer Grading Due

Written Assignment 1 Wed. Sep 16 Mon. Sep 21 Mon. Sep 28
Written Assignment 2 Fri. Sep 18 Fri. Oct 2 Mon. Oct 19
Written Assignment 3 Mon. Oct 19 Mon. Oct 26 Fri. Oct 30