HPC master design: experience from Pisa

HPC is a widely used term, often referred to the applications, architectures and programming models and tools targeting highly parallel machines such as those of the top500.org lists. Recent advances in computing hardware resources require application of HPC techniques when using much smaller machines. Indeed, proper parallel programming tools and applications are needed also to exploit parallel hardware resources in personal computers (laptops, desktops, servers). This paper outlines key challenges in designing master’s degree programs in HPC and shares lessons learned from various experiences in developing and implementing such programs in Italy and Europe.