What is the point of Parallel and Distributed Monte Carlo
Methods?
Monte Carlo methods are numerical methods that use
random numbers to compute quantities of interest. This is
normally done by creating a random variable whose expected value
is the desired quantity. One then simulates and tabulates
the random variable and uses its sample mean and variance to
construct probabilistic estimates. These methods naturally
provide many different types of parallelism, and have been used
this to their advantage for decades. We will learn about
Monte Carlo, random number generation, and the modern elements of
parallel and distributed computing in this course to develop their
own projects on this topic.
Secondary Purpose of the Course
The hope is that the process of teaching this course will produce a set of course notes that can be crafted into a good, intermediate to advanced textbook on Parallel and Distributed Monte Carlo methods. Thus, I expect to ask some things of the students that are going to be a bit out of the norm for students Computer Science class.
Meeting Time/Place
9:30AM to 10:45AM: Monday-Friday, 103
Love Building, Summer Session C (July 2-August 10)
Extra times for class presentations will be found based on
student availability
Prerequisites
This course is open to graduate and undergraduate students in Computer Science. It is also appropriate for students in Physics or Engineering that are using Monte Carlo methods in their work, as well as for Scientific Computing students.
Instructor:
Michael Mascagni, Ph.D.
Professor of Computer Science
Professor of Mathematics
Professor of Scientific Computing
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4530
E-mail: mascagni@fsu.edu
Office: Dirac Science Library 498/Love 262/Love 207A
Telephone: +1.850.644.3290
For the curious, here are links to a brief biography of the Professor, and the Professor's home page.
Office Hours:
I am usually in my 262 Love office,
and my office hours are yet to be determined.
Grading Policy:
The grade will be based on class participation and mostly a project. The project will be of the student's choosing, and will require both a written and oral presentation at the end of the term.
E-mail Policy:
All e-mail communication regarding this
course must be sent and received from an fsu.edu e-mail
address.
Warning and Encouragement:
The students are warned that by taking this course they are implicitly submitting themselves in the role of instructional "Guinea Pigs." As such, your constant input is not only permitted, but strongly encouraged. Feel free to speak up in class, to visit me in my office with your opinions and criticisms, or to e-mail me with ideas on how to improve this class. Also, if something is not clear to you in class, it is very likely unclear to others. So, students are encouraged to interrupt the lectures and ask questions and to come to see me out of class for clarification.
Academic
Honor Policy:
The Florida State University Academic Honor Policy outlines the
University’s expectations for the integrity of students’ academic
work, the procedures for resolving alleged violations of those
expectations, and the rights and responsibilities of students and
faculty members throughout the process. Students are
responsible for reading the Academic Honor Policy and for living
up to their pledge to “. . . be honest and truthful and . . . [to]
strive for personal and institutional integrity
at Florida State University.” (Florida State University
Academic Honor Policy, found at http://dof.fsu.edu/honorpolicy.htm).
Americans with Disabilities Act:
Students with disabilities needing academic accommodation should:
(1) register with and provide documentation to the Student
Disability Resource Center; and
(2) bring a letter to the instructor indicating the need for
accommodation and what type. This should be done during the
first week of class.
This syllabus and other class materials are available in
alternative format upon request:
For more information
about services available to FSU students with disabilities,
contact the:
Student Disability Resource Center
97 Woodward Avenue, South
108 Student Services Building
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4167
(850) 644-9566 (voice)
(850) 644-8504 (TDD)
sdrc@admin.fsu.edu
http://www.disabilitycenter.fsu.edu/