Cloud computing, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The aim of the course is to prepare the students for the rapidly changing field of cloud computing, preparing them not only for the job they will have after graduation, but also the job they will have in the future. As a result, besides teaching cloud computing, the course will also teach students how to learn and stay up-to-date with theory and technology in the area of cloud computing.

The course consists of two parts:
Part 1 seminars, 4.5 credits
This part covers theoretical models and definitions as well as practical aspects of cloud computing, including the fundamentals of data centers, hardware and OS virtualization, and how to design and build applications that are scalable, robust and elastic.

Part 2, practice, 3 credits
This part depeens the knowledge acquired in the seminar part by applying it in relevant real-life situations. This part consists of a single, mandatory assignment.

Expected learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
After having completed the course the student will be able to:

• define cloud computing and show an understanding of its essential characteristics (FSR 1)
• explain how to design, build and operate a warehouse-scale computer (datacenter), and explain their importance to fuel applications' computing and storage needs (FSR 2)
• explain the principles of hardware and operating system virtualization, (FSR 3)
• understand and explain the basic building blocks of cloud operating systems  (FSR 4)

Skills and abilities
After having completed the course the student will be able to:

• design and build cloud-native applications focusing on robustness, scalability and elasticity (FSR 5)
• evaluate the suitability of each cloud service model in a given situation and give a suggestion of what model to use (FSR 6)

Values and attitudes
After having completed the course the student will be able to:

• identify and acquire knowledge that is required to complete a task within the area of cloud computing (FSR 7)
• create material to communicate up-to-date cloud technologies to non-cloud-expert computing scientists (FSR 8)

Required Knowledge

Univ: To be admitted you must have (or equivalent) 90 ECTS-credits including 60 ECTS-credits in Computing Science or 2 years of completed studies within a study programme (120 ECTS-credits). In both cases, including a course on advanced level in Distributed systems, (e.g. 5DV186).

Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper Secondary course English A/5. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

Form of instruction

The course consists of lectures and assignments. Initial lectures, where e.g. an introduction to the working method is is given, as well as the final reviewing lecture are given by the teacher(s). Other lectures are prepared by the students themselves -- one lecture for each group of students -- based on reading material provided by the teacher(s) and materials chosen by the students. Another group of students will provide feedback on the quality of these lectures. A mandatory assignment complement the theoretical knowledge with practical skills.

Examination modes

Part 1, seminars (FSR 1-8) is graded with Fail (U), Pass (3) or Pass with Mark (4), or Pass with Distinction (5). The grade will be based on the average of three assessments given for:
(a) the quality of the student's self-prepared lecture, as evaluated by the group of students who reviewed it;
(b) the constructiveness of the feedback, as evaluated by the teacher(s);
(c) the quality of the student's self-prepared lecture, as evaluated by the teacher(s).

Focus will be given to how much the student learned, both by preparing a lecture and giving feedback, and not on the "absolute" quality of either. The quality of a student's self-prepare presentation is judged based on the classical standards of critical thinking: clarity, credibility, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, significance, and fairness. Values of critical thinking will be used as a guideline, as thoroughly discussed during the first lecture given by the teacher(s).

Students who were unable to give either a lecture or feedback, or those quality of the lecture or feedback was judged insufficient will fail. If a student fail, he/she will be given the alternative to do an extra seminar at the end of the course. If there are too few students for an extra seminar, the seminar will be replaced by a written report instead. Students that fails this second exam can do their reexam during the next offering of the course.

Part 2, practice (FSR 1-8) is graded with Fail (U) or Pass (G). The practice part consists of one assignment that includes both a programming task and writing a report. The assignment is graded U/G and must be passed for the student to pass the practice part.

On the course as a whole, the grades given are Fail (U), Pass (3) or Pass with Mark (4), or Pass with Distinction (5). In order to pass the course completely all mandatory parts must be passed as well. The final grade of the course is a summary assessment of the results and decided only after all mandatory parts are passed. A student who has passed an examination may not be re-examined.

For all students who do not pass the regular examination there are additional opportunities to do the examination. A student who has taken two tests for a course or segment of a course, without passing, has the right to have another examiner appointed, unless there exist special reasons (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 6, section 22). Requests for new examiners are made to the head of the Department of Computing Science.

Examination based on this syllabus is guaranteed for two years after the first registration on the course. This applies even if the course is closed down and this syllabus ceased to be valid.

TRANSFER OF CREDITS
Students have the right to be tried on prior education or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired in the profession can be credited for the same education at Umeå University. Application for credit is submitted to the Student Services / Degree. For more information on credit transfer available at Umeå University's student web, www.student.umu.se, and the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 6). A refusal of crediting can be appealed (Higher Education chapter 12) to the University Appeals Board. This applies to the whole as part of the application for credit transfer is rejected.

Other regulations

This course may not be used towards a degree, in whole or in part, togehter with another course of similar content. If in doubt, consult the student counselors at the Department of Computing Science and / or the program director of your program.

In particular, this course can not, in whole or in part, be used in a degree together with 5DV131 Cloud computing.