In today’s data-driven world, High-Performance Computing (HPC) and advanced computing are the backbone of scientific discovery, technological innovation, and industrial competitiveness. These powerful computing systems enable researchers, engineers, and businesses to solve complex problems that would be impossible with traditional computing methods.

HPC plays a critical role in fields such as engineering, climate modeling, genomics, artificial intelligence, and financial forecasting, where vast amounts of data must be processed at high speeds. By leveraging parallel processing and cutting-edge architectures, HPC allows for simulations and analyses that drive breakthroughs in medicine, aerospace, and materials science.

Advanced computing extends beyond HPC, incorporating cloud computing, big data analytics, and AI-driven methodologies to tackle challenges across industries. Whether optimizing supply chains, enhancing cybersecurity, or developing next-generation autonomous systems, advanced computing is a key compnent in an increasingly digital world.

As computing demands continue to grow, the need for skilled professionals in HPC and advanced computing has never been greater. Those who master these technologies will be at the forefront of innovation, driving solutions that shape the future of science, industry, and society.

Objectives

The master’s programme in Advanced Computing is designed for students with relevant academic training and/or professional experience in computer science, science and engineering and whose career goal is to apply computational methods to solve scientific and engineering problems.

The main aim of the course is to enable students to solve complex science and engineering problems using advanced computing techniques, while being aware of their fundamentals and of the underlying infrastructure supporting them. During the course, students will have the opportunity to develop analytical and critical thinking skills about science and engineering problems and deepen their knowledge of computing, which will be used to solve problems in various scientific areas that use modelling and simulation of complex scientific phenomena to understand and predict the behaviour of physical or natural systems.

The skills developed throughout the course will be especially valued in multidisciplinary research and development teams where the computing skills do not have a holistic view of the entire computing system. This will undoubtedly be an added value for students in the master’s programme in advanced computing and will differentiate them in the market.

Learning outcomes

The master’s programme in Advanced Computing has the following learning objectives:

  • Acquire knowledge of advanced computer architectures for High Performance Computing (HPC);
  • Acquire knowledge of parallel and distributed programming;
  • Acquire knowledge of cluster and supercomputer administration systems;
  • Acquire knowledge of security in HPC environments;
  • Acquire knowledge of data management, storage, and processing in HPC systems;
  • Understand the fundamentals of HPC;
  • Understand the scientific foundations of computing in specific areas of science and engineering training;
  • Develop critical problem-analysis skills;
  • Develop computer models to solve problems;
  • Develop skills in code optimisation and performance analysis;
  • Develop scientific simulation software and applications;
  • Develop and apply scientific visualisation techniques;
  • Develop skills in communicating scientific results effectively;
  • Integrate scientific and computational knowledge in the development of advanced computational methods;
  • Integrate emerging technologies into the development of HPC solutions;
  • Participate in research projects;
  • Develop notions of ethics, responsibility, and sustainability.