ACS Multi-Core Computing: The University of Manchester

Course description
Microprocessor manufacturers have recently presented the software industry with its most serious challenge ever, by switching from serial execution architectures clocked at ever-increasing clock rates to ever-more parallel multi-core architectures clocked at a constant (or even decreasing) clock rate. The consequences will be profound because concurrent computational activities will need to be handled as the norm, rather than the exception; programmers of the future will need skills that are currently possessed by very few, due to the inherent complexities of concurrent systems.
This pathway is centred round a core Concurrency theme that introduces students to the aforementioned complexities, and provides techniques and tools that can alleviate the ensuing problems of correctness, reliability, performance and system management. Subsidiary themes allow students to investigate broader areas in which they might apply their newly learned skills.
Career opportunities
Students following the Multi-Core Computing pathway have all the career options as described for general Advanced Computer Science.
In addition, students following this pathway are well placed for careers in the software industry since they will acquire the necessary skills to design and develop software that makes the most out of state-of-the-art multi-core architectures.  This includes the games industry, the financial sector, and all other areas in which high performance computing is key.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification:
Theyrequire a First or Upper Second class honours degree, or the overseas equivalent, in computer science, or in a joint degree with at least 50% computer science content. Applicants with extensive computer science industrial experience and a good honours degree, or its overseas equivalent, may also be considered for admission.
English language requirements:
All students are required to be proficient in spoken and written English. In order to be accepted onto an MSc programme in the School of Computer Science applicants need to provide evidence of having achieved the required level in one of the following english language qualifications:
IELTS score of 6.5 minimum (writing 6)
Internet based TOEFL 100 with 24 in writing
Computer Based TOEFL 250 with 5 in TWE
Cambridge Proficiency Grade 'C'