Last modified: 02 Oct 2025 16:16
This course discusses core concepts of distributed systems, such as programming with distributed objects, multiple threads of control, multi-tire client-server systems, transactions and concurrency control, distributed transactions and commit protocols, and fault-tolerant systems. The course also discusses aspects of security, such as cryptography, authentication, digital signatures and certificates, SSL etc. Weekly practical sessions cover a set of techniques for the implementation of distributed system concepts such as programming with remote object invocation, thread management and socket communication.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Carried out as groupwork. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Understanding of major issues, problems, solutions, and concepts in Distributed Systems |
| Procedural | Create | Ability to apply distributed systems concepts, techniques, and tools to creatively solve problems |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Ability to analyse and evaluate proposed distributed systems solutions in their context |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
1-hour MCQ Test (on campus) |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Reflection | Analyse | Students will demonstrate mastery of core principles and concepts of distributed systems and security management. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Students will develop the ability to think analytically and creatively about how to implement distributed systems and the ability to propose appropriate solutions by applying concepts and protocols. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
2-hour Exam (on campus) |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Understanding of major issues, problems, solutions, and concepts in Distributed Systems |
| Reflection | Analyse | Students will demonstrate mastery of core principles and concepts of distributed systems and security management. |
| Reflection | Apply | Ability to apply security protocols and concepts in the design and implementation of software systems. Ability to appropriately assess and communicate security issues of software systems. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Students will develop the ability to think analytically and creatively about how to implement distributed systems and the ability to propose appropriate solutions by applying concepts and protocols. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
1-hour MCQ Test (on campus) |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Reflection | Analyse | Students will demonstrate mastery of core principles and concepts of distributed systems and security management. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Students will develop the ability to think analytically and creatively about how to implement distributed systems and the ability to propose appropriate solutions by applying concepts and protocols. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Reflection | Evaluate | Students will develop the ability to think analytically and creatively about how to implement distributed systems and the ability to propose appropriate solutions by applying concepts and protocols. |
| Reflection | Apply | Ability to apply security protocols and concepts in the design and implementation of software systems. Ability to appropriately assess and communicate security issues of software systems. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Ability to analyse and evaluate proposed distributed systems solutions in their context |
| Procedural | Create | Ability to apply distributed systems concepts, techniques, and tools to creatively solve problems |
| Conceptual | Understand | Understanding of major issues, problems, solutions, and concepts in Distributed Systems |
| Reflection | Analyse | Students will demonstrate mastery of core principles and concepts of distributed systems and security management. |
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