Developing concurrent distributed systems
On this page
The computing systems that support any large enterprise now use concurrency and distribution. In this course, you’ll look at the theory and practice of developing such systems, and learn about the advanced use of Java – such as Java’s concurrency features and the layered approach for building large enterprise systems – using Java Enterprise Edition as a practical illustration. You’ll also examine heterogeneous and mobile systems and security. The course uses examples, from simple stand-alone systems, distributed systems with web access, and online auction systems. You should be familiar with Java 5.0, perhaps by successfully completing Putting Java to work (M257).
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Computing and ICT.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | M362 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| Examination |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.
What you will study
How is it possible that computer systems appear to be able to do many things at the same time? When working on my PC, how is it possible that I can seamlessly switch from one activity to another? How can a web server respond to huge numbers of clients simultaneously, without getting everyone’s details in a muddle?
These are the sorts of questions addressed in this course where you will study the topic of concurrency, i.e. a number of tasks in the process of being executed at the same time, and the topic of distribution such as we may find in internet applications. You’ll study the theory and practice of developing such systems, using a combination of written study materials and programming activities using Java and the NetBeans Java IDE. You will carry out practical work using the industry standard Java EE framework for large enterprise systems. This should provide a sound basis for further study, potentially leading to industry certification in this area. Occasionally we’ll ask you to do some further research by yourself.
This course will be valuable to anyone who wants to understand how concurrent distributed systems work. This is an area of software engineering that is changing rapidly, with new technologies emerging (and fashions changing) all the time, and this course will help you understand how things work ‘under the hood’. This should give you a good foundation to work from, whether you go on to be part of a team implementing and putting together such a system, or whether your role is to be able to communicate with others about such systems and to make professional judgements.
The course consists of three parts.
The first part of the course concentrates on the study of concurrency. We study the concept of a process and how processes communicate. Before you start this course, you should have a good working knowledge of Java so that you can further build on this by studying threading and Java’s concurrency mechanisms.
In the second part, you concentrate on distribution issues, and use the example of the Java Enterprise framework for large enterprise systems. Distributed systems consist of a number of different parts, each with their own functionality and their own set of problems. The course looks at the various parts and explains the techniques available for dealing with them, including Java servlets, JSP and Enterprise Java Beans. You’ll also study how the communication is organised and consider some of the security concerns that are important to distributed systems.
In the final part of the course you’ll look at how to deal with heterogeneous systems and at the .NET framework. You’ll also briefly investigate mobile systems and look at future developments that are likely to be relevant for concurrent distributed systems.
Throughout the course you’ll study the development of systems, moving from simple stand-alone systems, to distributed systems with web access, to online auction systems. You’ll work initially on very simple scenarios, progressing to more complex and realistic scenarios by the end of the course.
As you study the course, you will be using email, online forums and the World Wide Web for communication with the University, your tutor and other students.
Entry
This is a Level 3 course. Level 3 courses build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from studies at Levels 1 and 2. They are intended for students who have studied with the OU before in a related subject. You must be familiar with programming in Java (such as can be gained from studying Putting Java to work (M257)). It assumes the ability to create and amend Java applications that involve:
- interfaces and abstract classes, polymorphism, packages and access modifiers
- graphical user interface components, event handling techniques, and the use of exceptions
- the use of Java APIs, such as the Collections package.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and musical notation and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Descriptions of diagrams and figures are available. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
M362 uses the software package NetBeans which uses a graphical interface. Much of the software can instead be run from a command line although there are some practical exercises that require the ability to analyse visual information that appears on a computer screen. If you use special hardware or software you must, well before the course begins, find out whether it will work with the course software.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting Your Needs.
You can also find information about accessible study materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
Course texts, other printed materials, course software (including NetBeans) on CD-ROM, a website, online forums.
You will need
You require internet access at least once a week during the course to download course resources and assignments, submit assignments and keep up to date with course news.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running Windows using Boot Camp or similar dual-boot system.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Professional recognition
This course may help you to gain recognition from a professional body. You can view or download our Recognition leaflets 3.3 Professional Engineering Institutions and 3.7 Computing for further information.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2013. We expect it to be available once a year.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Computing and ICT.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | M362 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| Examination |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Student Reviews
M362 was my first level 3 course in computing. Compared to Level 2 courses, it is really a big step ...
Read more
Fantastic course. Wish more OU courses were like this one. ...
Read more
Course satisfaction survey
See the satisfaction survey results for this course.
Your questions
We may have already answered it in our frequently asked questions.
Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35
Browse the prospectus
Get a prospectus
Download or
order
Share
This PageThe University wishes to emphasise that, while every effort is made to regularly update this site, the material on it is subject to alteration or amendment in the light of changes in regulations or in policy or of financial or other necessity.