Integrating High Performance Computing into Higher Education and the Pedagogy of Cluster Computing

Despite the exponential growth in demand for advanced computational skills driven by big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, higher education institutions still face a significant shortage of dedicated course offerings pertaining to High Performance Computing (HPC). This educational deficiency not only hampers the preparedness of undergraduate students for cutting-edge postgraduate programs but also impairs their readiness to enter a dynamic workforce increasingly reliant on sophisticated computational capabilities. Integrating comprehensive HPC courses at the undergraduate level is critical for equipping students with expertise to effectively utilize modern computing technologies, and also for bridging the growing gap between academic preparation and industry demands. At Wake Forest University (WFU), we, members of the HPC Team, are actively working to address the educational gap in HPC by integrating the WFU HPC Facility[4] into higher-level elective courses across various disciplines. Recognizing the foundational importance of these skills, we have developed an introductory course specifically designed to equip students with the knowledge to excel in advanced courses, in graduate and research programs, and to meet the demands of the modern workforce. By integrating the WFU HPC Facility into our curriculum, the University is committed to pioneering a comprehensive educational pathway that empowers students to leverage the full potential of computing technologies in their future careers.