Course Description: Introduction to computer system organization
including performance, assembly language, machine-level data representation,
arithmetic for computers, processor data path control, memory, and
input/output.
Course Goal and Objectives: In this course we will address the following
questions: “How do computers work?", and "How do I design a
computer?" This course will provide a student with a thorough
understanding of the computer operations such as computer arithmetic, and
processor data path and control. Building on this, the student will acquire a
basic understanding of the architectural characteristics of modern computer
systems, including pipelined designs.
Prerequisites:
CS 110, Computer Programming II (or equivalent)
Course Page:
http://www.cs.uvm.edu/~aarslan/teaching/cs121/spring09/home.html
Instructor: Abdullah
Arslan
·
E-mail: (aarslan@cs.uvm.edu)
·
Office: Votey 317
·
Phone: X62538
·
Office
hours: TR 2:30-4pm
The Teaching Assistant: Sasi Sekhar Kunta
·
E-mail: Sasi-Sekhar.Kunta@uvm.edu
·
Office:
Computer Lab 369
·
Office hours:
Wed 11am-12noon, Fri 1-2pm
Text book: Computer
Organization and Design, The Hardware/Software Interface : (FOURTH
EDITION) by Patterson and Hennessy, Elsevier 2008.(CD bundled with the
textbook) (THIRD EDITION is also
fine for this course)
Links to the Lecture Slides:
·
1:
Computer Abstractions and Technology (Chapter 1)
·
2: Instructions:
Language of the Computer (Chapter 2)
·
3: Arithmetic
for Computers (Chapter 3)
·
4: Performance
(Chapter 4 in the 3rd Edition)
·
5: The
Processor (Chapter 4)
·
6: Pipelining
(Chapter 4, Chapter 5 in the 3rd Edition)
Assemblers and Simulators (you can use either):
·
PCSPIM: See an
example PCSPIM
settings that work
·
MARS
A sample
MIPS program: It copies a string
to another location. It is a simple example that introduces you some key syntax
of a typical MIPS assembly program. Feel free to copy and use it to develop
your first MIPS program
Grade Distribution, Exam Information, and Links to
Assignments:
|
Written Assignments (simple
datapath and control that you can use in your assignments) Programming
Assignments |
%35 |
|
2 In-Class Exams: Exam 1 ( study
guide ) : March 5, 2009 lecture time and place Exam 2 (study
guide, see also a sample
question ) : April 23, 2009 lecture time and place |
%35 |
|
Final Exam May 4, 2009 |
%30 |
CLASS POLICY
·
Late assignments will not be accepted normally because the solutions will be discussed
on a timely manner. However, if you think that you really need extension
because of exceptional reasons such as medical or family problems, please
request for extensions before due dates.
· Keeping Informed: All assignments, projects and changes to the course material will be
announced on this web page. It is your responsibility to monitor it on a
regular basis.
· Academic Honesty: In regular assignments, you may discuss the problems to gain better
understanding and more insight into the problems but the specifics related to
work on which you are evaluated must be done by yourself. Plagiarism will not
be tolerated.
· Special needs.
If you are entitled to extra accommodation for any reason (such as a
disability), we will make every reasonable attempt to accommodate you. However,
it is your responsibility to discuss this with the instructor at the
beginning of the course.
Announcements
|
Apr. 7. |
A reminder note was
e-mailed to the entire class. Links to Written Assignment 3 and Programming
Assignment 3 are provided. HW3 is due April 14, at the beginning of the
lecture. Programming Assignment 3 is due April 24, midnight. Exam 2 will be on April 23,
lecture time and place. Final Exam is on May 4. |
|
Apr. 7 |
Written Assignment 3 and
Program 3 are posted. Please find the links to them in the above table. |
|
Mar. 20 |
Programming Assignment 2 is
posted. |
|
Feb. 27 |
Solutions to HW2 are
posted. |
|
Feb. 23 |
A reminder note was
e-mailed to the entire class. Links to HW1 solutions, HW2 are provided. HW2
is due Thursday, Feb. 26. We discussed and set Exam 1 date to Thursday, March
5. |
|
Feb. 23 |
Solutions to HW1 are
posted. Written Assignment HW2 is posted. Find them in the above table. This
homework was also distributed in class on Feb. 19. |
|
Feb. 12 |
Written Assignment HW1 and
Programming Assignment 1 are posted. Find them in the above table. |
Last Modification: April
14, 2009.
