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Coursebook Description

Introduction to the organization and architecture of computer systems, including aspects of digital logic, data representation, assembly level organization, memory systems and processor architectures.
Prerequisites: CSCI 1300 and MATH 1660.
3.0 credit hours.

Topics/Course Outline:

Organization of Computer Systems
Binary Data Representation for Numbers (Integer and Real), Text, Code, etc.
The Hardware-Software Interface
Instruction Set Architecture
Programming the Processor in High-Level and Machine Languages
Virtual Memory and the Memory Organization in a Program/Process
Communicating with External Devices
Hardware Organization of the Datapath
Pipelined Datapaths and Hazards
Multi-Level Memory Hierarchy
Cache Organization and Operation
Multiprocessor Organizations

Student Learning Outcomes:

After successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

Perform arithmetic in arbitrary number systems (binary, octal, hex, etc.)
Utilize signed integer, unsigned integer, and floating point representations as appropriate
Understand how software executes on the processor hardware so as to be able to write programs in both assembly and a higher-level language, and convert between the two
Identify active processor components in the execution of an instruction and discern the intermediate values produced in a processor
Contrast sequential and pipelined processor execution, associated benefits and hazards, and fill out a pipeline cycle stage diagram
Understand the organization and tradeoffs in the various levels of the memory heirarchy, and be able to demonstrate the workings of a processor cache

Class Information:

Time:      10:00 – 10:50pm, Mon/Wed/Fri

Classroom:      Ritter 236

Website:      http://cs.slu.edu/~fritts/csci2400

Instructor: Prof. Jason Fritts

Email:
Website:	http://cs.slu.edu/~fritts
Office:	Ritter Hall 303
Office phone:	977-7001
Office hours:	Monday, 2:00‐3:00
	Wednesday, 11:30‐12:30
	Friday, 11:30‐12:30
	email me if you'd like to schedule an alternate time to meet

Textbook:

"Digital Design and Computer Architecture: ARM Edition" (1st edition), by Harris and Harris, Morgan Kaufmann, 2015.

(book's companion material)

Grading:

Midterm Exam (1 2):	15% ~~each~~
Final Exam:	20%
Assignments (7-9):	45%
Class Participation:	5%

Final grades are based on a class curve.

Late Policy: There is a 10% penalty for the first weekday late. There is a 25% penalty for up to one week late. Assignments later than one week late may not be accepted.

Note: The grading system may be adjusted as needed at the discretion of the instructor.

Attendance Policy:

While class attendance is not mandatory, attendance is strongly encouraged. Please see the course Attendance Policy for further details.

Academic Integrity:

Students are expected to adhere to the university's Academic Integrity policy.

Two particular points with regards to this class include:

Students are NOT allowed to use code or solutions from outside sources (e.g. the Internet, other students, other textbooks, etc.) unless otherwise noted.
Cooperation on assignments is allowed, even encouraged, provided that:
- students only discuss the problem, not the solution
- students may help guide each other in the process of solving the problem, BUT each student MUST turn in their own answer
- students MUST indicate who they collaborated with on their cover sheet

Disability Services Academic Accomodations:

Students with disabilities who may need academic accomodations, please contact Disability Services, as stated in the university's Disability Services Academic Accomodations statement.

Student Success:

Please contact the instructor if you need additional support for the course. Likewise, additional university-level support is available through the Student Success Center, as noted in the university's Student Success statement.

Title IX:

Saint Louis University and its faculty are committed to supporting an environment that is free of bias, discrimination, and harassment. We encourage you to report any misconduct to the instructor or university, as noted in the university's Title IX statement.

Time:	10:00 – 10:50pm, Mon/Wed/Fri
Classroom:	Ritter 236
Website:	http://cs.slu.edu/~fritts/csci2400

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