CSCI 461: Computer Architectures
Syllabus
| Title: | CSCI 461 "Computer Architectures" University of Wisconsin - Superior, Spring 2024 | ||||
| Mode of delivery: | on campus | ||||
| Meeting: | MTW F, 9:00 - 9:50am in SW1017 | ||||
| Text: | Recommended: Computer Systems, Design and Architecture (2nd Ed.) by V. Heuring and H. Jordan (ISBN: 0-13-048440-7) | ||||
| Prerequisites: | CSCI 224 "Assembly Language Programming" | ||||
| Instructor: | Dr. Sergei Bezroukov | Office: Swenson 3022 | Schedule and Office hours | ||
| Tel.: (715) 394-8523 | E-mail: sbezruko@uwsuper.edu | ||||
Catalog Description
In depth study of fundamentals of computer hardware organization. Topics include: digital logic and circuits; hardware optimization principles; finite state machines; computer arithmetic, machine instructions and assembly language; pipeline design, parallelism and micro-programming; memory management and design; storage system design; I/O modules, operating system support; structure and function of computer processors, RISC vs. CISC architecture.
Learning Objectives
Provide a general understanding of the following aspects of computer organization:
- machine-specific instruction encoding
- relationship between internal computer organization and implementation of basic computer instructions
- hardware implementation of various computer units
- time and speed related topics
Course Outcomes
- General understanding of how the computers work.
- Understanding of meaning and influence of various computer parameters.
- Present modern computer architectures.
- Design various computer modules to understand their functionality.
Experiential Learning
In this course, experiential learning will occur in Units 2 - 7 with assignments devoted to various aspects of computer architecture design.
Notes
The course outline contains hyperlinks to slides that are based on the book Computer Systems, Design and Architecture by V. Heuring and H. Jordan. The slides are provided by the authors and editors and are in the Adobe Acrobat PDF format. You might need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them.
Evaluation and Grading
- Scores and grade
- The final grade for the course depends on the averaged score for home work assignments (this score is denoted by hw), scores for two midterm exams (denoted by ex1 and ex2), score for the final exam (ex3), and some amount of bonus points.
- The total score will be computed according to the formula:
total score = (25*hw + 25*ex1 + 25*ex2 + 25*ex3) / 100 + bonus
- The total score will be translated into the final grade according to
the following table:
A : 93 - 96 A- : 90 - 92 B+ : 87 - 89 B : 83 - 86 B- : 80 - 82 C+ : 77 - 79 C : 73 - 76 C- : 70 - 72 D+ : 67 - 69 D : 63 - 66 D- : 60 - 62 F : 0 - 59
- Assignments (25%)
Take home exercises will be regularly assigned, collected, graded and returned. The students are allowed to discuss the problems in groups, however writings must be done strictly individually. Returning identical work is qualified as cheating (see below).- Maximum score for each assignment is 100 points.
- If hw1, hw2, ... ,
hw9 are the scores for these assignments (each number
in the range 0 to 100), then the total score for the assignments is the
average of these scores, that is
hw = (hw1 + hw2 + ... + hw9) / 9rounded off to the nearest integer from above.
- Midterm exams (two of them, each worth 25%)
One exam will be given after 3-5 weeks of the beginning of the course, and another one will be given about 2-4 weeks before the end of the course. The maximum score for each midterm exam is 100 points.- The first exam covers the material from the first part of the course.
- The second exam emphasizes on the material covered after the first exam.
- The midterm exams, including possible take-home parts, must be done strictly individually, so no collective solutions or discussions are allowed.
- No late submission of the take-home part (if assigned) is accepted.
- Final exam (25%)
Date/time in Final Examination Schedule. The maximum score for the final exam is 100 points.- The final exam is comprehensive. So, any course content from the entire semester is fair game.
- The final exam must be done strictly individually, so no collective solutions or discussions are allowed.
- No late submission of the take-home part (if assigned) is accepted.
- Bonus points (0-6)
Bonus points will be issued during the last week of classes for:- participation in course related discussions in class (0-2 points)
- quality and completeness of homeworks (0-2 points)
- overall progress in class (0-2 points)
Class Policies
- Instructor retains the right to make any and all deletions, additions and changes to the requirements or structure of the course and its materials as deemed necessary.
- No class work is accepted after the Final Exam.
- Problems in late homework assignments are accepted within two days after the assignment was due. In this case a student will be penalized on 10 points per assignment. However, if a solution to a problem is discussed in class or posted online, no late solution to this problem will be accepted after this. A submission is qualified as late if it is returned after the specified date and time.
- Representing someone else's work as your own without referencing or
permitting another student to do so with your work is cheating.
Cheating might result in administrative actions described in UWS14.03 UW-System Administrative Code Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures. - A make up of an exam is allowed if an unavoidable absence occurs. A reason for absence must be documented.
- Students are required to check with the instructor if they find some of these rules unclear, before taking an action.
Attendance and absences
- Students are expected to attend all class periods regardless of modality except in the case of illness such as COVID-19 or other illness that causes poor physical health and precludes you from attending in-person or online. Care-giving such as caring for a child or a family member with COVID-19 is also an acceptable reason for your absence.
- If you are absent from a class period for either an on-campus course or a synchronous online course it is your responsibility to contact and communicate with your instructor for any missed periods or resulting delays on classwork. Contact your instructor before you are absent if possible. You will not need a formal doctor's note to excuse an absence caused by illness or caregiving for COVID-19 in this course.
- If you are absent from classes for reasons related to illness or caregiving and have notified your instructor, you will not be penalized through grades, missing points, or be deprived of the chance to make-up assignments. But you must still work with your instructor to make up any missed work - either in-class or out-of-class - within the timeframe designated by the instructor.
- Students who are not ill, but are in quarantine and/or isolation during testing wait periods due to COVID-19 exposure should attend class online or complete substitute activities at the direction of the instructor.
Generative AI Use Policy
Generative artificial intelligence (AI), including ChatGPT or similar tools used for creating text, images, computer code, audio, or other media, are not permitted for use in any work in this class. Using these tools in any way for this course is a violation of course expectations and will be addressed through UW-Superior's academic misconduct policy. If you are in doubt as to whether you are using a tool appropriately in this course, I encourage you to discuss your situation with me.
Suggestions for Success in Class
- Do not miss classes. The class discussions emphasize on many particular aspects, a good number of them is not in the textbook or spread out over several chapters in the book so that it might be difficult to find them. These details may be very helpful for your work on the assignments.
- Ask right away in class or after the class if something is not clear.
- Read in the books the topics that are covered in class on the same day after the class. Just working on the material during the class hours is far from being enough. It is expected that a student would spend at least 2 hours in average working through the material after each class.
- Prepare yourself for the next class. That is, read in advance the material to be explained in class. Refer to the Course Outline to figure out what will be covered (it will also be announced at the end of each class). It would be much easier for you then to follow the discussion in class. In addition you would know what to pay a particular attention on and what questions to ask.
- Come to the instructor's office hours (or make a special appointment) and do not let the unclear stuff to accumulate.
- Try to find time to solve as many problems as possible (even more than it is assigned). Solving the problems is the only way to learn how to solve them.
UNIVERSITY INFORMATION
Diversity and Inclusion at UW-Superior
Diversity and inclusion is integral to the educational mission of the University of Wisconsin-Superior. As a community we commit to recognize, include and value inherent worth and dignity of each person; foster tolerance, sensitivity, understanding, mutual respect, and justice among its members; and encourages each individual to strive to reach their own potential. The institution recognizes these experiences are crucial for developing the requisite skills to thrive as a member of a pluralistic society and as a responsible global citizen.
In pursuit of its goal of inclusive excellence, the University actively seeks to attract students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, including but are not limited to: race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic background, cognitive ability, physical ability, religion and spirituality, value system, national origin, immigration or refugee status, veteran status, and political beliefs.
The University believes that diversity among its members strengthens the institution, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches campus life. The University of Wisconsin-Superior views, evaluates, and treats all person in any University related activity or circumstance in which they may be involved, solely as individuals.
For more information about Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and/or to report bias, discrimination or harassment, please email edi@uwsuper.edu or call 715-394-8015.
Policies and Practices to Help Your Learning and Growth
The University of Wisconsin-Superior is dedicated to a safe, supportive and nondiscriminatory learning environment. It is the responsibility of all undergraduate and graduate students to familiarize themselves with University policies regarding special accommodations, academic misconduct, religious beliefs accommodation, discrimination and absence for University- sponsored events.
Please review the Student Information Module provided in Canvas. This includes policies and information related to:
- Student characteristics, including policies and services related to those who are active military/veterans, those who are pregnant or expecting new family members, and students seeking services for differing abilities and accommodations student services, and others.
- Academic integrity, including information on plagiarism and steps that an instructor can take.
- Campus policies, including how to sign up for Safe Alerts, information on course evaluations, process for submitting a formal grievance regarding academics and/or discrimination, and others.
Please refer to the University Catalog or the UW-Superior Web page for full description of these and other policies.