CSCE 513: COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

 

Catalog Description:

513—Computer Architecture. (3) (Prereq: CSCE 211, 212) Design methodologies; processor design; computer arithmetic: algorithms for addition, multiplication, floating point arithmetic; microprogrammed control; memory organization; introduction to parallel architectures.

 

Prerequisite(s) By Topic:

Basic computer organization

Data structures and algorithms

Programming languages

 

Textbook(s) and Other Required Material:

Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach, 2d ed., John L. Hennessey and David A. Patterson, Morgan Kaufman, 1995.

 

Computing Platform: Not applicable

 

Course Objectives: {Assessment Methods Shown in Braces}

1.       Describe the principles of computer architecture and organization. {tests}

2.       Describe the techniques and principles for the development of high performance computer systems. {tests}

3.       Describe the details of extant computer architectures. {tests}

4.       Quantitatively analyze aspects of computer architecture and draw conclusions about their performance. {homework, tests}

 

Topics Covered:

1.       Design methodology:  system modeling, design levels, hierarchical design (3 hours)

2.       Processor design: instruction sets, arithmetic operations (5 hours)

3.       Microprogrammed control (3 hours)

4.       Algorithms for computer arithmetic:  addition, fast addition, multiplication, fast multiplication, division, floating point numbers and operations (8 hours)

5.       Memory organization (8 hours)

6.       I/O organization (4 hours)

7.       Multiprocessor and parallel computer architecture (4 hours)

8.       RISC architectures (4 hours)

9.       Review and examinations (3 hours)

 

Laboratory Projects:

Course project involving both implementation and theoretical comparison of system performance.

 

Syllabus Flexibility: Moderate.  The instructor may select any textbook that covers the topics listed.

 


Relationship of Course to Program Outcomes:

The contribution of each course objective to meeting the program outcomes is indicated with the following scale:  3 = major contributor, 2 = moderate contributor, 1 = minor contributor.  Blank if not related.










Course Objectives

Program Outcomes

1. Logic & Math

2. Computing Fundamentals

3. Apply Computing Principles

4. Work on teams

5. Communicate Effectively

6. Liberal arts & Soc. Sciences

7. Basic Science and Lab Procedures

8. Learn New Tools & Processes

9. Employed upon Graduation

10. Application Area

11. Electronics and Digital Sys Design

1. Describe the principles of computer organization.

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

1

2. Describe the techniques and principles for the development of high performance computer systems.

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

2

1

 

1

3. Describe the details of extant computer architectures.

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

1

4. Quantitatively analyze aspects of computer architecture and draw conclusions about their performance.

 

3

2

 

 

2

2

 

2

 

Estimated CSAB Category Content:

Algorithms:                                                         0

Data Structures:                                                  0

Software Design:                                                 0

Concepts of Programming Languages                   0

Organization and Architecture                              3 hr

 

Oral and Written Communication: Written report on course project

 

Social and Ethical Issues: none

 

Theoretical Content: none

 

Analysis and Design:

The emphasis is on an analytical enumeration of computer architecture and how that examination can be used to understand and improve performance.

 

Class/Laboratory Schedule:

Lecture:  3 periods of 50 minutes or 2 periods of 75 minutes per week

 

Difference between Undergraduate and Graduate Work:

Students enrolled for graduate credit will have to do a more substantive project including a literature review to justify the receipt of graduate credit for this course.

 

Course Coordinator: Duncan Buell

 

Modification and Approval History:

Initial description, April 1999

Revised, December 2000

Revised July 2002 to include statement on graduate work