CS 3383   Computer Architecture

 

Spring 2007, Credit Hrs: 3

 

General Information

 

  Instructor: Hai  Jiang 
    Office: CSM, Room 127
    Phone:  972-3978 ext. 118
    Email:  hjiang@cs.astate.edu
  Time: MW  1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
  Location: CSM,  Room 211
  Office Hours: MW 9:50 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  Syllabus: http://www.csm.astate.edu/~hjiang/cs3383/syllabus.pdf
  Course Homepage: http://www.csm.astate.edu/~hjiang/cs3383.html
    ( Lecture notes, homework assignments, etc. )

    

 

Course Description

 

Computer architecture is the design of computers, including their instruction set, hardware components, and system organization. CS 3383 is an engineering-oriented computer architecture course. It is meant to teach you the engineering methods to design and build modern high-performance uniprocessors, operating at ever higher speeds. The class will focus on quantitative evaluation of design alternatives while considering design metrics such as performance, cost, and energy efficiency. Tentative topics will include:

 

Prerequisites

 

MATH 2204 (Calculus I), CS 3333 (Assembly Language Programming) and ECIE 3333 (Digital Electronics I), or consent of the instructor

 

Textbook

 

 David A. Patterson and John L. Hennessy, Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware/Software Interface, Third Edition, Morgan Kaufmann,  Published June 2007, 741 pages, ISBN 978-0123706065.

 

 

References

 

 John L. Hennessy and David A. Patterson, Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach, Fourth Edition, Morgan Kaufmann,  Published September 2006, 704 pages, ISBN 978-0123704900.
   

Robert Britton, MIPS Assembly Language Programming, Prentice Hall, Published May 2003, 168 pages, ISBN 0131420445.
   

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 More course materials will be available on course homepage. Please visit it often for changes and announcements.

 

 

Resources

 

 

Term Paper

 

You will complete a 10-15 page research paper on the topic from Computer Architecture of your choosing. You can use 1.5 spacing. You must cite at least three references.

 

Grading

 

Final grades will be calculated based on the following weights:

  Homework Assignments and Quizzes:  20%
  Term Paper: 10%
  Exams (2): 40%
  Final Exam: 30%

 

The final grade will be distributed as :

      A    [90-100]

B    [80 - 90)

C    [70 - 80)

D    [60 - 70)

F     [0  - 60)

 

 

LabSoft

 

LabSoft system (http://plab.cs.astate.edu/) will be used for homework submission and grading.

 

Policies

 

Food and Drinks

Department policy restricts bringing either food or drinks into the classroom.
 

Electronic Devices

Cell phones are restricted during class. Cell phones must be turned off during the lecture. If your cell phone rings during class, you may be asked to leave. Other devices (computers, recorders, etc.) may be allowed, but you must ask the instructor before you use them during class.

 

Special Facilities

Students who require academic adjustments in the classroom due to a disability must first register with ASU Disability Services. Following registration and within the first two weeks of class, please contact the instructor to discuss the appropriate academic accommodations to ensure equal access to this course.

 

Rescheduling Tests

Tests cannot be rescheduled due to testing in other classes. If a test is missed due to extenuating circumstances then you must notify me as soon as possible. The circumstances must be documented by you and must be excusable in order to reschedule a test.

 

Late Assignments

For most homework assignments, the class will receive a working solution within four days after the due date. NO assignments will be accepted that are more than four days late. Assignments that are less than a week late, will be accepted with certain penalty (25% per day).

 

Cheating

You are encouraged to discuss problems and programming assignments with each other. Helping others learn is often the most powerful way of mastering material yourself. However, taking somebody else's solution without their knowledge or consent is cheating and will be punished. Do not leave copies of the programming assignments in the trash can in a public place -- throw them away at home or some other private place. Also do not leave your directories unprotected. There are harsh penalties for those found cheating.

 

Attendance

Attendance is required. If you miss a class, you are responsible for material covered during the class you missed, this includes any assignments made. Note that I do not provide one-on-one instruction for missed classes.