CSC 2011 Computer Organization & Architecture

George J. Grevera, Ph.D.

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Course description

Overview of computer system organization and communications. Introduction to combinational and sequential logic, arithmetic, CPU, memory, microprocessors, and interfacing. Assembly language programming. Microarchitecture and microprogramming.

Required textbook

A.S. Tanenbaum, "Structured Computer Organization," 5th ed., Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2005.

Course goals

  • develop an understanding of computer systems organization
  • become proficient at binary arithmetic and digital logic
  • be able to compare and contrast current, popular CPUs with regard to microarchitecture and instruction set architecture
  • become proficient at 32-bit Pentium 4 assembly language programming
  • become proficient at 64-bit UltraSPARC assembly language programming

Prerequisites

  • CSC 1401 Introduction to Computer Programming in Java (or equivalent or permission of instructor)

Major topics covered in the course

  • milestones in computer architecture
  • Pentium, UltraSPARC, and JVM
  • computer systems organization
  • binary numbers & arithmetic
  • instruction set architecture level
  • assembly language level
  • microarchitecture level
  • digital logic level

Tentative Laboratory projects

Unless otherwise directed, email me a copy of your code. Also, hand in a printout of your code as well as a printout of sample test runs. Your code will also be graded according to readability as well as correct execution. A grade of 'A' requires correct, readable code as well as sufficient comments and example test runs.
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