SYLLABUS
CMPT250 Computer Organization
Spring 2008
Classes: Fisher 112, MW 2:00-3:25
Instructor: Paul Shields, Fisher 111, (413) 243-0651
Email: pshields@simons-rock.edu
Office Hrs: M 3:30-4:30, T 5:00-5:30, R 1:00-2:00, or by appt.
Web Site: http://cs.simons-rock.edu/cmpt250/
Texts
Computer Organization & Design, 3rd Edition, David Patterson and John Hennessy, Elsevier
“Boolean Algebra”, chapter from Rosen, Discrete Mathematics (handout)
Description
This course introduces the low-level organization and structure of computer systems, including boolean logic and digital circuits, forms of numeric representation and computer arithmetic, instruction sets and assembly language programming, basic CPU design, and more advanced architecture topics such as pipelining and memory management. Prerequisite: one semester of Java or C programming.
Objectives
1) to learn about the low-level structure of a computer and the parallels between low-level and high-level techniques of abstraction and problem solving
2) to gain competence in boolean algebra, elementary circuit design, and assembly language coding
3) to understand the standard implementations of integer and floating point arithmetic.
4) to learn basic principles of computer architecture
Assignments
There will be six-seven assignments during the term, at approximately one-two week intervals. Many of the assignments will have a firm due date -- a date when we will go over the assignment in class. For such assignments late work will not be accepted. There will also be a final presentation (but no final exam) at the end of the course, for which you will need to submit notes and/or electronic presentation materials but no formal paper. There is always the possibility of a small quiz.
Attendance
The normal college policy on attendance will be followed. 2 absences will result in a warning, 3 or more in possible suspension from the course.
Grading
Assignments and Presentation 100%