- Student Records
Programme & Unit Catalogues

 

Department of Computer Science, Unit Catalogue 2009/10


CM10194: Systems architecture 1

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Certificate
Click here for further information Period: Semester 1
Click here for further information Assessment: CW 30%, EX 70%
Click here for further informationSupplementary Assessment: CM10194 Mandatory Extra Work (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites: While taking this unit you must take CM10227 and take CM10228 or equivalent, approved by the Director of Studies.
Description: Aims:
To introduce students to the layers and abstractions of modern computer systems architectures from machine level to the operating system. To understand the representation, storage, management and transmission of data on the computer and management of resources.

Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this unit students will be able to:
1. demonstrate knowledge of computer architectures and their abstractions, from hardware to the interface with operating systems;
2. identify the machine representation of key data forms and describe their machine level processing;
3. relate various forms of systems architecture and their interactions.

Skills:
Use of IT (T/F, A), Application of Number (T/F, A).

Content:
* History of computing (overview). Architectures - Von Neumann, Non Von Neumann, SIMD to MIMD. Principles of digital computer operation.
* Integer numbers: representations. Floating point numbers: representations, precision and accuracy. Introduction to digital logic, simplification of Boolean logic. Designing circuits.
* Input and output: Memory maps, polling, interrupts. Buses, devices and device addresses.
* Assembler concepts: machine codes, instruction execution, addressing modes, CISC v RISC, register use, look-up tables, subroutine calls and the stack.
* Topics in contemporary machine design.
NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.