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CM10194: Computer systems architecture 1

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2014/5
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Computer Science
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 30%, EX 70%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Course Work (CW 30%)
  • Examination (EX 70%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: CM10194 Mandatory Extra Work (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: While taking this unit you must take CM10227 and take CM10228 or equivalent, approved by the Director of Studies.
Further information on descriptions 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.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

CM10194 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Computer Science
  • USCM-AFB11 : BSc(Hons) Computer Information Systems (Year 1)
  • USCM-AAB12 : BSc(Hons) Computer Information Systems with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USCM-AKB12 : BSc(Hons) Computer Information Systems with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • USCM-AFB06 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science (Year 1)
  • USCM-AAB07 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USCM-AKB07 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • USCM-AFM01 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science (Year 1)
  • USCM-AAM02 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USCM-AKM02 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • USCM-AFB09 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science with Business (Year 2)
  • USCM-AAB10 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science with Business with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USCM-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science with Business with Year long work placement (Year 2)

CM10194 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Mathematical Sciences
  • USMA-AFB15 : BSc(Hons) Mathematical Sciences (Year 2)
  • USMA-AAB16 : BSc(Hons) Mathematical Sciences with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USMA-AKB16 : BSc(Hons) Mathematical Sciences with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USMA-AFM14 : MMath(Hons) Mathematics (Year 2)
  • USMA-AAM15 : MMath(Hons) Mathematics with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USMA-AKM15 : MMath(Hons) Mathematics with Year long work placement (Year 2)

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2014/15 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2015/16 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2014/15.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.