Course Outline : Computer Architecture 211 Fall 2010
Description
To provide an understanding of the fundamental logical organization of a
computer (its parts and their relationship)
and how it actually works; exposure to a central processor's native language,
and to system software concepts.
Credits: 4
Prerequisite: 01:198:112. Credit not given for this course and 14:332:331.
Please note that courses for which a student has received a grade of D cannot be
used to satisfy prerequisite requirements.
Semesters Offered:
Topics:
1. Von Neumann Architecture, Hardware trends, Importance of Speed, Cost, Energy
2. Intro to C programming
3. Data Representation, Computer Arithmetic
4. Assembly language techniques, including macro-instruction definition
5. Digital logic, registers, instruction counter
6. Processor Architecture
7. Memory hierarchies, Caching (L0, L1, L2 caches)
8. Virtual Memory
9. Performance
10. Input and Output
Expected Work:
2 Midterms (in class) , 3 or 4 Programming Assignments and a Final
Exam