Computer Architecture
Computer Architecture
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Computer architecture
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CS 35101 – 600
Computer Architecture
Department of Computer Science
Kent State University Stark
TR 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM - Room MH 303
Course Information
Class Webpage: http://www.personal.kent.edu/~aguercio/Fall09/CS35101-600Fa09.html
• all important class information will be posted on the class webpage, readings,
assignments, notes, deadlines, cancellations, etc..
• You must CHECK THE CLASS WEBSITE REGULARLY!!!
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Emergency: In case of an emergency please contact the security on campus.
Security phone on campus: #53123
Security cell phone (330) 705-0430 or, of course, 911.
I recommend that you program into your cell phone the previous numbers.
Students will
• deepen the knowledge of the components of a computer;
• learn in depth a sample machine language;
• become familiar with the path that data follow during execution;
• learn how to measure computer performance;
• understand how to improve performance with pipelining;
• be exposed to efficient memory storage;
• understand how the communication computer-external environment
occurs.
The course satisfies a requirement for the Computer Science major and minor
and is the prerequisite of other courses in the CS major.
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Class Requirements and Expectations
• Regular class attendance is REQUIRED.
The readings are posted online on the class webpage. You must
read the material before class and again after the class.
The class webpage will list the assignments for each week at the
beginning of that week so that you can better schedule your
work.
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If you have difficulties doing your homework or your project
please contact me or come to see me. Do not procrastinate!
Homework and Projects should be started immediately.
All the printed copies of the Homework or the Projects are due
before or at the beginning of class. All assignments,
either printed or submitted via e-mail, turned in one day late will
get 3 points per day penalty including those returned after the
beginning of class.
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In this course you will work mostly without a computer. However you will
perform simulation of computer execution over the computer blueprints.
The projects are designed to complement the theoretical studies and deepen
your understanding of the architectural complexity of a computing machine.
Exercises will be given to analyze and measure computer performance, to
simulate data behavior and to reinforce the ability to strive for the optimal
design of computer architecture.
The Secret Key (not so secret after all!) of how to succeed in this CS
class is to:
1. work conscientiously and do all the homework that has been assigned;
2. extrapolate, from the examples provided to you, techniques and answers
to problems;
3. spend several hours to solve problems as well as reading material;
4. be alert and participate in class discussions;
5. learn from other people mistakes;
6. be critical of your own work. Question every step you are making; ask
yourself “Is this step correct?” “Are there other easier or alternative and
more efficient steps? Did I use the theory in the appropriate way?”
7. attend class regularly;
8. spend time studying the theoretical concepts. Memory helps, but it is
practice that reinforces the theory;
9. do all the above consistently through the whole semester, be confident
about what you are doing and don’t be afraid to ask for help;
10. Think, think, think…. and enjoy!
I am very confident that you can make the above commitment and that you can
maintain it during the semester. I am sure that you have all the ability to be
successful!
Exams
The 100-points Final Exam will cover the topics of the last 5
weeks of the course.
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being issued, otherwise you are considered absent for that exam
and the grade of your exam is automatically 0.
Grading
Your grade will be based on
1. Your homework/projects
2. Your participation in discussions concerning the homework/projects
and class topics
3. Your participation in class discussions about reading material
4. Your attendance in class
5. Your exams
Participation 5%
Attendance 5%
Homework and Projects 40%
Exam 1 and 2 30%
Final Exam 20%
Points Grade
92.5-100 A
89.5-92.4 A-
87-89.5 B+
82.5-86.9 B
79.8-82.4 B-
77-79.8 C+
72-76.9 C
70-72 C-
60-69.9 D
00-59.9 F
Even though I have never found it necessary to change the grading distribution and
the number of assignments and exams specified in the syllabus during the semester,
I reserve the right to change the method of assigning grades, including changing
the number of assignments or exams if I consider it necessary.
Course Withdrawal
If you are considering withdrawing from this course, please inform your instructor
and consult with a staff member in the Student Services Office, 134 Main Hall.
Withdrawal from a course can affect financial aid, student status, or progress
within your major. For withdrawal deadlines, please refer to
http://www.registrars.kent.edu/home/TermUpdate/sche_adj.htm.
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dishonesty involving programming can be found at
http://www.cs.kent.edu/programs/grad/DishonestyPolicy.pdf.
Use of the intellectual property of others without attributing it to them is considered
a serious academic offense. Cheating or plagiarism will result in a failing grade for
the work or for the entire course. Repeat offenses result in dismissal from the
University. University guidelines require that all infractions be reported to the
Student Conduct Officer on our campus.
Conduct
Students and faculty behavior at the Stark Campus is governed by the guidelines
set forth in The Digest of Rules and Regulations. That document can be found in
the University telephone directory. Information can be found at the Office of
Judicial Affairs at http://www.kent.edu/administration/emsa/judicial.cfm.
Recycling
KSU Stark Campus recycles! Recycling saves energy, which is currently
generated by expensive and vanishing fossil fuels. Recycling one aluminum can
saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours! Please take a few seconds to
separate your trash. Aluminum cans and plastic and glass bottles may be placed in
the blue recycling bins, and all types of paper may be placed in the blue recycling
trash cans. All other waste may be placed in the black, brown or gray trash cans.
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• Exam 2 is Thursday, Nov 10
• Final Exam is Tuesday, Dec. 15 (1:00 pm – 3:00pm)
The Course
Month/Day Topic Reading Assignments and
Deadlines
1 Sept 1 Introduction to Computer Read Ch. 1
Architecture course
2 Sept 3 Intro to the Language of the Read Ch. 2.1 - HW1:
Computer: MIPS 2.3 Deadline: Sept 8
3 Sept 8 MIPS – Ch.2.3 – 2.5 Read Ch. 2.3 - HW2:
2.5 Deadline: Sept 15
4 Sept 10 Video Lecture
10 Oct 1 Exam 1
15 Oct 20 Review
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18 Oct 29 More on Branch HW:
Deadline: Nov 3
19 Nov 3 Understanding Performance
20 Nov 5 Review
21 Nov 10 Exam 2