Module 08752 (2002)
Syllabus page 2002/2003
06-08752
Introduction to Software & Hardware Engineering A
Level 1/C
Links | Outline | Aims | Outcomes | Prerequisites | Teaching | Assessment | Books | Detailed Syllabus
The Module Description is a strict subset of this Syllabus Page. (The University module description has not yet been checked against the School's.)
Relevant Links
Outline
Introduction to Hardware Engineering: logic gates and the logical design of digital circuits, basic computer organisation (CPU, memory, i/o) and instruction sets.
Aims
The aims of this module are to:
- provide an understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of computer architectures in the context of the von-Neumann model
- introduce the basic components of von-Neumann computers, their internal design and operation and their interactions
- develop an appreciation of how computer hardware supports the programming languages and environments that students learn in other courses
Learning Outcomes
| On successful completion of this module, the student should be able to: | Assessed by: | |
| 1 | understand the technical literature on computer architectures | Examination |
| 2 | understand the fundamental mathematical, physical and technological principles upon which the operation of modern computers is based | Examination |
| 3 | explain the structure and organization of computer systems | Examination |
| 4 | explain the role and operation of each of the component modules, the issues involved in their design and the alternative techniques that may be employed to address these issues | Examination |
| 5 | understand the engineering principles of sound architectural design and the determining factors that influence design decisions | Examination |
| 6 | understand the interaction between software and hardware and how programs are executed | Examination |
Restrictions, Prerequisites and Corequisites
Restrictions:
None
Prerequisites:
None
Co-requisites:
06-08755 (Introduction to Software & Hardware Engineering B) (linked module)
Teaching
Teaching Methods:
Lectures/tutorials: 2 hrs/week
Contact Hours:
Assessment
- Supplementary (where allowed): As the sessional assessment
- 3 hr examination (100%), divided equally between this module and 06-08755 (Introduction to Software & Hardware Engineering B).
Recommended Books
| Title | Author(s) | Publisher, Date |
| Computer organization and Design - The Hardware/Software Interface | John Hennessy and David Patterson | Morgan Kaufmann, 1997 |
| Structured Computer Organization | Andrew Tanenbaum | Prentice Hall, 1999 |
| Computer Organization and Architecture: Designing for Performance | William Stallings | Prentice Hall, 1999 |
| Structured Computer Organization | Andrew Tanenbaum | Prentice Hall, 2000 |
| Lecture Slides for 06-08752 | Georgios Theodoropoulos |
Detailed Syllabus
-
Basic concepts
- Historical Overview
- Structured computer organization
- The von-Neumann model
- Digital Logic design
- Number representation and character codes
- Boolean Algebra basics
- Logic gates
- Combinational circuits
- Sequential devices and circuits
- Integrated Circuits and families
- Instruction codes and memory addressing
- Instruction formats
- Instruction set design
- Addressing modes
- Stacks
- The central Processing Unit
- Datapath design
- Control unit
- Time, clocks and cycles
- RISC vs CISC
- Memory
- Locality and Memory hierarchy
- Main memory
- Virtual memory
- Caches
- Input/Output
- I/O devices
- Buses
- Interfacing to the CPU
- Interfacing to the Operating System
Last updated: 29 July 2001
Source file: /internal/modules/COMSCI/2002/xml/08752.xml
Links | Outline | Aims | Outcomes | Prerequisites | Teaching | Assessment | Books | Detailed Syllabus