CS 331 Computer Architecture

Fall 2006

MW 9:30-10:45, Cramer Hall 203

New Mexico Tech

 

Instructor: Dr. Xiao Qin

 Cramer Hall 231A, 505-5902 

Office hours: Wednesday 2:00-4:00pm

TA: Mais Nijim,  mnijima@nmt.edu, Cramer 208, Office hours: Tuesday 3:00-4:00pm

                                General Information | Announcements | Syllabus | Assignments | Lectures 

Announcements

  • Written assignment 4 is available. (Due 9:30AM, M, Dec. 11, 2006) [Posted Monday 12/4/2006]    
  • Lab assignment 4 is available. (Due 9:30AM, W, Dec. 6, 2006) [Posted Friday 11/17/2006]   
  • Written assignment 3 is available. (Due 9:30AM, W, Nov. 8, 2006) [Posted Tuesday 10/31/2006]   
  • Lab assignment 3 is available. (Due 9:30AM, M, Nov. 13, 2006) [Posted Tuesday 10/24/2006]  
  • The Study Guide for the Midterm exam is updated. [Posted Monday 10/16/2006]  
  • The Study Guide for the Midterm exam is available. [Posted Friday 9/29/2006] 
  • Written assignment 2 is available. (Due 9:30AM, W, Sept. 27, 2006) [Posted Tuesday 9/19/2006]
  • Lab assignment 2 is available. (Due 9:30AM, M, Oct. 9, 2006) [Posted Tuesday 9/12/2006] 
  • Written assignment 1 is available. (Due 9:30AM, M, Sept. 11, 2006) [Posted Wednesday 8/30/2006] 
  • Lab assignment 1 is available. (Due 9:30AM, W, Sept. 13, 2006) [Posted Wednesday 8/23/2006]
  • The webpage of CS 331 is launched. [Posted Monday 8/21/2006]

Course Information

This course aims to introduce many issues and challenges involved in designing and implementing modern computer systems. Since application developers definitely benefit from understanding how computer systems work, we will be focusing on the architecture and implementation of von Neumann computer systems. Understanding the interdependence of architectural and implementation decisions is of help to the development of applications where performance is a critical issue. Specific objectives of this course include:

Objectives

Topics  (These topics may change.) 

Prerequisite: CS 221 Computer System Organization

Office Hours: Dr. Qin will have office hours on Wednesday at 2:00-4:00pm in his office (Cramer 231A). Mais and Piyush will have office hours on Tuesday at 4:00-5:30pm in their offices. To get the most out of office hours, it is recommended to email us in advance.

Textbooks:  

  • Hennessy, J. L, and Patterson, D. A., Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach, 3rd Edition. Morgan Kaufmann, 2002, ISBN 1-55860-596-7 (Required) 

    • Exams and Grading

    Mid-term                   20%   

    Final Exam                 20%   

    Quizzes                      10%

    Class Participation        5%

    Written Assignments   15%

    Lab Assignments        30%

    Scale

    Letter grades will be awarded based on the following scale. This scale may be adjusted upwards if it is necessary based on final grades.

               A+ >= 97    A >= 93    A- >= 90    B+ >= 87    B >= 83    B- >= 80    C+ >= 77    C >= 73    C- >= 70     D+ >= 67    D >= 63    D- >= 60    F < 60 

    Reading

    Students are expected to read the appropriate sections of the book before each lecture. 

    Assignments

    There will be four written assignments and four laboratory assignments. The lab assignment solutions will be submitted in C or java code.

    Late Assignments

    Late assignments will NOT be accepted without prior arrangement.

    Resources

    Study Hints