CSCI 374 - Computer Organization and Architecture (Spring 2019)
Lecture Details
Instructor: Muhammad Zubair Malik (My given name is Zubair)
Email Address: zubair.malik@ndsu.edu
Phone Number: (701) 231-7248
Office: QBB 258 B8
Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday (11AM - 1PM)
TA/Grader:Humaira Rahman
Classroom: Quentin Burdick Bldg. 104
Class hours: MWF 2:00PM - 2:50PM
Description
This course is a study of the evolution of computer architecture and the factors influencing the design of hardware and software elements of computer systems. Topics may include: instruction set design; processor micro-architecture and pipelining; cache and virtual memory organizations; protection and sharing; I/O and interrupts; in-order and out-of-order superscalar architectures; VLIW machines; vector supercomputers; multithreaded architectures; symmetric multiprocessors; memory models and synchronization; embedded systems; and parallel computers.
Course Objectives
The key objectives of the course are to teach:
- How programs are translated into the machine language
- And how the hardware executes them
- The hardware/software interface
- What determines program performance
- And how it can be improved
- How hardware designers improve performance
- What is parallel processing
Required Student Resources
- Computer Organization and Design RISC-V Edition: The Hardware Software Interface, 1st Edition by Patterson and Hennessy, Morgan Kaufmann. (Required) Amazon
- Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach, 7th Edition by Patterson and Hennessy, Morgan Kaufmann. (Recommended) Amazon
- Riscv.org
Schedule
| Lecture | Topic | Reading /Assignment |
| 1 | Introduction | Chapter 1, Slides |
| 2 | Great Ideas in architecture | Chapter 2, Slides |
Evaluation procedures and criteria
The following grade distribution is used:
- Assignments: 25% (6 assignments; 5 best scores are used for total; 5% each)
- 3 Exams: 25% each
Evaluation procedures and criteria
Grading Scale:
- Grade >= 90 is A
- 80 >= Grade < 90 is B
- 70 >= Grade < 80 is C
- 60 >= Grade < 70 is D
- Grade < 60 is F
Attendance Statement
“According to NDSU Policy 333 , attendance in classes is expected.” The course instructor must clearly inform students on the first day of class and in writing in the syllabus of their (1) policy regarding class absence and (2) policy, if any, for making up missed assignments. If class attendance is a component of the course grade, the course instructor must clearly communicate this to the class in writing in the syllabus. See NDSU Policy 333 for faculty and student responsibilities related to attendance, including for university-sponsored activities. Faculty are encouraged to provide the following statement on syllabi: “Veterans and student service members with special circumstances or who are activated are encouraged to notify the instructor as soon as possible and are encouraged to provide Activation Orders.”
Americans with Disabilities Act for Students with Special Needs Statement
The following statement must appear on all syllabi: “Any students with disabilities or other special needs, who need special accommodations in this course, are invited to share these concerns or requests with the instructor and contact the Disability Services Office (www.ndsu.edu/disabilityservices) as soon as possible.”
Academic Honesty Statement
“The academic community is operated on the basis of honesty, integrity, and fair play.NDSU Policy 335: Code of Academic Responsibility and Conduct applies to cases in which cheating, plagiarism, or other academic misconduct have occurred in an instructional context. Students found guilty of academic misconduct are subject to penalties, up to and possibly including suspension and/or expulsion. Student academic misconduct records are maintained by the Office of Registration and Records. Informational resources about academic honesty for students and instructional staff members can be found at Owww.ndsu.edu/academichonesty.