Homepage: http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/hunt/class/2008-spring/cs352/cs352.html
Unique Number: 55665
Class Room Number: GEO 2.102
Class Time: Tuesday, Thursday: 8:00 -- 9:20 am
Class Textbook: Computer Systems, A Programmer's Perspective
Textbook Authors: Randal E. Bryant and David O'Hallaron
Textbook ISBN: 0-13-034074-X
Office Location: Main 2012
Office Hours: Wednesdays: 17:45 to 18:45
Office Hours Location: Taylor Hall Basement
Instructor: Warren A. Hunt, Jr.
Instructor E-mail: hunt@cs.utexas.edu
Teaching Assistant: David L. Rager
Office Hours Location: Main 20 Lobby
Office Hours: Tuesdays: 11:30 to 13:00, Thursdays 14:00 to 15:30
TA E-mail: ragerdl@cs.utexas.edu
TA Announcements: http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/ragerdl/cs352/
In this class we will discuss how computers are organized and how primitive building blocks, such as simple gates, can be used to create a computing system. This class is intended to introduce a student to a number of topics in the computer architecture field. Student participation and interest can partially influence the topics discussed and the assignments given. The point of this course is to build up awareness of the computer architecture field so the interested student is ready to pursue advanced computer architecture topics.
The text book for this class is "Computer Systems, A Programmer's Perspective" by Randal E. Bryant and David O'Hallaron, Prentice Hall, 2003. In the book preface (page xxiii), there are five different kinds of courses that the authors propose. In our class, we will use Course ORG+.
My office hours are listed above. In addition, you may certainly seek out and visit the class TA, if you need help. You may arrange to meet me at other times, but you will need to send E-mail to arrange a time.
The following gives an outline of what we will discuss. I am open to discussing other architecture topics of general interest, and I will include some of my own microprocessor design experience. The syllabus below is approximate, not exact as the rate at which we will cover some material may vary.
Schedule Below is Approximate, Lectures Dates May Change Slightly
00 Jan 15 Introduction to Computer Architecture, Chapter 1
01 Jan 17 Chapter 1
02 Jan 22 Chapter 1, Laboratory 1
03 Jan 24 Chapter 2
04 Jan 29 Chapter 2
05 Jan 31 Chapter 3
06 Feb 5 Chapter 3
07 * Feb 7 Short Exam
08 Feb 12 Chapter 3
09 Feb 14 Chapter 3
10 Feb 19 Chapter 3, Laboratory 2a
11 Feb 21 Chapter 4
12 Feb 26 Chapter 4
13 Feb 28 Chapter 4
14 Mar 4 Midterm Review
15 * Mar 6 Midterm Exam
16 Mar 18 Chapter 4
17 Mar 20 Chapter 4
18 Mar 25 Chapter 4, Laboratory 2b
19 Mar 27 Chapter 4
20 Apr 1 Chapter 5
21 Apr 3 Chapter 5
22 Apr 8 Chapter 6
23 * Apr 10 Short Exam
24 Apr 15 Chatper 6
25 Apr 17 Chapter 6, Laboratory 3
26 Apr 22 Chapter 10
27 Apr 24 Chapter 10
28 Apr 29 Chapter 10
29 May 1 Course Summary
* May 9 Final Exam, 9:00 am -- noon
Schedule Above is Approximate, Lectures Dates May Change Slightly
There will be three in-class examinations, two short (50 to 60 minute) exams and one midterm (70 to 80 minute) exam. See the class syllabus (marked with a "*" above) for the dates. There will be a final (150 minute) exam given. Homework will be assigned each week on Tuesday and due nine days later (Thursday) at 12:00 noon; no homework will be assigned the last week of class.
The weighting of the grades for the various aspects of the course are: in-class exams - 30% (Midterm 12%, short exams each 9%), final exam - 20%, homework - 20%, and class projects - 30%. The two lowest homework grades will be dropped in the computation of the final homework grade. Homework will not be accepted late. Projects may be turned in one week late with a 20% reduction of the grade given for the content of the project. Examinations must be taken at the scheduled times.
The final exam will be given at the time as provided by the UT Registrar. Each time I teach this course, I am told by a student that he/she needs to take the exam early because of an existing airline reservation. Please make sure that your summer travel plans start after the final exam. If you need to leave for the summer prior to to the final exam, then this not the course for you.
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