CSC 204
computer architecture and organization

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Prerequisite

CSC 155 or higher-numbered CSC course or instructor's consent.

Course Description

This course is a survey of the various levels of hierarchical computer architecture and design. The analysis of internal and external memory models, busses, I/O peripherals, CISC and RISC processor strategies are covered. Additional topics include the instruction formats and addressing schemes of microprocessors such as Intel Pentium and Power PC architectures, vectorizing multiprocessors and multicomputer systems.

Course Objectives

A. Review the historical development of computers and computer architectures.
B. Understand information representation, error detection/correction schemes and digital logic.
C. Identify the basic components of computer organization and understand how they work together.
D. Learn the format of instruction sets and the operation of the instruction cycle.
E. Survey the hierarchical internal and external memory organization strategies.
F. Recognize current superscalar microprocessor and multiprocessor models in today's market.