csc 204 Generic course syllabus

I. Course
II. Prerequisite
III. Course (Catalog) Description
IV. Course Objectives
V. Academic Integrity

VI. Outline of Topics
VII. Methods of Instruction
VIII. Course Practices Required
IX. Instructional Materials
XI. Other Course Information


I. Course Prefix	Course Number	Course Name	Credit	Lecture	Lab
CSC	204	Computer Architecture and Organization	3	3	1

II. Prerequisite

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

III. Course Description

Course surveys various levels of hierarchical computer architecture and design. Content includes analysis of internal and external memory models, busses, I/O peripherals, CISC and RISC processor strategies; instruction formats; addressing schemes of microprocessors such as Intel Pentium and Power PC architectures, vectorizing multiprocessors and multicomputer systems.

IV. 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.

V. Academic Integrity:

Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic integrity and follow Oakton’s Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:

cheating,
plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
helping others to cheat,
unauthorized changes on official documents,
pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
any other behavior that violates academic integrity.

There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton’s policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.

Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.

VI. Outline of Topics:

	A. Background and Introductions
		1. performance metrics
		2. arithmetic representation
		a. integer b. floating point
		a. integer b. floating point
	B. Organization of Computer Systems
		1. bus strategies
		2. internal memory and cache hierarchies
		3. external memory
		a. disk b. tape
		a. disk b. tape
		4. I/O channels and processors
	C. CPU Components
		1. register organization
		a. RISC strategies
		2. pipeline/superscalar processors
		3. instruction sets and addressing formats
	D. Current Architectures
		1. commodity microprocessors
		a. Intel b. Power PC
		a. Intel b. Power PC
		2. multiprocessors
		3. multicomputers

VII. Methods of Instruction:

Lectures, class discussion, individual and group projects, and use of a computer laboratory.

VIII. Course Practices Required:

Reading of the text will be required for reference to the language syntax. Use of a computer laboratory will be necessary in order to complete the language and UNIX assignments.

IX. Instructional Materials:

Required Textbook:
Computer Organization and Architecture: Designing for Performance by Stallings, 6^th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2003.

One floppy diskette.

X. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

Quizzes, written homework, computer assignments, major examinations and a final examination will be used.

XI. Other Course Information:

If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in Instructional Support Services. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.

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