CSCI 320 Computer Architecture, Fall, 2009 Dr Boyd

CSCI 320 is the second course in UNCA's CSCI systems sequence. It assumes CSCI 255 as a prerequisite and builds on the concepts introduced in that course. CSCI 320 covers the innards of contemporary computer systems. We look at both how the last four decades of computer architecture has led to current designs and at the real world design tradeoffs that are being made. We will also learn how the remarkable performance gains of the last decade have been achieved and try to get some idea of what the physical limitations are on future developments.

Our text, Computer Organization and Design - The hardware/software interface , by Patterson and Hennessey, covers the architecture - how the processor is structured - and organization - how the logical building blocks that make up the computer relate to each other - of modern computer systems.Our text has nine chapters. We will cover all of them, so our pace will be roughly two weeks per chapter. Topics include: Machine Language, Logic Design, CISC and RISC Instruction Set Architectures, Pipelining, Computer Arithmetic, Assembly Language Programmming and Computer Input/Output.

Grading: Quiz each week, based on the homework assigned for that week - 30%

And
Two test (20% each) - 40% (first test during Ch 4, second after Ch 6)
Final Exam - 30% - comphrehensive

Grading Scale 90-80-70-60.

My office is RH 024. My office hours are 1 - 2 MWF. For other times please send me email (boyd@unca.edu) or call me at my office during my office hours at 232-5162 or leave a message with the CSCI secretary at 251-6446. Email is best.