CS2114

CS2114 Computer Organization for Media

Part I

Course Duration: One Semester

Credit Units: 4

Level: B2

Medium of Instruction: English

Pre-requisites: Nil

Pre-cursors: Nil

Equivalent Courses: Nil

Exclusive Courses: Nil

Part II

Course Aims:

This course aims to introduce the logic design techniques in the construction of the functional parts of a CPU and fundamental components and principles of operation of computer systems.

Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
(state what the student is expected to be able to do at the end of the course according to a given standard of performance)

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

No.
CILOs Weighting(if applicable)
1. describe functions of the basic building blocks of a digital system;
2. make critique and assessment on various architectures and the design concepts for analyzing computer systems;
3. create design and analyze simple sequential & combination circuits using logic gates and flip-flops;
4. write simple programs / sub-functions using CISC assembly language such as MC68000;
5. explain the basic operations of cache and main memory, I/O operations, bus, interrupt and peripheral devices as well as analyzing the performance of different designs.

Teaching and learning Activities (TLAs):
(designed to facilitate students’ achievement of the CILOs)

Teaching pattern
Suggested lecture/tutorial/laboratory mix: 3 hrs. lecture; 1 hr. tutorial

This course will focus mainly on simple computer architecture and the use of low level language.
The course will introduce the basic building blocks of computer together with classical architecture such as the single bus organization. CISC assembly language such as MC68000 will be picked as an example to demonstrate the characteristics and techniques involved in low level programming. Factual knowledge will be covered in lectures while tutorials will be allocated for discussion and Q&A. Class participation (3-hour lecture) is important since a considerable volume of information will be covered.

Based on the Course ILOs, the teaching/learning activities of this course may include:

ILO No
TLAs Hours/week(if applicable)
CILO 1 to CILO 5 Tutorial / Lab hands-on – Tutorial sessions will be used for Q&A. If there is no question from students, the tutor will discuss practical questions and exercises with students, which provide training on analyzing, assessing and designing of digital circuits. In the middle of semester, hands-on will be included in tutorial sessions to let students to do experiment with circuit simulator and cross assembler. This activity helps support course ILO, especially #2 and #4.
CILO 1 to CILO 5 Assignment – Assignments will be given out during the semester. Assignments will be focusing on practical questions and at least one of them will be allocated for low level programming in assembly language. Students are required to solve simple programming problem in group or individual basis. Students may also be required to write report to make critiques and assess the design rationale and the architecture of system. This activity helps support course ILO #1, #3, #4 and #5. Assignments will be graded according to the correctness of questions, as well as the robustness of design and prototype written in low level language.

Assessment Tasks/Activities:
(designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs)

ILO No
Type of assessment tasks/activities Weighting (if applicable) Remarks
CILO 1 Describe functions of the basic building blocks of a digital system.
Exam/Mid-term quiz - Final exam and mid-term quiz will include questions assessing the students’ understanding on the building blocks of computer, including Adder, Multiplier, ALU and memory and cache.
Coursework - Assignment may include short factual questions and design exercises regarding the various building blocks of computer. Quality of assignment (correctness of answers and feasibility of design) will be used to assess this ILO.
CILO 2 Make critique and assessment on various architectures and the design concepts for analyzing computer systems.
Exam/Mid-term quiz - Final exam and mid-term quiz will include questions assessing the students’ understanding on architectural aspect of computer, including RTL (register-transfer-language) and single bus organization.
Coursework - Assignment may include short factual questions and case studies regarding computer architecture. Quality of assignment (correctness of answers and ability to apply knowledge) will be used to assess this ILO.
CILO 3 Create design and analyze simple sequential & combination circuits using logic gates and flip-flops.
Coursework - Assignment may include simple circuit design project / exercises. There would be hands-on and case study on circuit design during tutorial. Quality of assignment and probably hands-on exercises will be used to assess this ILO.
CILO 4 Write simple programs / sub-functions using CISC assembly language such as MC68000.
Coursework - Assignment may include mini programming project in assembly language. There would also be hands-on exercises during tutorial. Quality of assignment and probably hands-on exercises will be used to assess this ILO.
CILO 5 Explain the basic operations of cache and main memory, I/O operations, bus, interrupt and peripheral devices as well as analyzing the performance of different designs.
Exam/Mid-term quiz - Final exam and mid-term quiz will include questions assessing the students’ understanding on I/O, bus, interrupt and peripheral operations.

Grading of Student Achievement:
Refer to Grading of Courses in the Academic Regulations (Attachment) and to the Explanatory Notes.

Examination duration: 2 hours
Percentage of coursework, examination, etc.: 30% CW; 70% Exam
Grading pattern: Standard (A+AA-…F)
For a student to pass the course, at least 30% of the maximum mark for the examination must be obtained.

Part III

Keyword Syllabus:

Number Systems. Logic Gates. Latches and Flip-flops. Basic combinational circuits and sequential circuits. Basic Computer Organization and Architecture. Cache and Main Memory Organization. Synchronous and Asynchronous Bus, Bus Arbitration. Interrupt, Programmed I/O, Interrupt I/O, DMA, Channel I/O. Parallel and Serial Interfaces, SCSI Bus. Peripheral Devices. Machine Instructions and Assembly Language.