CS 2734 Computer Organization II

Text:
Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware/Software Interface
by David A. Patterson and John L. Hennessy

Prerequisite:
CS 2514 or the equivalent

Course Content:
Introduction to computer organization with focus on the assembly language level, the conventional machine level, and the microprogramming level. Mips assembly language and C will be used. We will be discussing Chapters 1-6, 8 and Appendix A of Patterson and Hennessy with particular emphasis on Chapters 3 and 5.

Grading:
40% Programming and Homework
30% Two in-class exams
30% Final exam (Wednesday, Dec 15, 1:30-4:15 pm)

Scholastic Dishonesty:
The integrity of a university degree depends on the integrity of the work done for that degree by each student. The University expects a student to maintain a high standard of individual honor in his/her scholastic work.

In practice, for this course, you may discuss assignments in general terms, but you are not allowed to share any details of actual algorithms or of program code. You may help someone else debug their program as long as you do not start substituting in your own code when there are problems. Turning in a copy of someone else's program, even a copy with extensive changes made to it, is a very serious offense in this course. A student caught with a copy of another student's assignment will be severely dealt with.

Laboratories:
The laboratories comprise a significant portion of the homework grade, and you must attend. Each week you will be asked to perform a specific task in the laboratory and will be checked off on that task for a grade. If you are checked off during the Monday laboratory, you do not have to attend the Wednesday laboratory. If you do not get checked off, you will receive a zero for that laboratory. A perfect lab receives a score of 10. A lab with only minor mistakes receives a score of 8. An attempt that is not completely working receives a score of 3. There are no make-up laboratories, and all laboratories will count toward your grade. Generally the laboratory, or practice for the laboratory, will be available the week before the lab. You should do the advanced preparation prior to coming to the laboratory. If you have a PC at home, you can download a copy of the MIPS simulator to run at home. However, to be checked off, your lab must be running in the Sun lab.

General:
Friday, October 29, 1999, is the last day to drop this course. No make-up exams will be given except for university sanctioned excused absences. If you must miss an exam (for a good reason), it is your responsibility to contact me before the exam, or as soon after the exam as possible. Leave a message at the above number or send me email.

Attendance in class is not required but students are responsible for all material covered in class. The class web page is http://www.cs.utsa.edu/~wagner/CS2734/fall99/index.html. You should put a netscape bookmark at that page for easy access. Class information and assignments will be posted on that page. You are responsible for reading the web page.