CS343 - Advanced Computer Organization and Design Spring 2008

Schedule | Instructors | Laboratory | Textbooks | Online Resources | Getting Help | Requirements | Grading | Policies Overview This course explores advanced computer organization and design. The interaction of hardware and software at a variety of levels is studied to provide a framework for how to design a computer. These ideas will also be applied to understand how a computer system works and why it performs as it does. Examples and measurements based on commercial systems are used to create realistic design experiences. Integral to the course is a three-hour weekly laboratory. In lab, we will write a behavioral model of a simple 16-bit pipelined RISC-style microprocessor, using the Hardware Description Language VHDL. Labs will include design of VHDL components, an instruction interpreter, a multicycle and pipelined CPU, data hazards, a forwarding unit and memory implementation. This will be an intensive, semester-long project. The lectures will complement the labs. In addition to designing the simple laboratory microprocessor, RISC architectures for current Desktop, Server and Embedded Computers will also be surveyed. Each student will be responsible for researching and leading the class in a discussion of one specific architecture. Each student will also be responsible for leading the class in a discussion of an advanced computer architecture topic of her choice. Click here to see a detailed schedule. Please check the schedule regularly to be aware of any changes. Schedule Lecture meets on Mondays and Thursdays 9:50 - 11:00 A.M. in room E160A of the Science Center. Laboratory meets on Wednesdays 5:30 - 8:30 P.M. in room E125 of the Science Center. Instructors Lecturer: Dr. Jennifer Stephan(please call me Jennifer) Office: E104 Science Center Phone: x3152 Email: jstephan@wellesley.edu Office Hours: Mondays 1 - 2:00 and Wednesdays 10:30 - 12:30, and by appointment (Note - Jennifer works part-time and is in on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays) Lab Instructor: Jean Herbst(please call me Jean) Office: E129 Science Center Phone: x3162 Email: jherbst@wellesley.edu Office Hours: Tuesday 11:00 - 12:30, Wednesday 4:00 - 5:30, and by appointment (Note - Jean works part-time and is in on Tuesdays and Wednesdays) Textbooks Required: Computer Organization and Design, The Hardware/Software Interface, 3rd ed. by David A. Patterson and John L. Hennessy. Optional: The Designer's Guide to VHDL, 2nd ed. by Peter J. Ashenden. Both textbooks can be purchased from the bookstore. Alternatively, copies of these items are also on reserve in the Science Center Library. Online Resources There is a folder on FirstClass called CS343 for this course. Please check it out immediately and read it on a regular basis. All class materials and handouts, including the assignments and solutions, will be in this folder. Any corrections to handouts, clarifications for assignments, changes to due dates etc... will be posted there. You can also use the folder to post questions that you have. We will read the folder regularly. If you see a student's question to which you know the answer, please go ahead and post the answer! Getting Help We are here to help you. Please note our scheduled office hours and plan to use the FirstClass folder and email regularly. We will be monitoring both routinely. Also, please do not hesitate to make an appointment with us if you are unable to make our scheduled office hours and your questions can't be handled electronically! There is no tutor (or drop-in tutoring hours) for this course. Course Requirements Laboratory: The three hour weekly laboratory is an integral part of the course and attendance is mandatory. Homework/Programming Assignments: There will be a number of homeworks during the semester (see schedule for due dates). Class Participation: Each student is expected to attend class and participate regularly. At the end of the semester, each student is responsible for preparing and leading two class discussions - one about a specific RISC architecture and the other about a topic of advanced computer architecture of her choosing. Exams: There is a one exam scheduled in class on Monday, April 14. If special circumstances prevent you from taking the exam during the scheduled time you must contact Jennifer as soon as possible to discuss your situation. The exam is open book and notes. Readings: The readings for each lecture are provided in the schedule.   Grading Laboratory: 25% Homework Assignments: 25% Exam: 20% Class Led Discussions: 20% (10% each) Class Participation: 10% Policies Collaboration Policy Please note that each course in the Computer Science Department has its own collaboration policy. Indeed, even the collaboration policies for courses taught by the same faculty member may significantly differ. Do not assume anything about the collaboration policy for this course. Instead, be careful to understand the policy outlined below, and see us if you have any questions. It is never acceptable to present someone else's work as if it were your own. Unless stated otherwise, we will assume that all work you hand in is yours and yours alone. Collaboration on class assignments is acceptable but each student must submit her own individual assignments, indicating clearly any other students with whom she works. If you get help from us that constitutes a significant part of the assignment, you should acknowledge that, too. If you are not sure, err on the side of caution. Copying other people's code or work is a serious violation and will be regarded as a disciplinary matter. In general, it is acceptable to talk about your code and problem set solutions using natural languages, but not acceptable to use any formal language, and especially not VHDL or MIPS. In other words, you should not be looking at other people's code or problem set solutions or showing them yours. Referencing any solutions to the course's homework, exam or lab problems from any source besides Jennifer or Jean is unethical and constitutes a violation of the honor code. Late Policy LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR CREDIT. If you wish to hand in an overdue assignment, we will acknowledge your effort and provide feedback, but you will not receive a grade. Late assignments due to a medical or personal emergency will be accepted only with a supporting note from a medical person or Class Dean. Class extensions on an assignment will be announced in class and on the FirstClass conference, so please check it regularly! Formal solutions will be distributed soon after the due date for each problem set. Students with Disabilities We strongly encourage students with disabilities to visit me soon to discuss appropriate accommodations that might be helpful to them. Jean Herbst -- jherbst@wellesley.edu Computer Science 240 Date Created: August 28, 2000 Last Modifed: January 10, 2008