GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

CS 367 - Computer Systems and Programming

Spring 2010

Instructors:

Section 001:		Section 002:
	Meets: Friday 1:30 - 4:10, Art and Design, Rm. L008		Meets: Tues/Thurs 3-4:15, Innovation Hall, Rm. 134
	Instructor: Prof. Yutao Zhong		Instructor: Prof. Liz White
	yzhong@cs.gmu.edu		white@cs.gmu.edu
	Phone: 703-993-3339		Phone: 703-993-1586
	Office location: Engineering Building, Rm. 5328		Office location: Engineering Building, Rm. 5315

Description

This course provides an introduction to computer systems from a programmer's perspective. Topics include machine-level representation of data and programs, linking and loading, processes, virtual memory and memory allocation.

Course Outcomes

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

Demonstrate an ability to design and implement C programs.
Demonstrate knowledge of computer arithmetic and logic operations and representations of data at the machine-level.
Demonstrate knowledge of machine-level representations of (C) programs.
Demonstrate an ability to use debuggers.
Demonstrate an understanding of object file linking and related ideas such as relocatable object files and symbol resolution.
Demonstrate an understanding of the idea of a process, how processes are created and laid out in memory, how processes use virtual memory, and how they are manipulated via interrupts, signals, and context switches.

Prerequisite

Grade of C or better in CS262 or 222 and ECE 301 or ECE 331.

Readings

The required textbook for this class is Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective by Randal Bryant and David O'Hallaron (Prentice Hall, 2003).

Course Outline

Week 1:	Overview of Computer Systems (Ch 1) & C review
Week 2,3:	Representing & Manipulating Information (Ch 2)
Week 4,5,6,7,8,9:	Machine-level Representation of Programs (Ch 3)
Week 10:	Linking (Ch 7)
Week 11:	Exceptional Control Flow (Ch 8)
Week 12	Ch 8 (cont'd)
Week 13:	Virtual Memory (Ch 10)

Grading

The grade for the course will be based on the following components:
      (i)   Homework Assignments (15%)
      (ii) Lab Assignments (35%)
      (iii) Mid-term exam (25%)
      (iv) Final exam (25%)

All exams are closed book.

Lab Assignments

There will be three to four labs. The relative weight for each assignment is based on the amount of effort that is required. You may work in a group of up to two students on these assignments.

You are expected to abide by the University's honor code and the CS Department's Honor Code and Academic Integrity Policies during the semester. Any violation of the honor code will result in an F for the class.

Class Home Page

All handouts and other course material will be available at the following locations:

367 home page for Section 001 (Dr. Zhong) and

367 home page for Section 002 (Dr. White).

Computer Accounts

Please obtain an IT&E labs account if you do not already have one. Your programs will need to execute correctly on the Linux computers in the IT&E lab since that system will be used while grading your projects.

If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please see me and contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 993-2474. All academic accommodations must be arranged through the DRC.

Calendars

GMU Academic Calendar | GMU Final Exam Schedule | Calendar of Religious Holidays

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE