CS 367: Computer Systems and Programming

**Class Information**
Class/Sec:	CS 367 (001): Computer Systems and Programming
Instructor:	Huzefa Rangwala [1], Room #4423 EB, rangwala@cs.gmu.edu [2]
Class Time & Location:	Mon/Wed 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm Robinson Hall A111
Text Book:	The required textbook for this class is Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective [3] by Randal Bryant and David O'Hallaron (3rd edition, Prentice Hall, 2015). A reference text for the C programming language is the classic Kernighan and Ritchie book "The C Programming Language" (2nd edition, Prentice Hall, 1988)
Teaching Assistant: TBD	TBD
Office Hours:	Instructor: Monday 2-4 pm in Engineering 4423.
Communication and Class Link:	Piazza Link: Piazza [4] All correspondence will go through Piazza. You can send private messages to the instructors (professor, GTA, UTA) as well as post public questions visible to all students, collaborate on responses, and tag everything by topic.
Lecture Notes and Information:	Posted on Piazza not Blackboard
Project and Homework Submission:	Via Blackboard [5] & Mason Server. Please see individual homework/project instructions.

Please note the syllabus is subject to change to enrich the student's learning experience :). Feel free to email rangwala@cs.gmu.edu [2] for questions, concerns, or even say hi.

**About the Course**
Course 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 dynamic memory allocation.
Course Prerequisites
The prerequisites are automatically and strictly enforced. Grade of C or better in CS 262 (or CS 222), and Grade of C or better in ECE 301 or ECE 331
Course Format
Lectures will be lead by the instructor and will involve lots of interaction and in-class problem solving. Grading will be based on homeworks, projects, exams and in-class quizzes/participation. Homework assignments will require intensive programming and some will be auto-graded. Exams and homework assignments must be done on an individual basis unless stated. Any deviation from this policy will be considered a violation of the GMU Honor Code.
Course Outcomes
As an outcome of taking this class, a student will be able to Demonstrate knowledge of computer arithmetic and logic operations and representations of data at the machine-level. Demonstrate knowledge of machine-level representations of (C) program 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 and how processes use virtual memory. Demonstrate an understanding of dynamic memory allocation and garbage collection schemes.
Course Outline (Tentative and Subject to Change)
Week 1: Introduction and Course Overview; Representing and Manipulating Information (Chapter 2)
Week 2: Chapter 2 (cont'd)
Week 3: Chapter 2 (cont'd)
Week 4: Machine-level Representation of Programs (Chapter 3)
Week 5: Midterm 1; Chapter 3 (cont'd)
Week 6: Chapter 3 (cont'd)
Week 7: Chapter 3 (cont'd)
Week 8: Spring Break
Week 9: Chapter 3 (cont’d)
Week 10: Chapter 3 (cont’d); Midterm II
Week 11: Linking (Ch 7)
Week 12: Dynamic Memory Allocation (Ch 9.9)
Week 13: Memory Hierarchy (Ch 6); Processes and Signals (Ch 8)
Week 14: Chapter 8 cont’d; Virtual Memory (Chapter 9)
Week 15: Chapter 9 (cont’d)

Grading Information

The grade for the course will be based on the following components: (i) Projects/Labs (30%) (ii) Homework (10%) (iii) Quizzes & Class participation (5%) (iv)Two Mid-term exams (15% each) and (v) Final exam (25%). The final exam will be comprehensive in nature, i.e., it will cover the whole course.

There will be three homework assignments and four lab assignments. The relative weight for each assignment is based on the amount of effort that is required.

Grades will be assessed on the following scale:

Grade	Cut-off	Grade	Cut-off	Grade	Cut-off	Grade	Cut-off
A+	98 %	B+	88%	C+	78%	D	60%
A	92 %	B	82%	C	72%	F	0%
A-	90 %	B-	80%	C-	70%

Exam Schedule:

Mid Term I (Mon. 02/20)
Mid Term II (Wed. 03/29)
Final Exam (Mon. 5/15- 10:30 am – 1:15 pm)

**Policies:**
Attendance
Attendance is not compulsory but highly recommended for doing well in the class. This class has lots of active learning exercises, and they will be a lot of fun. 5% of your grade is for in-class quizzes and participation.
Homework/Project Submission
Please ensure that the home-works and projects are submitted on-time. No late submissions are allowed. This is for your learning as there are several assignments and there may be dependencies amongst consecutive assignments.
Make-Up Exams & Incompletes
Make up exams and incomplete grades will not be given for this class.
Contested Grades
If you feel points have been incorrectly deducted, contact the grader. Tests: professor; homework/projects: GTA. If you have not initiated contact within a week of receiving the grade (on BlackBoard or the lecture in which it was first handed out), it is too late. No grade-hunting in the last couple of weeks! We strive to grade each student's work fairly and uniformly, often through specific test cases, which might even be automated as part of the grading process.
Computer Accounts
Please obtain an VS&E labs [6] account. Even if you are using your own computer, your programs need to execute correctly on the Linux computers in the VS&E lab since those systems will be used while grading your projects.
Academic Honesty and GMU Honor Code
You are expected to abide by the University's honor code [7] and the CS Department's Honor Code [8] and Academic Integrity Policies during the semester, i.e., collaboration between students in different groups on an assignment is unacceptable. Any violation of the honor code will result in referral to the honor council with a recommendation that the student be awarded an F for the class.
Disability Statement
If you have a documented learning disability or other condition that may affect academic performance you should: 1) make sure this documentation is on file with the Office of Disability Services (SUB I, Rm. 222; 993-2474;http://ds.gmu.edu/) to determine the accommodations you need; and 2) talk with me to discuss your accommodation needs.