Instructor: | Huzefa Rangwala [1], Room #4423 Engineering Building, rangwala@cs.gmu.edu [2] |
Time & Location: | Tue: 4:30-7:10 pm, AB 2026 |
Text Book: | Computer Organization and Design by Patterson and Henessey, Fifth Edition Amazon Link [3] |
Teaching Assistant: | TBD |
Office Hours: | Instructor: Tue 2:00-4:00 pm |
TA Hours: TBD |
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
Course Description |
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This course provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts in computer architecture. Topics include: Basic system components, Performance measurements, Instructions and their representation, Number representation, Implementation of Arithmetic operations, Processor organization, Pipelining, The memory hierarchy and concurrent programming |
Course Prerequisites |
(Computer Systems Programming (CS 367)) / Digital Electronics (ECE 301)) OR ECE 303. Students not satisfying the prerequisites will be dropped from the class. |
Course Format |
Lectures will be given by the instructor. Besides material from the textbook, topics not discussed in the book may also be covered. Grading will be based on homework assignments and exams. Homework assignments will require some programming. 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
|
Detailed Class Schedule with Topics Covered and Assignment due dates
will be made available here [4]
HW 0 | 0% |
HW 1 | 10% |
HW 2 | 10% |
HW 3 | 15% |
HW 4 | 15% |
Mid-Term | 20% |
Final Exam | 25% |
Class Participation | 5% |
Surprise Quizzes (Extra) | 5% |
Grade | Score Range |
---|---|
A+ | >98 |
A | 93-97 |
A- | 88-93 |
B+ | 84-88 |
B | 80-84 |
B- | 76-80 |
C+ | 72-76 |
C | 68-72 |
C- | 64-68 |
F | < 64 |
Attendance |
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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. Extra credit i.e., surprise quizzes require classroom attendance and 5% grade is devoted to active discussions in the classroom. |
Email Communication: |
The best form of communication to the TA and instructor is via Piazza/or via email. Please ensure you put "[CS 465]" in the subject header for a timely and quick response. |
Assignment Solutions and Exam Solutions |
Exam and HW solutions cannot be made available online to prevent future classes from plagiarism. Copies will be made available only on the day the graded assignments are returned. |
Assignment Submission |
Please ensure that the assignments are submitted on-time, before class begins (hard-copy and soft-copy). No late submissions. |
Make-Up Exams & Incompletes |
Make up exams and incompletes will not be given for this class. |
Late to Class |
Please arrive to class on-time. Coming late to class is disruptive to your fellow class mates. |
Laptop Policy |
While I am not banning laptops in class, I do expect that students are using laptops for note-taking/slides only. |
Academic Honesty and GMU Honor Code |
Please visit the University's Academic Honesty Page [5] and GMU Honor Code [6] and the CS Department Honor Code [7]. Violating this policy involves getting a failing grade in this 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; www.gmu.edu/student/drc [8]) to determine the accommodations you need; and 2) talk with me to discuss your accommodation needs. |
Links:
[1] http://www.cs.gmu.edu/~hrangwal
[2] mailto:rangwala@cs.gmu.edu
[3] http://www.amazon.com/Computer-Organization-Design-Fifth-Edition/dp/0124077269/ref=dp_ob_title_bk
[4] http://www.cs.gmu.edu/~hrangwal/node/465
[5] http://www.gmu.edu/cte/Teaching/Getting_Started/Designing_Syllabus/academic_honesty.html
[6] http://honorcode.gmu.edu/
[7] http://cs.gmu.edu/wiki/pmwiki.php/HonorCode/HomePage
[8] http://www.gmu.edu/student/drc