East Carolina University
Department of Computer Science

CSCI 4520
Introduction to Computer Architecture
Standard Syllabus

Catalog entry

P: CSCI major; CSCI 2410. Organization of basic elements of computer system, including processor, memory, control unit, and I/O units.

Course summary

This course builds on the knowledge gained from the Digital Electronics course (CSCI 2410) to cover the design of the major subsystems of computers: memory, CPU, and I/O.

Course topics

• Brief review of combinatorial and sequential logic gates and finite state machines.
• Assembly Language, instructions sets.
• Basic computer organization including the fetch-decode-execute cycle.
• Memory subsystem design.
• Register transfer languages.
• CPU design with both hardwired and microsequencer control.
• Introduction to parallel processing.

Student learning outcomes

• Explain the function of the major components of memory, CPU, and I/O subsystems.
• Evaluate design choices for a variety of single processor systems and subsystems.
• Apply design principles for single processor systems to produce architectural designs that meet specified requirements.
• Describe the main components and design challenges of basic parallel processing systems.

Textbook

Computer Systems: Organization & Architecture , John D. Carpinelli Addison Wesley, 2001.

A somewhat older text, but serves nicely for a course that must cover machine organization and assembly language as well as introduce computer architecture. The course should thoroughly cover the first seven chapters along with an introduction to parallel processing. Compressing the review of the first two chapters to less than three weeks can enable more time for advanced topics.

Grading

Grading is a based on a combination of homework assignments, quizzes/exams, and a comprehensive final exam. Representative weightings are 20% for homework, 50% for the quizzes/exams, and 30% for the final exam.

Grade meanings