COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

Course Code

KL 159C

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

Notes

Assistive technologies may be required for any student who is unable to use a standard keyboard/mouse/computer monitor. Any students wishing to discuss this further should contact the School Disability
Co-ordinator.

Overview

• Basics: Number Systems (Decimal Binary Hexadecimal); Binary Addition; Logic Gates; Transistors; Power Consumption; Boolean Algebra; Multiplexer/Decoders/Timing; Latches and Flip-Flops; Finite State Machines.


• Building Blocks: Arithmetic Circuits; Number Systems (Fixed-Point, Floating-Point);Memory Arrays; Logic Arrays.
  
• Assembly Language, Machine Language: Addressing Modes; Program execution: heaps and stacks.


• Microarchitecture: Single-Cycle Processor; Multicycle Processor; Pipelined Processor.


• Memory Systems: Caches; Virtual Memory.

Structure

2 x 1 hour recorded lectures uploaded onto MyAberdeen, 1 x 1 hour online practical and 1 x 1 hour online tutorial per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 x two-hour written examination (50%); continuous assessment (20%); practical coursework (30%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (50%); continuous assessment carried forward (50%).

Formative Assessment

Feedback will be provided from the dedicated tutor.