CS 231: Computer Organization

2003 Fall Semester

General Information:

2003 Fall Semester

Meeting Place: 306 FGH

Meeting Time:   MWF 9:10am – 10am

Prerequisite: CS201 (no exceptions) 

Text: Structured Computer Organization, Fourth Edition, by Andrew S. Tanenbaum, Prentice-Hall, 1999. ISBN 0-130-95990-1

Course Objective:

The objective of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the components of a computer and how they work. This knowledge will be utilized in subsequent Computer Science and Computer Engineering courses. Topics to be covered include:

a)      levels and virtual machines,

b)      digital logic level,

c)      microarchitecture level, and

d)      instruction set architecture level.

By the end of the semester you will be able to:

a)      Identify the layers or levels of a computer used in structured computer organization.

b)      Recognize the interconnected system of processors, memories and input/output devices that comprise digital computers.

c)      Describe the Boolean algebra of the basic elements and fundamental circuits from which all computers are constructed.

d)      Analyze the microcode that implements a particular ISA (Instruction Set Architecture).

e)      Evaluate the cost versus performance question as it pertains to microcode.

f)        Describe methods used to improve system (primarily CPU and memory) performance.

Grading Breakdown and Schedule:

Homework and quizzes                          7%      

Exam I                                                 15%     Wednesday, September 24

Exam II                                                15%     Friday, October 17

Exam III                                               15%     Friday, November 21

Cumulative Final Exam                          20%     Saturday, December 20 (2pm – 5pm)

Team Programming Assignments           28%

Grading Policy:

Grading for this class will not be the standard 90, 80, 70, and 60. Your final numeric grade will be a weighted summation of all the assignments, but curved according to the performance of the entire class. Each exam will have a minimum class average of 75. I will not curve down! Midterm grades will be based upon your relative performance on the assignments given before drop day. 

In-Class Exams:

There are three fifty-minute in-class exams. They are closed-book and closed-notes. Each exam focuses on the material covered since the last exam. However, due to the cumulative nature of the material, all exams are comprehensive (i.e., they may draw on all material covered in the class thus far.)

Final Exam:

The final exam covers all material covered in the class. It is a closed-book, closed-notes exam.

Missed Exam Policy:

Exams are taken at the scheduled class time or at the scheduled final period. In the rare case when this is not possible, a make-up exam may be possible. However, this must be approved by the instructor before the scheduled exam time. Make-up exams are not guaranteed to be the same as the exam given in class. If arrangements have not been made in advance, a missed exam will be recorded as a zero. Family deaths and extreme medical emergencies are handled specially. 

Policy on W and I Grades

Vanderbilt policy allows you to withdraw from a course with a grade of W on or before Friday October 24th. After this date, your instructor cannot give you a W, but must assign you a grade based on your work.

This course has been designed so that you can complete all the work in one semester. Thus incomplete grades will be given only in the most exceptional circumstances, and then only by prior arrangement. The professor has the final say in this matter.

Online Course Information

It is my intent to provide course management using Prometheus. In the event that certain technical issues are not resolved in a timely manner, I will create a class web page to facilitate the dissemination of course information.

Attendance:

Since class lectures include material that is not included in the book, class attendance is required. If a class is missed, a student should make arrangements to get notes from other students. The importance of regular class attendance and good note taking cannot be understated. Students are responsible for all material covered in class and posted online, including changes in exam schedules announced in class. 

Team Programming Assignments:

Students will write programs working in teams of three. The signatures of the team members on a programming assignment indicate that the work is that of the team members, possibly aided by the instructor and/or TA. There will be three or four programming assignments during the semester. At the end of each assignment, you will evaluate the other members of your team on the quality and quantity of their contributions and cooperation. This team evaluation will comprise 10% of an individual's grade for the programming assignment. The instructor will assign teams. You are only allowed to get help on your team programming assignments from your team members, the instructor or the TA.

Homework:

Homework will consist of questions from the end of the chapters in the textbook, as well as written answers to discussion questions. Homework problems at the end of the book will be assigned and listed on Prometheus or the class web page. All assignments are due at the start of class on the specified due date; late homework will NOT be accepted. If exceptional circumstances preclude the timely submission of an assignment, please inform me before the due date (if this is not possible, then as soon thereafter as feasible) to allow alternative arrangements to be made.

Honor Code:

The Honor Code of Vanderbilt University applies to all work done in CS 231. Unless your instructor specifically states otherwise in writing, this work comprises homework, laboratory exercises, programming assignments, tests, and the final examination. You may neither receive unauthorized help with this work nor give help to someone who is not permitted to receive it. It is permitted to receive help from team members for programming assignments. Constructive discussion of homework problems is encouraged and permitted. Comparing homework methods and answers is encouraged and permitted. Copying the work of another student is expressly forbidden; the final presentation of your work must be done by you alone. There will be no interaction between students during the exams. It is also considered a violation of the honor code to have someone else sign your name on the attendance sheet or to sign someone else's name on the attendance sheet.

Office Hours

You are always welcome at my office hours. If you are not able to make my office hours, contact me and we will make arrangements to meet.

The following is my office hour rule: If there are 3 or more people waiting to see me, then the student in my office is limited to 15 minutes of help. After 15 minutes, the person in my office will be required to go to the end of the line and wait for another turn.

General Notes on Communicating with the Instructor

My office telephone number is 322-1507. However, the best way to communicate with me outside of class hours is via e-mail. Please feel free to use e-mail to set up an appointment, or if something is unclear, or for anything else at all. I ask that the e-mail subject line includes the following text:

CS231

This will allow me to identify your e-mails. Generally speaking I attempt to answer all student inquiries as soon as possible. That said please keep in mind the following two facts:

1. You should not expect me to answer email or phone calls after I leave campus, 6pm Monday through Friday. You will receive a reply at my first opportunity the next day.

2. As well, I am not guaranteed to answer email or phone calls over the weekend. If you leave a message for me over the weekend, you should not expect a reply until Monday.

If I will be away for an extended period, I will let you know my email availability prior to my departure.

Ice:

If the roads are covered with ice I will not be able to drive to Vanderbilt. If class is canceled, I will send a broadcast e-mail to all students if ice is preventing me from driving to Vanderbilt.

Disabilities:

Vanderbilt is committed to equal opportunity for students with disabilities. If you have a physical or learning disability, you should ask the Opportunity Development Center to assist you in identifying yourself to your instructors as having a disability, so that appropriate accommodation may be provided. Absent notification, your instructors assume that you have no disability or seek no accommodation.

Emergency Evacuation Plans:

In the event of a fire or other emergencies, the occupants of this class should collect coats and personal belongings and leave the building according to the designated evacuation plan for the classroom:

306 Seminar Room S Middle FGH – take Stairway 1 to Tower Lobby exit to lawn in front of McTyeire

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY POLICY FORBIDS REENTRY TO A BUILDING IN WHICH AN ALARM HAS OCCURRED WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION BY VANDERBILT SECURITY.

Disclaimer:

Every effort has been made to provide accurate information in this document. However, I reserve the right to make changes to any facet of the course should circumstances warrant it. Any such changes will be announced in the lecture.