COMP SCI 3005NA - Computer Architecture
Ngee Ann Academy - Trimester 3 - 2014
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code COMP SCI 3005NA Course Computer Architecture Coordinating Unit Computer Science Term Trimester 3 Level Undergraduate Location/s Ngee Ann Academy Units 3 Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Cruz Izu
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
To develop an understanding of
- How a modern computer works
- How it supports execution of software
- How design alternatives affect performance and cost
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1,2,3 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1,2,3 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 3 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1,2,3 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Computer Organization and Design, Fifth Edition: The Hardware/Software Interface by D. A. Patterson and J L Hennessy, By Morgan Kaufmann
Note: the 4th Edition is also ok.Recommended Resources
Advanced reading Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach, 4th Edition, Hennessy & Patterson, MKP, 2007Online Learning
Web page All course materials including lecture slides and assignment descriptions will be available on the course website. https://cs.adelaide.edu.au/users/third/ca
Bulletin Board (Moodle)
We will be using the Moodle bulletin board facility. All general questions relating to the course and its content must be posted to the bulletin board. Any changes to the assessment requirements will be posted to the bulletin board. A link to the bulletin board is available on the course website. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Essential information will be provided to students at lectures and tutorials and online at the course forum.
Student should attend all lectures and regularly checked the course forum to ensure they do not miss any important information.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Lectures: 24 hours
Tutorial: 5 hours
Assignments: up to 48 hours
Background reading / revision: up to 72 hoursLearning Activities Summary
No information currently available.
Specific Course Requirements
During the course there will be lectures covering the following topics
- Computer abstractions and technology
- Instruction set architecture
- Computer arithmetic
- Processor datapaths, pipelining, and instruction-level parallelism
- Memory hierarchies
- Storage and I/O systems
- Multiprocessors
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Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
The assessment will comprise
- a written examination, summative assessment on objectives 1-3 worth 70% of the final mark.
- two programming assignments, worth 30% of the final mark, which are listed below with approximate deadlines. All assignments are formative.
Assignment Topic Due Date Weighting Instruction Set Architecture 5pm 16th October 2014 15% Memory Hierarchy 5pm 14tth November 2014 15% Assessment Related Requirements
If the examination mark is less than 40%, the final mark for the course will be capped at 44.
If the assignment mark is less than 40%, the final mark for the course will be capped at 44.Assessment Detail
All practical assignments involve writing programs, which will be marked by automatic testing scripts. You are strongly encouraged to begin the exercises early, and to test your own program thoroughly.
If you submit your work at the last minute, and hope to use the automated test script to help you debug your program, you will be disappointed, and will probably end up submitting late.Submission
All practical assignments must be submitted using the School of Computer Science online Web Submission System. Details are included in each assignment description on the course website.
If you hand in your work late, your mark may be capped, based on how many days late it is, as follows:
1 day late — mark capped at 75%
2-3 days late — mark capped at 50%
4-5 days late — mark capped at 25%
More than 5 days late — no marks available.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
