CS2115Computer Organization

What you will study

Course overview

This course aims to introduce digital logic, Boolean algebra and also principles behind the organization of the functional parts of CPU and fundamental components. The course demonstrates computer architecture and programming CISC and RISC microprocessors. It also introduces the basics of assembly language programming.

Official PDF, page 2 · Abstract

Course content

Number Systems. Floating Point. Logic Gates. Combinational Circuit Design. Classical Combinational Circuits. Basic Computer Architecture Model. Classification of Processors. Stages of Instruction Execution. Memory Systems. Memory Mapped I/O, Programmed I/O, Interrupt I/O, DMA. Assembly Programming. Addressing Mode. Stack Operation. Syllabus • Number systems Number representation. Binary arithmetic. Conversion between number systems. Floating point numbers and calculations, IEEE floating point. • Digital logic fundamentals Logic gates and pricinples. Boolean Algebra. Basic combinational circuits. Karnaugh-Map logic simplication. Examples with applications. • Basic computer organization Functional subsystems: CPU, memory, input/output systems. • CPU organization and operations CPU model, Fetch and execute cycle. Control unit and signal, Interrupt cycle, case study on a typical microprocessor. • Assembly instruction and assembly language programming Machine code instruction. Assembly instruction. Assembly language programming. Addressing modes and example of assembly program. • Processor design Instruction pipelining. Classification of Processors. CISC v.s. RISC • Memory system Memory bus, memory access. Cache. • I/O system, bus and interrupt and peripherals Basic model of an I/O system including programmed, Interrupt, DMA.

Official PDF, page 5 · Keyword Syllabus

Intended learning outcomes

View official learning outcomes and conditions

CILOs                                              Weighting (if DEC-A1          DEC-A2          DEC-A3
                                                                  app.)
1              Describe functions of the basic building blocks
               of a digital system.
2              Identify various architectures and explain the                                   x
               design concepts of computer systems.
3              Create the designs of simple digital logic                         x
               circuits.
4              Apply techniques of assembly language to write                     x
               simple programs.
5              Explain and critique the basic operations of                       x             x
               cache and main memory, I/O operations and
               interrupt, as well as analyzing the performance
               of different designs.

Official PDF, page 2 · Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs)

Before you take this course

Check prerequisites, precursors and corequisites separately, together with equivalence and exclusion conditions. “and” means conditions must be met together; “or” marks alternatives. Read combined conditions in the groupings shown in the original text below.

Prerequisites

Nil

Official PDF, page 1 · Prerequisites

Precursors

Nil

Official PDF, page 1 · Precursors

Corequisites

This edition of the official syllabus does not state this item.

Additional course requirements

This edition of the official syllabus does not state this item.

Equivalent courses and conditions

Nil

Official PDF, page 1 · Equivalent Courses

Exclusive courses and conditions

Nil

Official PDF, page 1 · Exclusive Courses

Assessment and passing the course

Assessment

Continuous Assessment (%): 30; Examination (%): 70; Examination Duration (Hours): 2

View the original assessment table and instructions

ATs                CILO No.              Weighting (%)         Remarks ("-" for   Allow Use of
                                                                                    nil entry)         GenAI?
1                    Coursework         1, 2, 3, 4, 5         20                    4 assignments      Yes
2                    Midterm Exam       1, 2, 3, 4, 5         10                    -                  No

Official PDF, page 3 · Continuous Assessment (%),Examination (%),Examination Duration (Hours)

Passing requirements

Minimum Examination Passing Requirement (%): 30 Additional Information for ATs: For a student to pass the course, at least 30% of the maximum mark for the examination must be obtained.

Official PDF, page 3 · Minimum Examination Passing Requirement (%),Additional Information for ATs