Computer Organization and Architecture

Catalog description

This course introduces students to the organization and architecture of modern computers. The students will learn a variety of concepts from the stored-program concept and the machine cycle, to the representation of code and data. The basic components of a computer and their functionality are analyzed including processor data path, pipelines, I/O devices, memory hierarchy, and interconnection networks. The instruction set architecture and its importance in reducing the gap between hardware and software is also discussed. Students will also learn how to evaluate computer performance. The course will also include a special project or paper as required and specified by the instructor and the SoECS graduate committee. Prerequisite Course(s): Prerequisite: CSCI 125 or CSCI 502