Dissecting The Modern Computer

Catalog description

In this course, students will be given a high-level, accessible introduction to computer architecture through the use of the RISC-V ISA. Through a series of interactive units, students will learn about the inner-workings of computers, from the execution of our programs all the way down to the hardware that runs them. Topics include simple digital circuits, assembly, simple processors, memory systems (Cache, DRAM, Disk), and bonus topics like GPU's. After completing this class, students should have a newfound appreciation for how incredible computational technology is, as well as direction to fantastic classes that delve into some of these topics in more detail, like CS149, EE108, and EE180. Prerequisite: CS106B.