CMSC 411: Computer Architecture

Fall 2013 / 3 credits

TuTh 2:30-3:45, ITE 233

Instructor: Dr. Marc Olano (olano@umbc.edu)
ITE 354 (455-3094); Office Hours: W 3:30-5:00, Th 1:00-2:15

TA: Chi Zhang (chzhang1@umbc.edu)
ITE 340; Office Hours: Tu 10:00-11:00, We 9:30-10:30

Prequisite: C or better in CMSC 313 or CMPE 212 & CMPE 310

Text: David Patterson and John Hennessy, Computer Organization and Design, The Hardware/Software Interface, 4th Edition. Morgan Kaufmann, ISBN 978-0-12-374493-7

Description

This course covers the design of complex computer systems making heavy use of the components and techniques discussed in CMSC 313, CMPE 212 and CMPE 310. All parts of the computer system - CPU, memory and input/output - are discussed in detail. Topics include information representation, floating-point arithmetic, instruction set design issues (RISC vs. CISC), microprogrammed control, hardwired control, pipelining, memory caches, bus control and timing, input/output mechanisms and issues in the construction of parallel processors

Course Outcomes

1. In-depth understanding of the inner-workings of modern computers, their evolution, and trade-offs present at the hardware/software boundary
2. Broad knowledge of the state of the art in computer architectures
3. Familiarity with performance metrics and benchmarks
4. General knowledge of advances in microelectronics and their implication on computer design
5. Experience the design process in the context of a reasonable size hardware
6. Exposure to design tools and validation setup

Grades

Grades will be based on homework (20%), a team project (25%), a midterm exam (25%) and a final exam (30%).

Homework is due by the begining of class on the date due. Late homework will not be accepted, and will receive a grade of 0.

Academic Honesty

By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in UMBC's scholarly community in which everyone's academic work and behavior are held to the highest standards of honesty. Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and helping others to commit these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty, and they are wrong.

Specifically for this course, it is acceptable to use the text, instructor and TA. All written homework must be entirely solved and written by you. All programs must consist of either code given to you by the instructor or TA for the class, or code you personally wrote.

Schedule

Online resources

• This class page: (This syllabus online, where you can follow all of the following links). Important announcements and updates will be made to this class web page throughout the semester. I will announce at the beginning of class if I make a significant change or addition.