COMP SCI 2CA3 / SFWR ENG 3GA3 - Organization

Instructor

Dr. Emil Sekerinski, ITB 215
office hours (fall term): Tuesdays 14:00 - 16:00.

Teaching Assistants

,

Prerequisites

COMP SCI 1MD3 or ENGINEER 1D04

Calendar Description

Measures of performance, instruction set architecture, computer arithmetic, datapath and control, pipelining, the memory hierarchy, I/O systems, multiprocessor systems, multimedia extensions and graphic processors.

Textbook

• David Patterson, John Hennessy, Computer Organization and Design, Morgan Kaufmann, 2009, 4th edition.
• You have to use the 4th edition of the book!

Topics

• Computer Abstractions and Technology
• Instructions: Language of the Computer
• Arithmetic for Computers
• The Processor
• Exploiting Memory Hierarchy
• Storage, Networks and Other Peripherals
• Multicores, Multiprocessors , and Clusters
• Graphics and Computing GPU's
• Assemblers, Linkers

Evaluation

• Assignment 1: 10%
• Assignment 2: 10%
• Assignment 3: 10%
• Midterm Test 1: 10%
• Midterm Test 2: 10%
• Final Exam: 50%
• Should you miss an assignment or midterm test for a valid reason, its weight will be added to the final exam
  

The instructor and university reserve the right to modify elements of the course during the term. The university may change the dates and deadlines for any or all courses in extreme circumstances. If either type of modification becomes necessary, reasonable notice and communication with the students will be given with explanation and the opportunity to comment on changes. It is the responsibility of the student to check their McMaster email and course websites weekly during the term and to note any changes.