Readings will be regularly assigned from the textbook.
Lectures will assume that students have already read the assigned chapters, and periodic reading quizzes may be assigned in D2L.
Overview of computer hardware and software with emphasis on computer architecture and machine level programming. Topics include digital logic, assembly languages, memory management, caching, pipelining, bus architecture, interrupts and I/O processing. Brief introduction to operating system components: memory management, input/output, file management, scheduling, resource management, layered operating system design.
Provide all students with a broad foundation in the fundamental concepts of computer hardware and systems software.
Student grades will be assigned based on evaluation of homework, projects, exams, and participation, as described below:
Expected Performance Curve:
| A | [93-100] |
| AB | [89-93) |
| B | [83-89) |
| BC | [79-83) |
| C | [73-79) |
| CD | [69-73) |
| D | [63-69) |
| F | below 63 |
Grades will be routinely posted in the gradebook on the course D2L site, as they become available.
Student attendance will not be explicitly tracked in this course, and will not directly impact student grades. However, students who routinely miss class discussions or lectures should expect to be unprepared to complete the assignments and exams upon which grades so heavily depend. In short, we don't bother with attendance bean-counting because students who cut class usually fail themselves out of the course before we would need to take any action. Make good decisions.
If you know you will be missing class for a legitimate reason, we appreciate a heads-up, but in accordance with Marquette University Attendance Policies, we neither require nor accept documented excuses. Please have a peer in the class take notes in your absence, and get any assignments in ahead of the deadline.
The size and structure of this course will not normally allow us to accept late work under any circumstances. There are enough opportunities for points in the course for most students to miss a few without severe consequences for their grades.
Based on feedback from previous semesters, we are augmenting this course with laboratory sections this term. To accommodate the number of students, three lab times will be offered each week: Wednesdays 2-3pm, 3-4pm, and 4-5pm. Digital logic sessions and Programming sessions in October through December will be held in Cudahy 310.
* - This remains a 3-credit course, so we do not require attendance in lab, or require assignments be completed during laboratory. Rather, this time is offered to allow students ample opportunity to practice the skills and knowledge required to complete the assignments and exam questions.
All students are expected to abide by Marquette University's Policy on Academic Integrity, and we will proceed under the assumption that everyone has committed themselves to the University's Honor Pledge:
I recognize the importance of personal integrity in all aspects of life and work. I commit myself to truthfulness, honor, and responsibility, by which I earn the respect of others. I support the development of good character, and commit myself to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity as an important aspect of personal integrity. My commitment obliges me to conduct myself according to the Marquette University Honor Code.
The Honor Code has particular implications for computer scientists and engineers, as well as computing professors, whose course work is so readily duplicated and shared in our modern digital world.
For our part, we will strive to ensure that your assignments and exams are engaging, challenging, and worth your investment in time and energy. For your part, we expect you will work hard, strive to learn, and present your work with honesty and integrity.
There will be many opportunities for you to collaborate with your peers in this course, and we strongly encourage you both to seek help when you are stuck, and to share your knowdledge with your peers when you have achieved understanding. Problems will only occur if you falsely claim work as your own when it is not, or collaborate when an exam or assignment has been specified to be individual work.
In the unlikely event of an academic integrity violation in this course, Marquette University's Procedures For Incidents of Academic Dishonesty will be closely followed.
You are expected to conduct yourself in a professional manner. This means that you will come to class on time and prepared to participate. You will do the reading in a timely manner. You will start work on all assignments as soon as they are given to you.
Marquette University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its education for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in your class please contact the MU Office of Disability Services, Marquette Hall, Suite 05, 1217 W. Wisconsin Avenue, (414) 288-1645, ods@marquette.edu
| Week | Topics | Readings | Notes/Demos | Assignments |
| 01 | Introduction, Digital Logic | Ch 1 | ||
| 02 | Digital Logic | Ch 2 | #1 Digital Logic | |
| 03 | Combinational and Sequential Logic | #2 Sequential Logic | ||
| 04 | Data Representation | Ch 3 | #3 Representation | |
| 05 | Processors, Pipelines | Ch 4 | #4 Basic ARM Assembly | |
| 06 | Instruction Sets, RISC | Exam #1 | ||
| 07 | Assembly Languages | Ch 5 | #6 Medium ARM Assembly | |
| 08 | Addressing Modes | Ch 6 | Midterm Break | |
| 09 | Activation Records | Ch 7, 8 | #6 Activation Records | |
| 10 | CISC | Ch 9, 10 | #7 Memory | |
| 11 | Memory and Storage | Ch 11 | Exam #2 | |
| 12 | Virtual Memory | Ch 12 | #8 Final Assembly | |
| 13 | Caches | Ch 13 | Thanksgiving Break | |
| 14 | I/O | Ch 14, 15 | #9 Beginning C Programming | |
| 15 | Buses, Interrupts | Ch 16 | #10 Larger C Program | |
| Final | Exam #3 |