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CM10194: Computer systems architecture 1

[Page last updated: 27 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Computer Science
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 30%, EX 70%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Course Work (CW 30%)
  • Examination (EX 70%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
CM10194 Like for Like, except Group Project, which would be New Individual Project (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before or while taking this module you must take CM10227 OR take XX10190
Description: Aims:
To introduce students to the layers and abstractions of modern computer systems architectures from machine level upwards. To understand the representation, storage, management and transmission of data on the computer and management of resources.

Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this unit students will be able to:
1. demonstrate knowledge of computer architectures and their abstractions, from hardware to the interface with operating systems;
2. identify the machine representation of key data forms and describe their machine level processing;
3. relate various forms of systems architecture and their interactions.

Skills:
Use of IT (T/F, A), Application of Number (T/F, A).

Content:
History of computing (overview). Architectures - non Neumann, Non-von Neumann, SIMD to MIMD. Principles of digital computer operation.
Integer numbers: representations. Floating point numbers: representations, precision and accuracy.
Introduction to digital logic, simplification of Boolean logic.
Input and output: memory maps, polling, interrupts. Buses, devices and device addresses.
Aspects of hardware: such as Arduino, tablets and phones. Introduction to C and developing with SDKs.
Basic assembler concepts: machine codes, instruction execution, addressing modes, CISC v RISC, register use, subroutine calls and the stack.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

CM10194 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Computer Science
  • USCM-AFB06 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science (Year 1)
  • USCM-AAB07 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USCM-AKB07 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • USCM-AFB27 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (Year 1)
  • USCM-AAB27 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USCM-AKB27 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • USCM-AFM01 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science (Year 1)
  • USCM-AAM02 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USCM-AKM02 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • USCM-AFM27 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (Year 1)
  • USCM-AAM27 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USCM-AKM27 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence with Year long work placement (Year 1)

CM10194 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Mathematical Sciences
  • USMA-AFB15 : BSc(Hons) Mathematical Sciences (Year 2)
  • USMA-AAB16 : BSc(Hons) Mathematical Sciences with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USMA-AKB16 : BSc(Hons) Mathematical Sciences with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USMA-AFM14 : MMath(Hons) Mathematics (Year 2)
  • USMA-AAM15 : MMath(Hons) Mathematics with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USMA-AKM15 : MMath(Hons) Mathematics with Year long work placement (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.