ECE 49500 - Introduction to Computer Systems Engineering and Programming

Note:

Spring 2009 CRN 34110

Course Details

Lecture Hours: 3 Credits: 3

Counts as:

Experimental Course Offered:

Fall 2008, Spring 2009

Catalog Description:

This is designed as a first course in computing based on the fundamental principles of computer systems, starting from the basics and developing in an integrated and inductive fashion to the most innovative modern technologies, such as the multicore processors that enable advances in computing for applications such as Google, YouTube, pharmaceutical development, and gaming. The course uses teamwork, collaboration, and synthesis projects to further the learning process. Students will learn from a practical (rather than abstract) perspective how individual components work and how those components fit together to form modern computing systems.

Required Text(s):

  1. Introduction to Computing Systems , Yale N. Patt and Sanjay J. Patel , McGraw Hill , 2003 , ISBN No. 0072467509

Recommended Text(s):

None.

Learning Outcomes:

A student who successfully fulfills the course requirements will have demonstrated:
  1. an understanding of the principles of digital logic design. [a,b,c,e,k]
  2. an understanding of the principles of assembly programming. [a,b,c,e,k]
  3. an understanding of the principles of high-level programming in C. [a,b,c,e,k]
  4. an understanding of the principles of multicore program design. [a,b,c,e,I,j,k]
  5. an understanding of how computer system components work together. [a,b,c,e,i,k]

Lecture Outline:

Hours Principal Topics
1 Motivation
9 Digital Logic Principles
5 Computer Organization
8 Low-level (assembly) programming (including I/O)
7 High-level programming in C
6 Multicore programming
3 Operating systems and networking
5 Exams, review sessions, etc.

Assessment Method:

A student who receives a passing grade must have satisfied all of the course outcomes to some minimum degree. By awarding the student a passing grade, the instructor confirms that all of the outcomes have been satisfied. Outcomes based on material covered only during the final week or two of the course should be avoided. Students will have opportunities to demonstrate mastery of the course outcomes in various homework assignments and through exam questions.