The University of Adelaide
Course Outlines

COMP SCI 3005 - Computer Architecture

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2019

Fundamentals of computer design; quantifying cost and performance; instruction set architecture; program behaviour and measurement of instruction set use; processor datapaths and control; pipelining, handling pipeline hazards; memory hierarchies and performance; I/O devices, controllers and drivers; I/O and system performance.

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  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code COMP SCI 3005
    Course Computer Architecture
    Coordinating Unit Computer Science
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 2.5 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites One of COMP SCI 1007, COMP SCI 1009, COMP SCI 1103, COMP SCI 1203, COMP SCI 2103, COMP SCI 2202 or COMP SCI 2202B
    Assumed Knowledge COMP SCI 2000
    Assessment Written exam and/or assignments
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Peter Ashenden

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

     
    1 Discuss how a modern computer works
    2 Explain how it supports execution of software
    3 Explain how design alternatives affect performance and cost

     
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    		 1 - 3
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    		 2
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    		 3
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Computer Organization & Design, RISC-V Edition, Patterson & Hennessy, MKP, ISBN 9780128122754 (print) or 9780128122761 (ebook).
    Online Learning
    Course materials are online at the School of Computer Science's Moodle web site.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Students are expected to engage in self-directed learning from the textbook for the course and related resources. Guidance will be provided, specifying sections of the textbook to be studied in each week of the semester.

    There will be one 2-hour lecture each week covering the specified sections of the textbook. Selected exercises from the textbook will be suggested for practice, and sample solutions will be made available for reference at the end of each week.

    Homework problems based on the specified sections of the textbook will be set throughout the semester. Students will be required to submit solutions for assessment.

    There will be a practical assignment involving programming work related to the textbook material.

    Collaborative learning is supported through on-line discussion forums on the School of Computer Science's Moodle web site. Teaching staff will participate in the discussion forums.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    • Lectures: 2 hours contact per week
    • Exercises and homework problems: Approximately 2 to 3 hours per week
    • Assignment: Approximately 2 to 3 hours per week
    Learning Activities Summary
    Self-directed study of the textbook for the course.

    Weekly lectures and practice exercises. Homework problems. Programming assignment.

    Course material and discussion forums available on-line.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Not applicable
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative
    		Due (week)*
    		 Hurdle criteria Learning outcomes CBOK Alignment**
    Quizzes 10 individual summative 3,6,9,12 1. 2. 1.1 1.2 3.1
    Homework 30 individual formative 3,6,9,12 2. 1.1 1.2 3.1 4.3
    Practical 30 individual summative 6,12 Min 40% 3. 1.1 1.2 3.1 4.3
    2hr 30 individual summative exam period Min 40% 3. 1.1 1.2 3.1 4.3
    Total 100
    * The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.
     
    This assessment breakdown complies with the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.
     
    This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.

    **CBOK is the Core Body of Knowledge for ICT Professionals defined by the Australian Computer Society. The alignment in the table above corresponds with the following CBOK Areas:

    1. Problem Solving
    1.1 Abstraction
    1.2 Design

    2. Professional Knowledge
    2.1 Ethics
    2.2 Professional expectations
    2.3 Teamwork concepts & issues
    2.4 Interpersonal communications
    2.5 Societal issues
    2.6 Understanding of ICT profession

    3. Technology resources
    3.1 Hardware & Software
    3.2 Data & information
    3.3 Networking

    4. Technology Building
    4.1 Programming
    4.2 Human factors
    4.3 Systems development
    4.4 Systems acquisition

    5.  ICT Management
    5.1 IT governance & organisational
    5.2 IT project management
    5.3 Service management 
    5.4 Security management
    Assessment Related Requirements
    In order to pass, you need to get at least 40% in each of the following assessment components:
    • practical assignment
    • written exam
    Otherwise, your final mark is capped at 44 F
    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission

    No information currently available.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines

    This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.

  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
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The University of Adelaide
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