CPS 220: General Course Information

Synopsis of Course Content

This course covers topics on advanced computer architecture, and is appropriate for both advanced undergraduates and graduate students. Building on introductory classes which showed how a basic computer functions, this course examines techniques for improving computer performance and usability. This course emphasizes the interaction between hardware and software (operating systems, compilers, and application programs), as well as the cost/performance tradeoffs of computer architecture. Topics covered include virtual memory, pipelining, caches (memory hierarchies), and advanced storage systems. We will also discuss a variety of parallel computer systems and future directions in computer architecture.

Prerequisites: CPS 104 and CPS 110 or equivalent.

It is assumed that you are familiar with the material covered in CPS 104. If you are not familiar with that material, it is your responsibility to become familiar. Please see me if you have any questions about required background.

Textbook

Required: Computer Architecture A Quantitative Approach, 2nd Edition, John L. Hennessy and David A. Patterson, Morgan Kaufmann, 1996

Other: Readings in Computer Architecture, Mark D. Hill, Norman P. Jouppi, and Gurindar S. Sohi, Morgan Kaufmann, 1999

Topics

Fundamentals of Computer Architecture (Chapter 1) 
Instruction Set Architecture (Chapter 2, Appendix C) 
Pipelining (Chapter 3) 
Advanced Pipelining (Chapter 4) 
Memory Hierarchy (Chapter 5) 
Storage Systems (Chapter 6) 
Interconnection Networks (Chapter 7) 
Multiprocessors (Chapter 8) 

Grade To Be Based On:

30% homework 
30% project 
30% exams (Midterm and Final) 
10% class participation 

Important: Qualifying grade is based only on the midterm and final.

Homework (30% of grade):

Homework will be assigned throughout the semester (see homework). You are expected to complete the homework individually. However, I encourage discussion between students on topics covered in this class.

Exams (30% of grade):

Example Midterm
Example Final

There will be one midterm exam and a final in this course (see important dates)

Research Project (30% of grade):

Please see the project page for details.

Last updated: 08/23/99 02:52 PM