Textbook

Required: Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware / Software Interface, David A. Patterson and John L. Hennessy 5th edition.
Be sure you have the 5th edition with the MIPS instruction set, not the 3rd, 4th edition and not an edition with the ARM instruction set. Get this at the Duke Book Store, Amazon or elsewwhere.

Optional: The C Programming Language, 2nd edition, Kernighan & Ritchie

Communicating Information

We use several forms of communication in this class, primarily Piazza but occassionally we'll send an email via Sakai or DukeHub. I also occassionally announce things in class and/or on the slides from lecture. You are responsible for monitoring all these communication methods to stay up-to-date on class items. We make every attempt to minimize homework modifications, etc. but sometimes it does occur.

Grading

There is no extra credit in this course.

I use a 10 point scale for grading in this course (A 90-100; B 80-89; C 70-79; D 60-79; F < 60), these ranges include - and +, in the event that the course ends up being very, very difficult and everyone scores badly (this rarely happens), then I may shift the thresholds lower (e.g., an 88 could be an A). However, I will never raise the thresholds.

Homework (40% of grade)

Homework includes written, programming and logic design problems. Homework is assigned throughout the semester, on a weekly or biweekly basis. You are expected to complete the homework individually. However, you may discuss high level concepts with other students and staff on topics covered in this class.

Preclass Quizzes (5% of grade)

There is one quiz per lecture. The quizzes are 10 question, multiple choice, and correspond to assigned material (readings, videos, etc.). A quiz must be completed before the corresponding lecture. To facilitate flexibility, quizzes are made available on Sakai approximately one week prior to class and are closed for submission at the start of class.
No late quizzes will be accepted.

Recitations (5% of grade)

Recitaiton grades are based on participation/effort. You are required to attend recitation or fully complete the material prior to the start of the 10:05 AM recitation. If you show up and try to do the work you will get credit; submit whatever you complete during recitation on Sakai. If you are unable to complete the material by the end of recitation, complete it on your own time. For the eager ones, we will attempt to make recitation material available several days early and it may be fully completed prior to the start of recitation and submitted on Sakai; in this case you don't need to attend recitation. See policy below for missed recitations.
No late recitations will be accepted.
To accommodate various issues, such as illnesses, job interviews, etc. You will be granted two missed recitations.

Exams (50% of grade)

There are two in-class midterms (15% each) and one cumulative final exam (20%) in this course.

Policy for Late Homework

For some homeworks close to exams, I may not accept any late submissions since I may release homework solutions prior to the exam.

0-24 hours late: 10% penalty
24-48 hours late: 20% penalty
> 48 hours late: No Credit
Exceptions to this late policy are allowed only for Dean's excuses and short term illnesses as indicated by submitting the Short-term Illness Notification Form. There is an initial Sakai assignment that covers additional information regarding homework submissions and grading.

Policy on Regrading

All regrading requests (homework, exams, etc.) must be submitted within one week of the graded item being returned/available for pickup (i.e., if you don't pick up your exam for two weeks after it is availble, then you can not ask for a regrade).

Policy on Late Add of Course

There are no special accommodations for late enrollment in the course. Missed quizzes will receive a 0, missed recitations will consume allotted free recitations. No homework is due before add/drop, thus no extensions for late add.

Policy for Academic Misconduct

I will not tolerate any academic dishonesty. This includes cheating on the homework, quizzes and exams. I will refer all suspected cases of academic misconduct to the Duke Office of Student Conduct.

What constitutes Academic Misconduct

These are examples and do not represent an exhaustive list of what is considered academic misconduct.