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CPS 220: Computer Systems Organization (Fall 2000)

Room: D106 Levine Science Research Center
Time: Tuesday, Thursday 12:40pm-1:55pm




Instructor: Gershon Kedem
Office: Levine Science Research Center D342.
Phone: 660-6555
Email: kedem@cs.duke.edu.
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 2:10pm-3:10pm (after class) or by appointment.

TA: Haifeng Yu
TA Office: D125 LSRC
TA Office Phone: (919) 660-6576
Email: yhf@cs.duke.edu
TA Office Hours:Monday 11:00am--12:00pm, Wendesday 1:30pm--2:30pm, or by appointment


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

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 pipelining, Superscalar architecture, virtual memory, 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 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.


Grade To Be Based On:

  • 30% homework
  • 30% project
  • 30% exams (Midterm and Final)
  • 10% class participation
  • Important: Quals 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):

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


    o Research Project

    Research Project (30% of grade): TBA

    Important Dates:

  • August 29, First Day of Class
  • September 28 Project selection (email to me)
  • October 12 Projectt selection presentationn in class 5-min.
  • October 13-17 Fall Break
  • October 19 Midterm; In class D106 LSRC
  • October 29 - November 3 Project status reports (to me, in person ~20 min.)
  • November 23-26 Thanksgiving
  • Dec. 4-7 Project presentation, ~20 min per project
  • Dec 11, 4:00pm Final Project Reports are Due.
  • Dec. 11, Final Exam 9am-Noon

    A list of available documents



    Please let me know if I can help!
    Gershon Kedem