Course Description

This course is a study of the major features of hardware and software components of a computer system. Computer architecture topics include processor and memory organization, address and instruction formats, computer arithmetic, and interrupts. Operating systems topics include process and memory management, device and resource management, virtual memory, interprocess communication, deadlock, and security.

Prerequisites: CIS-117 and CIS-135.

Course Objectives

• To understand data representations commonly used in computer systems.
• To understand the basic hardware components of a computer system and how those components interact.
• To understand key elements of operating systems software and other high-level software commonly used in business today.
• To recognize and understand the business impact of particular hardware and/or software implementations.

Textbook

Englander; The Architecture of Computer Hardware and Systems Software, 3rd edition; Wiley, 2003. ISBN: 0-471-07325-3.

Assessment

Grades are based on the following assessment items:

• Assignments (7): 30%
• Tests (2): 40%
• Final Exam: 25%
• Class Participation: 5%

Assignments

Assignments will be written and will consist of textbook problems, or similar type problems. Some assignments may include some light programming.

A tentative assignment schedule will be posted in a password-protected area of your instructor's web site.

Tests

Tests will be written and will consist of short-answer questions, problems, and essays.

For classes that meet one evening per week, the test period will be during the second half of the class meeting.

Final Exam

The format for the final exam will be the same as that of the tests, but longer. The final exam is comprehensive.

Class Participation

Students who are active and attentive members of the class, and who contribute to the class from time to time, will receive 5 points for class participation. Students who fall short of this expectation will receive fewer points, commensurate with their level of participation. Also, students who do not abide by Classroom Protocol guidelines will receive a reduced class participation grade.

Course Schedule

The following is a tentative schedule for the course, and may be adjusted as necessary throughout the semester.

Dates	Topic	Reading
8/29	Number Systems	1, 2.1-2.6
9/12	Representing Integer Data	4
9/19	Floating Point Numbers Character Data	5.1-5.3, 5.6-5.9, 3.1-3.2
9/26, 10/3	Little Man Computer CPU and Memory	6, 7
10/3	Test 1
10/17	Instruction Addressing Modes CPU and Memory	S2, 8.1-8.3
10/24	Input/Output	9
10/31	Computer Peripherals	10
11/7, 11/14	Operating Systems Overview Users View of the Operating System	10, 14
11/14	Test 2
11/21	The Internal Operating System	15
11/28	File Management	16
12/5	Programming Tools	17
12/12	Three Operating Systems	18
TBA	Final Exam