CSCI 226 / Spring 2024
Computer Systems and Organization
This course is intended for students who are majoring or minoring in Computer Science.
This course covers fundamental topics related to the design and organization of a modern computing system, including basic digital logic design, machine level representation of data, microcode, assembly language and organization (to understand how high-level programs are converted into low-level instructions that can be executed by hardware, and how programs interface and communicate with other devices), memory organization (and how it may affect the performance of programs), management and architecture, program segmentation and linking, multi-tasking and some operating system features.
I intend for every student to feel their voice is welcome in this course. My goal is to create a learning environment that supports each of you and embraces the diversity that you all bring. All members of the class are expected to be respectful and supportive of each other's ideas and identities, even when they disagree. Even when discussing narrow technical matters, racism, sexism, and other hidden assumptions can appear, and there are difficult ethical dimensions to everything we do as computer scientists. I will endeavor to point these out when they appear, and to check my own assumptions about your past experiences and perspectives. We all make mistakes that can impact others. but I hope that by committing to listen reflectively, and without defensiveness, we can build a strong and inclusive community. Please let me know if there is anything in class meetings, in office hours, in study sessions, or elsewhere that troubles you or makes you feel uncomfortable or unvalued. Even for events outside of the classroom, I welcome and appreciate any suggestions you have pertaining to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
If you prefer to speak with someone outside the course, please do not hesitate to reach out to any other faculty, the class deans, department members of the student advisory council, or others you feel more comfortable speaking with.
Also, if you have a name and/or set of pronouns that differ from those that appear on my class roster, please let me know!
Recommended, but not required. We only loosely follow the structure in
this book, but you may find it useful for additional exercises, a second point
of view, or alternative explanation for many of the topics we cover. Even if you
do not purchase the book, I will provide all material needed for the class.
Computer Organization and Architecture, 5th edition (2018) or a previous edition
Linda Null and Julia Lobur,
Jones and Bartlett, 2018.
5th edition ISBN: 978-1-284-12303-6
4th edition ISBN: 1-2840-4561-7 / 978-1-2840-4561-1
3rd edition ISBN: 1-4496-0006-9 / 978-1-4496-0006-8
The Academic Integrity Policy.
The Accessibility Services Statement.
Note: Consistent with applicable federal and state law, this course may be video/audio recorded as an accommodation only with permission from the Office of Accessibility Services.
We provide many video presentations of course material separately in CANVAS. In this way, students can preview/review material from each class period without the need to record the class interaction itself.
Note: Use of laptops in class is not allowed, unless a student has a letter from the office of disability services.