55:035 - Computer Architecture and Organization

Spring 2009

Basic concepts; computer evolution, register transfer level design, simulation techniques, instruction sets (CISC and RISC), ALU design, arithmetic algorithms and realization of arithmetic functions, hardwired and microprogrammed control, memory hierarchies, virtual memory, cache memory, interrupts and DMA, input/output; introduction to high-performance techniques, pipelining, multiprocessing.

55:032 and 57:017 (meaning: you must have successfully attended these courses before taking this one!)

David Matthews
Office Hours: 9:30 - 10:30 AM Monday, Wednesday, Friday (or by appointment)
Office Location: 1126 SC
Email: dmatthew@engineering.uiowa.edu

Nick Kiguta
Office Hours:
Office Location: 1313 SC
Email: nicholas-kiguta@uiowa.edu

Hamacher, Vranesic, and Zaky: Computer Organization, fifth edition, McGraw Hill, 2002. (ISBN 0-07-232086-9)

There is often confusion about homework collaboration. While it is fully acceptable to discuss the class material with your colleagues and friends, the assignments are to be worked on individually. Therefore, students who submit identical or highly similar homework solutions will be asked to confer with the instructor on the allocation of credit for the assignment. Penalties for academic misconduct range from 0 points on a homework assignment along with a mandatory reduction of the final letter grade to a non-droppable F-grade for the entire course!

Homework submissions (on paper) are generally due at the begin of each class. After class, they will still be accepted until noon of the same day with a deduction of 10% of the total points for this assignment. Beyond that, any late homework will be accepted only in cases where an approved exception has been granted prior to the class in which it is due.

Projects have to be submitted electronically at or before the time stated on the assignment, which will also state any specific late-submission rules for that assignment.

Midterm - Wednesday, March 11, 2009 - 8:30-9:20 AM
If anyone has any known conflicts with this exam, you must notify me before Feb 6. No exceptions!