Syllabus
ISE390 Special Topic
Introduction to Computer Organization

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Course Information

Semester: Spring 2011
Time: Monday and Wednesday, 6:50PM - 8:10 PM
Location: CS2311
Text:
  1. The Architecture of Computer Hardware, Systems Software, & Networking: An Information Technology Approach , Fourth Edition, Irv Englander, Wiley Press, ISBN#978-0471715429.

Contact Information

Instructor: Dr. Robert Kelly
E-mail: Robert.Kelly@stonybrook.edu
Office hours:

Tuesdays, 1:00PM-2:30PM
Wednesdays, 11:15AM-12:45PM

Office location: Computer Science 2427, 2nd floor.

Content

This course introduces computer organization to students interested in the relationship between computer hardware and information systems. The course examines components found in high use computing devices such as desktop computers, smart phones and navigation systems. The focus of the examination is understanding the underlying technology of each component, along with price/performance curves and competing technologies. Upon completion of the course, student should be proficient in reading device specifications, particularly the functional and performance implications. Students should also be able to use that knowledge to compare competing devices.

Course Objectives

After successfully completing this course, you will:

  1. Understand how numerical and non-numerical data are represented in digital computers,
  2. Understand the functions performed by components of a computer-based device,
  3. Indicate strengths and weaknesses inherent in different components and different architectures, and
  4. Understand the specification sheet of a typical computer-based device.

Lectures and Assignments

The assigned reading for the class is primarily contained in the textbook. However, you will be expected to prepare for certain class discussions by reading additional material, usually found in documents (articles, standards, etc.) available on the Internet. The readings are included in the class notes and in a page on the class Web site.

Topics Textbook
Introduction Chap. 1
Background Chap. 2
Systems  
Number Systems Chap. 3
Data Formats Chap. 4
Integers Sec. 5.1-5.2
Floating Point Sec 5.3
Little Man Computing Chap. 6
CPU Chap. 7
Advanced CPU Issues Chap. 8
Memory  
CPU Examples  
I/O Chap. 9
Peripherals Chap. 10
Networks Chap. 12
Data Communications  
Wireless Communications  
Specialized Components  
Case Study
Project Presentations
 

Assignment Information

Most class assignments will involve preparation for a class discussion. Typically, this preparation will involve reading material beyond the text book as it relates to a single assigned topic. For many class sessions, 2-3 students will be asked to prepare for a discussion on a particular topic. This preparation typically will involve reading references cited in the text, usually about 20-30 pages.

Term Project

Your term project will be a detailed analysis of a computing device of your choice. You will present your work in class, using PowerPoint slides. The presentation will be approximately 30 minutes including questions.

You will also submit some early material, related to your project (e.g., selection of a patent and a brief summary of that patent). You will receive approval if the project is appropriate to the class and if there are no other students analyzing the same patent. When you submit a component of the project, please include the following in the body of the e-mail.

Grades and Exams

This is a three credit graded course. Your final grade is based on a combination of quizzes, a mid-term exam, class presentations, oral communications, and final project. The weighting of the these components is 30/20/10/10/30.

The mid-term exam and the quizzes will be closed book, however most of the questions will be selected from among the review material in the textbook. Your total quiz grade is computed as the total of each quiz grade, with the lowest grade dropped.

Be sure to be there for the assigned examination time since there will be no make-up exams.

The Pass/No Credit (P/NC) option is not available for this course.

Academic Integrity & Behavior

As a student at Stony Brook, you have agreed to follow the university's rules regarding academic honesty and appropriate conduct. You should read both the academic honesty information and procedures and the student code of conduct.

Each student must pursue his or her academic goals honestly and be personally accountable for all submitted work. Representing another person's work as your own is always wrong. Any suspected instance of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Academic Judiciary. For more comprehensive information on academic integrity, including categories of academic dishonesty, please refer to the academic judiciary web site.

Stony Brook University expects students to respect the rights, privileges, and property of other people. Faculty are required to report to the Office of Judicial Affairs any disruptive behavior that interrupts their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning environment, or inhibits students' ability to learn.  

Special Assistance

If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact on your ability to carry out assigned course work, I would urge that you contact the staff in the Disabled Student Services office (DSS) in the ECC building (where the Computer Store used to be), 632-6748v/TDD. DSS will review your concerns and determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation of disability are confidential.

If you need general computer help, you can use the Computer Science Help Desk. Services offered include setting up an account on a department server, using Windows NT, using a browser, and connecting to the campus network. The Help Desk office is located in the SBCS Office - Room 2110.