Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)
Module COMP3431: ADVANCED COMPUTER SYSTEMS III
Department: Computer Science
COMP3431: ADVANCED COMPUTER SYSTEMS III
| Type | Open | Level | 3 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2014/15 onwards | Module Cap | None. | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- Introduction to Programming
Corequisites
Excluded Combination of Modules
- Advanced Computer Systems III, Advanced Computer Systems IV
Aims
- To provide an advanced knowledge and understanding of computer architecture.
- To understand the relationship between hardware and software when computers are used as components in engineering systems, and the design, implementation and testing of software in these situations.
Content
- Elements of embedded computer systems.
- Processor characteristics, including RISC and CISC architectures.
- Current processor characteristics and designs.
- Memory Systems.
- Hardware access methods in software, controlling a wide range of common devices in software and an appreciation of assembler programming.
- Instruction set design.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
- a knowledge of the operation of computer hardware for embedded systems
- a knowledge of the operation of a range of current processors required for advanced systems programming
- an understanding of the relationship between Computer Instruction Sets and High Level Programming Languages
- an understanding of complex performance issues of current computers, and the selection of processors for specific applications
- an understanding of the ways in which computer hardware design impacts on performance of operating systems and application software.
Subject-specific Skills:
- On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
- an ability to produce working application software for embedded systems
- an ability to select an appropriate processor for specific applications.
Key Skills:
- On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
- a capacity for self-learning in familiar and unfamiliar situations
- general problem-solving skills.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- The material is taught through lectures and reinforced by design-based problem sheets, leading to the required design and problem solving capability, and laboratory classes, which are continuously assessed in the form of computer programming exercises to test application to real-world problems.
- A summative assignment is used to assess the ability to produce an application within a time limit.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| lectures | 29 | 2 per week in Term 1, 1 per week in Term 2 | 1 hour | 29 | |
| laboratories | 8 | 0/1 per week in Term 1 | 2 hours | 16 | |
| tutorials | 4 | 0/1/2 per week | 1 hour | 4 | |
| reading and preparation | 151 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Coursework | Component Weighting: 60% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Assignments | 66% | No | |
| Benchtest | 34% | No | |
| Component: Examination | Component Weighting: 40% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Computer Architecture | 2 hours | 100% | No |
Formative Assessment:
There are formative assignments on topics wihtin the course. Problem sheets accompany lectures.
■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University