Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2013-2014 (archived)

Module COMP4021: ADVANCED COMPUTER SYSTEMS IV

Department: Computer Science

COMP4021: ADVANCED COMPUTER SYSTEMS IV

Type	Open	Level	4	Credits	20	Availability	Not available in 2013/14	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 detailed 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
a detailed understanding of one modern advanced high performance microcontroller or microprocessor.

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
an ability to interpret manufacturer's data on an advanced processor in order to create working code which makes use of its advanced features.

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.
There is additional reading associated with this module which is assessed via an exam.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
lectures	31	2 per week in Term 1, 1 per week in Term 2, 0/1 per week in Term 3	1 hour	31
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				149
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