Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2015-2016 (archived)

Module COMP4021: ADVANCED COMPUTER SYSTEMS IV

Department: Computer Science

COMP4021: ADVANCED COMPUTER SYSTEMS IV

Type Open Level 4 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2015/16 Module Cap 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 systematic 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
  • a critical awareness 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 critically evaluate processors 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 and to do this independently.
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: Continuous Assessment Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Real Time Computing Assignments 100% No
Component: Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Computer Architecture 2 hours 100% No

Formative Assessment:

There are formative assignments on topics within 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