This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2021-2022 (archived)

Module COMP3467: ADVANCED COMPUTER SYSTEMS

Department: Computer Science

COMP3467: ADVANCED COMPUTER SYSTEMS

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Open	3	10	Available in 2021/2022	None.	Durham

Pre-requisites

COMP1071 Computer Systems

Corequisites

None

Excluded Combinations

None

Aims

To provide understanding of the relationship between hardware and software, and the design, implementation and verification of hardware and software in these situations.
To provide understanding of how performance and security of computer systems are affected by their architecture.

Content

Computer Architecture including current processor characteristics and designs
instruction set design
memory systems: cache design and performance
processor architecture and security

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
The relationship between Computer Instruction Sets and High Level Programming Languages;
Complex performance issues of current computers, and the selection of processors for specific applications;

Subject-specific Skills

On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
An awareness of current technology, design analysis, and commercial practice and the ability to bring these together to provide innovative solutions for digital systems.

Key Skills

On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
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

Lectures enable the students to learn new material relevant to modern computer architecture and its implications
Examinations in assess an understanding of core concepts and applications.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours
lectures	22	2 per week	1 hour	22
preparation and reading				78
total				100

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Examination	100%	Examination	2 hours	100%	No

Formative Assessment

Example exercises set and reviewed in lectures

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.