433-313 Computer Design

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Computer Science 433-252; and (Electrical Engineering 431-204 or Computer Science 433-251) (from 2000: Electrical Engineering 431-102)

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The objective of this subject is for students: to be able to describe the components of current computer systems as well as their interactions; to be able to evaluate the suitability of a given computer for a given task; to be able to analyse the effects of architectural features on the efficiency of a given program and of programs in general; and to understand the process of computer design.

Topics covered include: Memory hierarchy, processor implementation, pipelining, instruction sets, multiprocessors, input/output, performance measurement, the design process.

Assessment

Project work (expected to take about 36 hours) during semester; and one written examination (not exceeding three hours) at the end of the semester. The project work must be completed satisfactorily to pass the subject. Weighting of assessment components will be advised at the commencement of the subject.