Computer Science 464/664 - Section 1
Introduction to Computer Architecture
Spring 2004

This file can be found in http://www.cs.clemson.edu/~mark/464.html

Objectives: Survey of concepts and performance evaluation for computer architectures.

Prerequisite: CPSC 330 or equivalent

Meetings: 1:25-2:15 MWF, Daniel Hall 408

Required Text: J. Hennessy and D. Patterson, Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach, third edition.

Online Appendices:
Appendix C - A Survey of RISC Architectures for Desktop, Server, and Embedded Computers (PDF)
Appendix D - An Alternative to RISC: The Intel 80x86 (PDF)
Appendix E - Another Alternative to RISC: The VAX Architecture (PDF)
Appendix F - The IBM 360/370 Architecture for Mainframe Computers (PDF)
Appendix G - Vector Processors Revised by Krste Asanovic (PDF)
Appendix H - Computer Arithmetic by David Goldberg (PDF)

Instructor: Mark Smotherman, 441 Edwards Hall, mark@cs.clemson.edu, 656-5878
Office Hours: 2:30-4 MW; also email or call since I'm usually available at other times

Projects: There will be two required projects for graduate students.

  1. Disk Benchmarking

  2. SMP cache coherency

Undergraduate students (i.e., those enrolled in 464) are not required to do the projects.

Extra Credit Projects: Extra credit projects will not be accepted this semester.

Grading:

Undergraduate students: Homework (20%), two in-class exams (50%), and final exam (30%).

Graduate students: Homework (15%), projects (20%), two in-class exams (40%), and final exam (25%).

Homework and projects are due by 4:00 pm on due dates. Projects can be turned in up to three days late; 1 day late = 10% penalty, 2 days late = 20% penalty, 3 days late = 40% penalty. Normal class attendance is recommended but not graded; however, attendance at the scheduled exams is required -- an absence will be counted as a zero unless you have an excused absence. Please wait for up to 15 minutes should I be late to class. Note that the last day to drop without record is January 21; last day to drop without grades is February 27.

Clemson statement of Academic Integrity: "As members of the Clemson University community, we have inherited Thomas Green Clemson's vision of this institution as a 'high seminary of learning.' Fundamental to this vision is a mutual commitment to truthfulness, honor, and responsibility, without which we cannot earn the trust and respect of others. Furthermore, we recognize that academic dishonesty detracts from the value of a Clemson degree. Therefore, we shall not tolerate lying, cheating, or stealing in any form."

Spring 2004 Topics

Interesting Sites to Visit (Please send me updates, corrections, and additions.)

[Mark's homepage] [CPSC homepage] [Clemson Univ. homepage]

mark@cs.clemson.edu