CS1CA: Computer Systems Architecture

Module code: CS1CA

Module provider: Computer Science; School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Hong Wei, email: h.wei@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 2 October 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module introduces students the fundamentals of computer systems architecture. It aims to establish a foundation for computer science students with the main features of modern computer architectures in term of binary representation, machine language, processor, memory hierarchy and storage systems, from which students can appreciate the joint force of hardware and software interaction in computer operations. It sets up a base for their further studies in the discipline.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Use binary code to represent text, integer, and real number, and conduct arithmetic and logic operations with binary numbers
2. Describe the structure of computer systems and the interaction between software and hardware, and articulate data manipulation inside computer system operations
3. Establish core concepts of computer systems architecture, in terms of instruction set, processor, memory hierarchy and storage
4. Evaluate computer performance by using benchmark suites

Module content

The module covers the following topics:

• Computer systems and hardware/software interaction
• Binary representation and arithmetic/logic operations of binary numbers
• Data manipulation inside computers: the role of computer components and instructions in program execution 
• Instructions: language of computers
• Processor: inside the central processing unit (CPU) with pipelined architecture
• Memory hierarchy: cache, main memory, and virtual memory
• Storage systems

In the topics above, computer systems’ performance is discussed.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is delivered via lectures, tutorials and lab sessions throughout the first semester.

Study hours

At least 45 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

There is a set of questions and exercises each week along with the lecture notes. The tutorial and lab sessions are used to enhance the concepts.

Reassessment

Additional costs