Skip to main content
NounStudy
Back to Course Catalog
CIT309Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Computer Architechture

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of computer architecture. It covers computer organization and architecture, instruction sets, computer arithmetic, and parallel organization. Topics include the arithmetic and logic unit, control unit design, memory systems, and cache memory. The course also explores reduced instruction set computers, operating system support, error detection, and correction coding. Students will gain an understanding of the underlying principles that govern the design and operation of computer systems.

Generate AI Study Notes

Transform this course into personalized study materials with AI

150h
Study Time
13
Weeks
12h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
Computer ArchitectureInstruction SetsComputer ArithmeticParallel OrganizationRISC

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
➕
Math Level
Basic Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Computer Organization

2

Instruction Set Architecture

3

Computer Arithmetic

4

Parallel Processing

5

RISC Architecture

6

Operating System Support

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Computer Architect

Apply your skills in this growing field

System Designer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Embedded Systems Engineer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Performance Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Hardware Engineer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Computer ManufacturingEmbedded SystemsTelecommunicationsAerospaceAutomotive

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Organization and Architecture

7h

Unit 1: Computer Organization and Architecture

4 study hours
  • •Read the introduction to computer organization and architecture.
  • •Study the structure and function of computer components.
  • •Review the concept of the Von Neumann architecture.

Unit 2: Instruction Sets Characteristics and Functions

3 study hours
  • •Study instruction formats and their characteristics.
  • •Understand the elements of a machine instruction.
  • •Review instruction set design issues.
Week
2

Module 1: Organization and Architecture

4h

Unit 3: Types of Operands

4 study hours
  • •Study different types of operands.
  • •Understand how operands are represented.
  • •Practice converting between different operand types.
Week
3

Module 2: Computer Arithmetic

4h

Unit 1: The Arithmetic and Logic Unit

4 study hours
  • •Understand the arithmetic and logic unit (ALU).
  • •Study integer representation methods.
  • •Review integer arithmetic operations.
Week
4

Module 2: Computer Arithmetic

4h

Unit 2: Control Unit Design/Implementation

4 study hours
  • •Study control unit design and implementation.
  • •Understand micro-operations and their sequencing.
  • •Review hardwired and microprogrammed control.
Week
5

Module 3: Parallel Organization

4h

Unit 1: Multiple Processor Organization

4 study hours
  • •Study types of parallel processor systems.
  • •Understand Flynn's taxonomy of parallel processing.
  • •Review symmetric multiprocessors (SMPs).
Week
6

Module 3: Parallel Organization

4h

Unit 2: Symmetric Multi Processor

4 study hours
  • •Study the organization of symmetric multiprocessors.
  • •Understand multiprocessor operating system design considerations.
  • •Review mainframe SMP architectures.
Week
7

Module 3: Parallel Organization

4h

Unit 3: Multithreading and Chip Multi Processors

4 study hours
  • •Study implicit and explicit multithreading.
  • •Understand approaches to explicit multithreading.
  • •Review example systems with multithreading.
Week
8

Module 3: Parallel Organization

4h

Unit 4: Vector Computation

4 study hours
  • •Study approaches to vector computation.
  • •Understand the IBM 3090 vector facility.
  • •Review pipelined ALU organization for vector processing.
Week
9

Module 4: Reduced Instruction Set Computers

7h

Unit 1: Instruction Execution Characteristic

4 study hours
  • •Study instruction execution characteristics.
  • •Understand the operation repertoire and data types.
  • •Review instruction format and addressing modes.

Unit 2: Reduced Instruction Set Architecture

3 study hours
  • •Study the characteristics of reduced instruction set architectures.
  • •Understand the differences between CISC and RISC.
  • •Review the advantages of RISC.
Week
10

Module 4: Reduced Instruction Set Computers

4h

Unit 3: RISC Pipelining

4 study hours
  • •Study RISC pipelining techniques.
  • •Understand optimization of pipelining.
  • •Review delayed branch and delayed load.
Week
11

Module 4: Reduced Instruction Set Computers

4h

Unit MIPS 4000

4 study hours
  • •Study the MIPS R4000 architecture.
  • •Understand the instruction set and pipeline.
  • •Review the memory management unit.
Week
12

Module 5: Operating System Support Error Detection and Error Correction Coding

7h

Unit 1: Operating System Overview

4 study hours
  • •Study operating system objectives and functions.
  • •Understand types of operating systems.
  • •Review the operating system as a resource manager.

Unit 2: Scheduling

3 study hours
  • •Study long-term, medium-term, and short-term scheduling.
  • •Understand process states and process control blocks.
  • •Review queuing diagrams.
Week
13

Module 5: Operating System Support Error Detection and Error Correction Coding

7h

Unit 3: Memory System

4 study hours
  • •Study characteristics of memory systems.
  • •Understand the memory hierarchy.
  • •Review error correction techniques.

Unit 4: Cache Memory

3 study hours
  • •Study cache memory principles.
  • •Understand elements of cache design.
  • •Review Pentium 4 and ARM cache organizations.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

Access PDF Material

Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create concept maps linking Module 1's organization concepts to Module 3's parallel architectures

2

Practice converting between integer and floating-point representations from Module 2 weekly

3

Review instruction set design issues in Module 1 and compare CISC vs. RISC in Module 4

4

Focus on understanding the different types of scheduling algorithms in Module 5

5

Study the different cache mapping techniques in Module 5 and their trade-offs

Related Courses

Other courses in Sciences that complement your learning

PHY307

Solid State Physics I

2 Units
MTH341

Real Analysis

3 Units
MTH305

Complex Analysis Ii

3 Units
View All Sciences Courses