Course description for

Computers and Networks 

by
Keld Helsgaun

1. Purpose

The purpose of this course is to provide you with a basic understanding of how computers do what they do. By studying the fundamental organizing principles of computer systems, you are better able to understand, design, and implement complex systems. Upon successful completion of this course, the computer will no longer seem a “black box” to you.

2. Aim

At the completion of the course, you will be able to:

• Understand basic computer architecture and demonstrate use of the associated vocabulary.
• Explain the organization of a computer as levels of virtual machines.
• Describe the operation of the CPU and explain how it is used to execute instructions.
• Write simple assembly language programs.
• Demonstrate knowledge of memory and I/O.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the basics of operating systems software.
• Discuss network architecture standards.
• Describe ISO reference and Internet models.

3. Contents

The course provides knowledge of computer organization and architecture. Fundamentals of computer networking and data communication will also be provided. The main objectives of this course are the understanding of the major components of a computer system, how these components are interrelated, and their characteristics that affect system performance. The topics covered include computer organization and architecture, data representation, digital logic, assembly language programming, memory systems, input/output systems, system software, network protocols, and network organization.

4. Form

Lectures and exercises.

5. Assessment

30 minutes oral examination with three days of preparation time. Grade: 7-steps scale.

6. Evaluation

• The excellent performance: The student demonstrates solid knowledge, insight and overview of the subject area; demonstrates solid description, competent application, and critical reflection with respect to the command and application of theories and methods; demonstrates certainty, conceptual accuracy, and independent and clear organization with respect to structuring and communication.
• The good performance: The student demonstrates knowledge of and insight into the subject area; demonstrates clear description and relatively competent application with respect to the command and application of theories and methods; demonstrates clear presentation and organization with respect to structuring and communication.
• The performance meeting the minimum requirements: The student demonstrates sufficient however limited knowledge of the subject area; demonstrates a sufficient account of command and application of theories and methods; demonstrates a sufficient, but uncertain presentation with regard to structuring and communication.

7. Textbook

Linda Null and Julia Lobur,
The Essentials of Computer Organization and Architecture (Second Edition).
Jones & Bartlett, 2006.

8. Prerequisites

This course requires some programming skills, such as having passed courses in introductory programming, data structures and algorithms, and one programming project.

9. Schedule of lectures (right to changes reserved)

      (9/3) Introduction (Chapter 1)
      Historical development of computers. The von Neumann model.

      (9/10) Data Representation in Computer Systems (Chapter 2)
      Integer, floating-point and character representation. Error detection and correction.
      
      (9/17) Boolean Algebra and Digital Logic (Chapter 3)
      Logic gates. Combinatorial and sequential circuits.

      (9/24) MARIE: An Introduction to a Simple Computer I (Chapter 4)
      CPU basics and organization. Discussion of assemblers.

      (10/1) MARIE: An Introduction to a Simple Computer II (Chapter 4)
      Discussion of decoding. Real-World Examples of Computer Architectures.

      (10/8) A Closer Look at Instruction Set Architecture (Chapter 5)
      Instruction formats. Instruction types. Addressing. Real-World examples of ISAs.

      (10/15) Memory, Input/Output and Storage Systems (Chapter 6 and 7)
      Cache memory. Virtual memory. I/O architectures. Data transmission modes.

      (10/22) System Software (Chapter 8)
      Operating systems. Assemblers, link editors, compilers and interpreters.

      (10/29) Alternative Architectures (Chapter 9)
      Flynn's taxonomy. Parallel and multiprocessor architectures.

      (11/5) Network Organization and Architecture I (Chapter 12)
      ISO/OSI protocol unification. TCP/IP network architecture.

      (11/12) Network Organization and Architecture II (Chapter 12)
      Network organization. A look at the Internet.

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