Computer Architecture
David Wentzlaff
In this course, you will learn to design the computer architecture of complex modern microprocessors.
Announcements
Problem Sets
Problem sets are self evaluated. We will release solutions to the problem sets on this page after the date posted. Problem sets are a great way to study for the exams in this class as the problems on the problem sets are very similar to the exams. It is recommended that you work the problem sets and then use the solutions to self evaluate how you are doing in this course.
Problem Set 1: Solutions will be released on Oct 15th, 2012
Problem Set 1.pdf pdf
Created Thu 20 Sep 2012 3:12:13 PM PDT
Last Modified Thu 27 Sep 2012 10:49:12 AM PDT
Last Modified Thu 27 Sep 2012 10:49:12 AM PDT
Course Details
Class: Computer Architecture
Instructor: Professor David Wentzlaff
Strongly Suggested Text:
- Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach (5th Edition), 2011.
- John L. Hennessy and David A. Patterson
- The 5th edition is new and very different than previous editions. USE THE 5TH EDITION.
- Approximately $55 on Amazon
- ISBN: 978-0123838728
Other Texts:
- Modern Processor Design: Fundamentals of Superscalar Processors (1st Edition), 2004.
- John P. Shen and Mikko H. Lipasti
- Approximately $125 on Amazon
- ISBN: 0070570647
Prerequisites:
This course is targeted at senior-level undergraduates and first-year graduate students.
Students should have a good working understanding of digital logic, basic processor design and organization, pipelining, and simple cache design.
Computer organization, logic design, and the equivalent knowledge are necessary to succeed in computer architecture.
Students should have a good working understanding of digital logic, basic processor design and organization, pipelining, and simple cache design.
Computer organization, logic design, and the equivalent knowledge are necessary to succeed in computer architecture.
Course Structure:
This course consists of two 80-minute lectures every week. This is to mimic a typical class experience where this course has two lectures a week. There will be five problem sets in this course. The problem sets will be released when we begin discussing a particular topic and we will release the solutions two weeks after their release. This course has two exams: a midterm exam and a final exam. These exams will closely resemble the problem set questions and if you successfully work the problem sets, you will be well prepared for the exams. The exams are timed tests and we will use peer evaluation to evaluate the exams. As part of peer evaluation, students will evaluate a number of other students exams. In order to receive feedback on an exam, students will need to evaluate a random set of other students exams.
Problem Sets:
There will be a problem set every two weeks. You will have two weeks to complete the problem set. The problem sets are designed to be challenging and prepare students for the midterm and final. At the end of the two weeks, the solutions will be released. The problems sets will self evaluated.
Exams:
In this course, we will have a midterm exam and a final exam. The midterm will cover the course up until the midterm is given and the final exam will be cumulative. The midterm and final are timed exams and students need to take the exam within the time limit. All exams are closed book and you are not allowed to use computers, calculators, books, the Internet, or discuss the problems while taking the exam. Exams should be taken in one sitting and the midterm is 80 minutes long and the final is 3 hours long. It is recommended that students print out the exam and take the exam on paper. After the exam is taken on paper, a students solutions can be inputted into the computer without a time constraint. Each exam will have one week to complete and we will use peer evaluation to evaluate the exams. This means that you will be responsible for grading other students exams. Some questions on the exam will require figures to be input into the computer. In order to ease in inputting the solution, a paper scanner or high-resolution camera with good lighting will be needed. Otherwise a student can redraw a figure in a computer drawing program.
Collaboration:
Problem sets are not graded and collaboration is encouraged.
No collaboration is allowed during exams. All students in the course must agree to abide by the Coursera honor code. In particular, do not post solutions or partial solutions to problems sets or exams; however, you are permitted to discuss general ideas and problem-solving approaches. You are also permitted to discuss solutions to problem sets after the solutions have been released. Do not discuss the exams on the forums until after the due date for the exams.
No collaboration is allowed during exams. All students in the course must agree to abide by the Coursera honor code. In particular, do not post solutions or partial solutions to problems sets or exams; however, you are permitted to discuss general ideas and problem-solving approaches. You are also permitted to discuss solutions to problem sets after the solutions have been released. Do not discuss the exams on the forums until after the due date for the exams.
Discussion forums:
Please be sure to make use of the discussion forums if you need help, and please contribute to the forums if you think that you can provide help. Such forums have proven to be an important and fun part of the online course experience. Staff members will monitor these forums, but other students will likely provide the fastest response time.
Material Release:
For this course, we will be releasing material for the subsequent week on Friday at 11:59PM EDT. This includes lectures and problem sets. This will enable students to watch lectures over the weekend. We plan to release both lectures for the week at the same time.
Certificates:
No certificates, statements of accomplishment, or other credentials will be awarded in connection with this course.
Credits:
We would like to thank Arvind, Krste Asanovic, Joel Emer, James Hoe, John Kubiatowicz, David Patterson, and Christopher Batten for providing slide material which this course's presentations leverage. Also, we would like to thank James Grassi, Lance Herrington, Lisa Jackson, Laura Shaddock, and Jeffrey Himpele for video production.
Copying:
All video recordings, assessments and other materials made available in connection with this course are subject to copyright protection and may be used only for private study by persons who are enrolled in this course. Any other use of these materials must be with the express, written permission of David Wentzlaff.
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