University of Puget Sound - Spring 2008
CSci 381 - Computer Systems and Architecture Design

Class Periods and Exam Schedule

Course Description:

The study of the functionality and implementation of computing machines. Topics include central processor design, memory hierarchies, and parallel architectures. The class explores the motivations behind the fundamental concepts as well as analyzes their particular implementation in existing machines.

What we're really going to study:

This is a continuation of CSci281 which examines implementation of specific machines and research which drove these designs.

Textbook

There is no textbook for this class. We will instead be reading a collection of extracts from books and reference manuals, research monographs, and published papers. Most of these, and many more interesting papers, can be found here.

The following is a list of when various topics will be discussed:

Lecture Notes

• images from blur image discussion

Assignments

Grading

There's little programming in this class because of the lack of access to suitable hardware. Therefore much of the final grade is based on written analysis of the systems we'll be studying. Typically this will be in the form of summaries of each week's readings. (This matches one of the University goals which emphasizes "the ability to communicate clearly and effectively".) Spelling, grammar, and style count.

Final grades will be based on the following components: