CS257-15 Advanced Computer Architecture

Academic year
20/21
Department
Computer Science
Level
Undergraduate Level 2
Module leader
Adam Chester
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
Multiple
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

The module aims to provide students with a fundamental knowledge of computer hardware and computer systems, with an emphasis on system design and performance.
There is a prerequisite of CS132 Computer Organisation and Architecture.
This module is only available to students in the second year of their degree and is not available as an unusual option to students in other years of study.

Module aims

The module aims to provide students with a fundamental knowledge of computer hardware and computer systems, with an emphasis on system design and performance. The module concentrates on the principles underlying systems organisation, issues in computer system design, and contrasting implementations of modern systems. The module is central to the aims of the Computing Systems degree course, for which it is core.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Context for modem computer systems engineering, including:

Advanced topics in memory systems, for example:

Advanced topics in processor architecture, possibly including:

Parallel computer organisation, for example:

I/O and secondary storage, possibly including:

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

Indicative reading list

Please see Talis Aspire link for most up to date list.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

A working knowledge of various architectures.
Programming in a low level language using architecture specific vectorised CPU instructions.

Transferable skills

General IT Skills - using a computer while working
Numeracy skills - developed while looking at program performance.
Problem solving - developing a creative solution to the coursework.

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 30 sessions of 1 hour (20%)
Private study 120 hours (80%)
Total 150 hours
Private study description

Background reading of concepts covered in the module from recommended reading and realised research papers.
Consultation of technical manuals covering specific architectures for the purposes of the coursework.
Exam revision.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.

Assessment group D1
Weighting Study time
Unsupervised Practical Assignment 20%
Online Examination 80%

Exam


  • Online examination: No Answerbook required
  • Students may use a calculator
Assessment group R
Weighting Study time
Online Examination - Resit 100%

CS257 resit examination


  • Online examination: No Answerbook required
  • Students may use a calculator
Feedback on assessment

Written feedback on practical assignment.

Past exam papers for CS257

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 2 of UCSA-G406 Undergraduate Computer Systems Engineering
  • Year 2 of UCSA-G408 Undergraduate Computer Systems Engineering

This module is Optional for:

  • Year 2 of UCSA-I1N1 Undergraduate Computer Science with Business Studies

This module is Option list A for:

  • UCSA-G500 Undergraduate Computer Science
    • Year 2 of G500 Computer Science
    • Year 2 of G500 Computer Science
  • UCSA-G503 Undergraduate Computer Science MEng
    • Year 2 of G500 Computer Science
    • Year 2 of G503 Computer Science MEng
    • Year 2 of G503 Computer Science MEng

This module is Option list B for:

  • UCSA-G4G1 Undergraduate Discrete Mathematics
    • Year 2 of G4G1 Discrete Mathematics
    • Year 2 of G4G1 Discrete Mathematics
  • Year 2 of UCSA-G4G3 Undergraduate Discrete Mathematics