This course introduces core topics in computer architecture, based on the textbook Digital Design and Computer Architecture (RISC-V Edition) by Sarah L. Harris and David Harris.
The topics covered are:
Review of Digital Circuit Design: Combinational and Sequential Logic Circuits
Chapters 2 & 3
Computer Components: Introduction to Computer Arithmetic and ALU Circuits, Memory Organization, Memory Types, Memory Addressing
Chapter 5
Assembly Programming and Architecture: Instruction Sets and Operand Types, Addressing Modes, Programming Structures in Assembly
Chapter 6 (Part I)
Function Calls, Machine Language
Chapter 6 (Part II)
Computer Microarchitecture: CPU Organization, Single-Cycle CPU, Multi-Cycle CPU, CPU Performance Analysis
Chapter 7
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Identify and describe key hardware components, such as the ALU, memory, and others.
Understand and explain the concept of Architecture.
Introduction to Assembly Language programming.
Understand and explain the concept of microarchitecture.
Describe how the CPU executes machine language instructions.
Evaluate and compare the performance of different microarchitectures.
Required Textbooks
Main Textbook:Digital Design and Computer Architecture (RISC-V Edition) by Sarah L. Harris, David Harris
Further Reading/Exercises:Computer Organization and Design RISC-V Edition: The Hardware Software Interface by David A. Patterson, John L. Hennessy
Office Number: Room 2205, Innovation Center Building
Office Hours: Fridays 9:00am - 2:00pm
Disability Support
The University of South Carolina is committed to providing access to programs and services for qualified students with disabilities.
If you are a student with a disability and require accommodation to participate and complete requirements for this class, notify me
immediately and contact the Student Disability Resource Center:
For verification of eligibility and determination of specific accommodations. In addition, please provide me the required accommodation letter
from the Student Disability Resource Center. All course materials are available in alternative formats upon request.
Academic Honesty Policy
The faculty takes violations of the University Honor Code
http://www.sc.edu/policies/ppm/staf625.pdf seriously.
Students are encouraged to review the Honor Code and to understand the consequences of any action that is proven to be a violation of the code.
You are expected to practice the highest possible standards of academic integrity. Any deviation from this expectation will result in a
minimum academic penalty of your failing the assignment. In addition, an honor code violation will be subject to the sanctions described in the USC
Community Handbook and Policy Guide. Violations of the University Honor Code include, but are not limited to, improper citation of sources, using
another student’s work, and any other form of academic misrepresentation. For more information, please see the University Honor Code.
