CSC 373 Computer Systems I

Fall 2019-2020

TTh 1:30pm - 3:00pm in CDM 226

Karen Heart, MS, Instructor
kheart@depaul.edu

(312)362-1469

Syllabus

Last revised: 9-11-19

Summary of the course

A course on computer systems topics, focusing on machine-level programming and architecture and their relevance for application programming. Information representations, assembly language, C programming, and debuggers.

Textbooks and printed resources

Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective, 3rd Edition, Bryant & O'Hallaron, Prentice Hall/Pearson, 2016, ISBN: 978-0134092669.

Programming in C, 4th edition, Stephen G. Kochan, Addison-Wesley Professional, 2014, ISBN: 978-0321776419.

The primary textbook is the Computer Systems book by Bryant & O'Hallaron; it is essential to the course. The lectures will cover the material in this book, and the homework exercises and tests will be drawn from it. The book on C programming, by Kochan, is a useful resource for learning the basics, as well as some of the intricacies, of programming in the C language. Tutorials on C programming are also available on Lynda.com; please see Resources and Links under Content in D2L.

Prerequisites

(CSC 383 or CSC 393 or CSC 300) and Math 140

Office Hours

I will be in my office, CDM 838, during office hours, which are posted on Bluestar.

Assignments and Grading

Overview

This course focuses on the details of implementing fundamental parts of computer systems. There will be two or three (2 or 3) lab (programming) exercises, six (6) homework exercises, four (4) quizzes, and a Final exam. Many of these exercises and tests require you to read and write code in the C programming language, as well as develop proficiency in systems concepts.

Sec. 1. Lab exercises

Sec. 2. Homework exercises

Sec. 3. Quizzes

Sec. 4. Final exam

Sec. 5. How your grade for the course is calculated

Policy on Working Together

Each student is expected to turn in original work for the assignments and final paper. Copying code or other documents from another person is considered a serious violation of the university's academic integrity policy (see below).

Course Schedule

WeekDateTopicsReadings
1 Sep. 12 Overview of computer organization; information storage; register file; basic C programming B & O 1.1 - 1.4, 2.1 - 2.1.1, 3.4
  Sep. 17 Data sizes; basic C programming (cont.) B & O 2.1.2
2 Sep. 19 Addressing and byte ordering; character representation and strings; Boolean algebra B & O 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.1.6, 2.1.7
  Sep. 24 Boolean algebra (cont.); logical operators
Last day to drop without penalty!
B & O 2.1.8
3 Sep. 26 logical operators (cont.); integer representation B & O 2.2 - 2.3
  Oct. 1 integer representation (cont.); bit shifting B & O 2.1.9
4 Oct. 3 bit shifting (cont.); overflow and underflow; floating point representation B & O 2.4
  Oct. 8 floating point representation; Microcomputer architecture history; machine representation; data sizes; data access B & O 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4.1, 3.4.2 - 3.4.4
5 Oct. 10 Machine representation (cont.); data sizes; data access B & O 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4.1, 3.4.2 - 3.4.4
  Oct. 15 Data access (cont.)  
6 Oct. 17 Arithmetic and logical operations B & O 3.5
  Oct. 22 Arithmetic and logical operations (cont.)  
7 Oct. 24 Control B & O 3.6
  Oct. 29 Control (cont.)
Last day to withdraw and receive a 'W'.
 
8 Oct. 31 Control (cont.)  
  Nov. 5 Procedures B & O 3.7
9 Nov. 7 Procedures (cont.); arrays B & O 3.8
  Nov. 12 Arrays (cont.); data structures B & O 3.9
10 Nov. 14 data structures (cont.); security issues; floating point operations; optimization B & O 3.10, 3.11, 5.6, 5.8, 5.9
  Nov. 19 Optimization (cont.); review for Final Exam  
Final Exam Nov. 21 From 11:30am to 1:45pm (exam available on Nov. 20)  

Attendance

Although attendance is encouraged in order to foster participation, it is not mandatory.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/. If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at: http://cdm.depaul.edu/enrollment.

Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential. To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at: csd@depaul.edu.
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

School Policies

Policies of the school are explained on the webpage for this course on my.cdm.depaul.edu.