Course Title: Computer Organisation

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Computer Organisation

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COSC2400

City Campus

Undergraduate

155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2008,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2010

Course Coordinator: Dalija Beganovic

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 4664

Course Coordinator Email: dalija.beganovic@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: RMIT Building 51, Level 6, Room 3


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

The course has two distinct but related components of computer architecture and digital logic. The aim is to introduce the students to the general concepts involved in the organisation, architecture and functionality of computer systems; and to learn one assembly language.

Computer Architecture
Topics covered include: basic computer organisation, CPU, memory (ROM and RAM), virtual memory, buses, I/O devices, operating system, introduction to machine and assembly languages, assembly languages programming, translation of high-level languages to assembly language.

Digital Logic
Topics covered include: binary data, number systems, operations and codes, logic gates, Boolean algebra, digital circuits.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Relevant program capabilities are embedded in the learning outcomes for this course. In meeting these learning outcomes you will also gain or improve capabilities in:

AD1 Enabling Knowledge
• Apply knowledge effectively to new situations and learn from the experience.

AD2 Critical Analysis
• Examine and consider accurately and objectively any topic, evidence or situation.
• Analyse and model requirements and constraints for the purpose of designing and implementing information technology systems.
• Evaluate and compare designs of such systems on the basis of requirements of organisational needs.

AD3 Problem Solving
• Analyse problems and synthesise suitable solutions.
• Design and implement information technology systems that accommodate specified requirements and constraints, based on analysis or requirements specification.

AD4 Communication
• Communicate effectively with a variety of audiences through a range of modes and media.
• Present and explain complex information technology systems solutions, alternative solutions and decision recommendations to IT and non-IT personnel via technical reports of professional standard and technical presentations.

AD6 Responsibility
• Accept responsibility for one’s own learning and make informed decisions in judging and adopting appropriate behaviour in professional and social situations. This includes accepting responsibility for life-long learning.
• Effectively apply relevant standards, ethical considerations and an understanding of legal and privacy issues to designing IT systems.

This course integrates development and demonstration of these attributes into the various topics.


On successful completion of this course you will be able to:

1. Describe basic digital concepts, number systems, and codes.
2. Outline the basic blocks of computer hardware, and the architecture of a CPU.
3. Explain signed numbers, logic operations and standard logic gates.
4. Apply Boolean algebra laws and rules, DeMorgan theorems, and Karnaugh maps to simplify Boolean expressions to their simplest forms.
5. Explain basic assembly language concepts, and describe the structure of a simple assembly language program.
6. Describe the types, working, and organisation of semiconductor memories.
7. Write simple assembly language programs that use proper style, and programs that use: subroutines, comparison, branch, looping, and string manipulation instructions.
8. Explain, design, and demonstrate the operation of some of the combinational and sequential circuits.
9. Demonstrate the proper use of: arithmetic, logic, shift, and rotate instructions, and deal with some of the advanced features of assembly language programming.
10. Explain the basics of the computer interfacing.


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities are combination of lectures, tutorials, quizzes, labs, and assignments.


Overview of Learning Resources

Students will have access to computers and labs during all of our scheduled lesson times.
Lists of relevant textbooks and reference texts will be provided.


Overview of Assessment

The assessment for this course comprises of two assignments, programming exercises, laboratory exercises, and a final exam.