School: Engineering

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Computer Fundamentals
  • Unit Code

    ENS1161
  • Year

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    3
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Ganesh ARULAMPALAM

Description

This unit introduces the fundamental architecture and operating principles of digital computer system. Students will learn how modern computers are organised and operated, and how they can be programmed at an assembly (machine) language level, as well as using higher level languages, and the role of operating systems in this. Students will also learn fundamental concepts related to the interfacing of peripheral components to computer systems, including memory and secondary storage, and explore different types of computer systems including an overview of virtualisation and cloud technologies.

Prerequisite Rule

MAT1252

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded ENS4103

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe the fundamental architecture and operating principles of a computer system.
  2. Explain how binary code, assembly language and high-level languages are related and how they are used in programming.
  3. Identify different types of memory and storage systems and suitable applications for them.
  4. Explain how memory and I/O devices are interfaced to computer systems.
  5. Explain the types, roles and basic functions of operating systems.

Unit Content

  1. Overview of computer organisation and operation – processors, primary memory, secondary memory, I/O, system bus, fetch-decode-execute cycle.
  2. CPU architecture, registers, instruction sets, flags, addressing modes.
  3. Fundamentals of assembly language programming, assembler vs high-level programming; roles of assemblers, compilers and linkers.
  4. Basic computation in computers - binary addition, interpretation of flags in in computation, multiplication and division by shifting.
  5. I/O interfacing – I/O modes (unconditional, polled, interrupts, DMA), interfacing with external hardware (physical, electrical and timing considerations).
  6. Memory devices and storage systems – types of ROM and RAM, cache memory, primary memory, secondary storage technologies.
  7. Types of computer systems – processors vs controllers, transformational vs reactive systems, embedded systems.
  8. Operating systems – roles and types of operating systems, RTOS, file systems, simple command line interaction, virtualisation, cloud technologies.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 113 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 113 x 2 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 2 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECUs LMS as well as additional ECU l

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures and tutorials.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio of exercises20%
TestOnline quizzes10%
AssignmentScenario based assignment30%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio of exercises20%
TestOnline quizzes10%
AssignmentScenario based assignment30%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ENS1161|3|1

School: Engineering

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Computer Fundamentals
  • Unit Code

    ENS1161
  • Year

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    4
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Ganesh ARULAMPALAM

Description

This unit introduces the fundamental architecture and operating principles of digital computer system. Students will learn how modern computers are organised and operated, and how they can be programmed at an assembly (machine) language level, as well as using higher level languages, and the role of operating systems in this. Students will also learn fundamental concepts related to the interfacing of peripheral components to computer systems, including memory and secondary storage, and explore different types of computer systems including an overview of virtualisation and cloud technologies.

Prerequisite Rule

Must have passed MAT1252.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded ENS4103.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe the fundamental architecture and operating principles of a computer system.
  2. Interpret computer system specifications and standards and how they relate to system function.
  3. Compare different types of computer components and subsystems and their relative impacts on system function and performance.
  4. Make recommendations on the suitability of computer systems and components for a given function.
  5. Explain the interconnection between the software and hardware components of computer systems, and the processes involved in making them work together.

Unit Content

  1. Overview of computer organisation and operation – processors, primary memory, secondary memory, I/O, system bus, fetch-decode-execute cycle.
  2. CPU architecture, registers, instruction sets, flags, addressing modes.
  3. Fundamentals of assembly language programming, assembler vs high-level programming; roles of assemblers, compilers and linkers.
  4. Basic computation in computers - binary addition, interpretation of flags in in computation, multiplication and division by shifting.
  5. I/O interfacing – I/O modes (unconditional, polled, interrupts, DMA), interfacing with external hardware (physical, electrical and timing considerations).
  6. Memory devices and storage systems – types of ROM and RAM, cache memory, primary memory, secondary storage technologies.
  7. Types of computer systems – processors vs controllers, transformational vs reactive systems, embedded systems.
  8. Operating systems – roles and types of operating systems, RTOS, file systems, simple command line interaction, virtualisation, cloud technologies.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 113 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 113 x 2 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 2 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECUs LMS as well as additional ECU l

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio of exercises20%
TestOnline quizzes10%
AssignmentScenario based assignment45%
AssignmentFinal Assessment25%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio of exercises20%
TestOnline quizzes10%
AssignmentScenario based assignment45%
AssignmentFinal Assessment25%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ENS1161|4|2