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 Architecture
  • Unit Code

    ENS6150
  • Year

    2018
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Wlodzimierz GORNISIEWICZ

Description

This unit introduces students to the architecture and design of advanced computer systems. Interactions between software and hardware and concepts relating to instruction sets and memory management are covered. Additionally various other aspects of computer design including hardware and software support of multitasking, special purpose coprocessors, input/output systems, parallel architectures, and supercomputers are discussed.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded ENS5244

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe the architecture and operation of an advanced computer system.
  2. Evaluate alternative computer systems.
  3. Evaluate the applicability of VLIW computer architectures.
  4. Evaluate the impact of VLSI technology on new computer concepts.
  5. Explain the concept of a selected I/O system.
  6. Explain the concept of virtual machines.
  7. Research new developments in computer architecture and reflect critically on their significance to engineering practice.
  8. Write short microprograms and assembly language routines.

Unit Content

  1. Computer system organisation processors, primary memory, secondary memory, I/O.
  2. Memory synchronisation, consistency and coherence in multiprocessor/multicomputer architectures.
  3. Parallel computer architecture SIMD computers, shared-memory multiprocessors, message-passing multicomputers.
  4. The assembly language level macro definition, assembly process, linking and loading.
  5. The digital logic level memory, CPU chips and buses.
  6. The instruction set architecture level instruction formats, addressing, instruction types.
  7. The microarchitecture level the data path, micro-instructions, micro-instruction control.
  8. The operating system machine level virtual memory, virtual I/O, parallel processing.
  9. VLIW computer architecture memory protection, translation and virtualisation.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour seminarNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 1 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Seminars and laboratories.

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 Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentHardware/software design problems30%
PresentationResearch seminar10%
Examination ^End of semester examination60%

^ Mandatory to Pass


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.

ENS6150|1|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 Architecture
  • Unit Code

    ENS6150
  • Year

    2018
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Wlodzimierz GORNISIEWICZ

Description

This unit introduces students to the architecture and design of advanced computer systems. Interactions between software and hardware and concepts relating to instruction sets and memory management are covered. Additionally various other aspects of computer design including hardware and software support of multitasking, special purpose coprocessors, input/output systems, parallel architectures, and supercomputers are discussed.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded ENS5244

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe the architecture and operation of an advanced computer system.
  2. Evaluate alternative computer systems.
  3. Evaluate the applicability of VLIW computer architectures.
  4. Evaluate the impact of VLSI technology on new computer concepts.
  5. Explain the concept of a selected I/O system.
  6. Explain the concept of virtual machines.
  7. Research new developments in computer architecture and reflect critically on their significance to engineering practice.
  8. Write short microprograms and assembly language routines.

Unit Content

  1. Computer system organisation processors, primary memory, secondary memory, I/O.
  2. Memory synchronisation, consistency and coherence in multiprocessor/multicomputer architectures.
  3. Parallel computer architecture SIMD computers, shared-memory multiprocessors, message-passing multicomputers.
  4. The assembly language level macro definition, assembly process, linking and loading.
  5. The digital logic level memory, CPU chips and buses.
  6. The instruction set architecture level instruction formats, addressing, instruction types.
  7. The microarchitecture level the data path, micro-instructions, micro-instruction control.
  8. The operating system machine level virtual memory, virtual I/O, parallel processing.
  9. VLIW computer architecture memory protection, translation and virtualisation.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour seminarNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 1 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Seminars and laboratories.

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 Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentHardware/software design problems30%
PresentationResearch seminar10%
Examination ^End of semester examination60%

^ Mandatory to Pass


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.

ENS6150|1|2