Note: This unit is an archived version! See Overview tab for delivered versions.
ELEC5711: Foundations of Computer Systems (2014 - Semester 2)
Unit: | ELEC5711: Foundations of Computer Systems (6 CP) |
Mode: | Normal-Day |
On Offer: | Yes |
Level: | Postgraduate |
Faculty/School: | Faculty of Engineering |
Unit Coordinator/s: |
Pardo, Abelardo
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Session options: | Semester 2 |
Versions for this Unit: | |
Site(s) for this Unit: |
Campus: | Camperdown/Darlington |
Pre-Requisites: | None. |
Brief Handbook Description: | This unit of study introduces the fundamental digital concepts upon which the design and operation of modern digital computers are based. A prime aim of the unit is to develop a professional view of, and a capacity for inquiry into, the field of computing. Topics covered include: data representation, basic computer organisation, the CPU, elementary gates and logic, sequential systems, machine language, assembly language, programming concepts, program translation. |
Assumed Knowledge: | HSC Mathematics extension 1 or 2 |
Lecturer/s: |
Pardo, Abelardo
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Timetable: | ELEC5711 Timetable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Time Commitment: |
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T&L Activities: | Lecture: Requires previous preparation and active participation Tutorial: Solve exercises extending the activities in the lecture. Requires participation. Laboratory: Hands on lab work on computer systems and design build and test a team project. Independent Study: Preparation for lectures, tutorial and labs. |
Attributes listed here represent the key course goals (see Course Map tab) designated for this unit. The list below describes how these attributes are developed through practice in the unit. See Learning Outcomes and Assessment tabs for details of how these attributes are assessed.
Attribute Development Method | Attribute Developed |
Design software in a team project environment | Design (Level 1) |
Detailed study of computer system fundamentals | Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 2) |
Writing of assignments and reports. Oral presentation of project outcomes. | Communication (Level 2) |
Team based laboratories with individual and group assessment components including oral examinations. | Professional Conduct (Level 1) |
The team project assignment introduces students to teamwork and project management in an engineering context | Project and Team Skills (Level 2) |
For explanation of attributes and levels see Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table.
Learning outcomes are the key abilities and knowledge that will be assessed in this unit. They are listed according to the course goal supported by each. See Assessment Tab for details how each outcome is assessed.
Design (Level 1)Assessment Methods: |
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Assessment Description: |
Lecture Preparation and Participation: Answer questions before attending the session to participate in the activities in class. Midterm Exam: Multiple choice question about the material covered up to that point. Tutorial Preparation and Participation: Solve problems before attending the session and then participate in the discussions in during the session. Laboratory Report: Write a report about on of the initial laboratories in the semester. Project report: Report describing how the project was implemented. Project demonstration: Live demonstration of the final project to the rest of the class. Project presentation: Oral presentation on how the project was executed. Final Exam: End of semester exam |
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Assessment Feedback: | Assessment feedback will be provided through the following mechanisms: - Questions with answers in the course material - Questions with answers in the activities to prepare the lectures and tutorials - Face to face interaction with tutors in tutorials - Face to face interaction with tutors in laboratories - Scores in the Learning management system for assignments submitted onlin |
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Grading: |
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Policies & Procedures: | See the policies page of the faculty website at http://sydney.edu.au/engineering/student-policies/ for information regarding university policies and local provisions and procedures within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies. |
Prescribed Text/s: |
Note: Students are expected to have a personal copy of all books listed.
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Online Course Content: | Links to the course notes and additional resources will be published in the Learning Management System (Blackboard or similar) |
Note that the "Weeks" referred to in this Schedule are those of the official university semester calendar https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Week | Description |
Week 1 | Course organization and computer system overview |
Week 2 | Information Encoding |
Week 3 | Computer Memory |
Week 4 | Boolean algebra and combinational logic |
Week 5 | Sequential circuit design |
Week 6 | |
Assessment Due: Midterm Exam | |
Week 7 | AVR Architecture |
Week 8 | Instruction Set Architecture |
Week 9 | Assembly Programs |
Week 10 | Addressing Modes |
Week 11 | High Level Constructs 1 |
Week 12 | High Level Constructs 2 |
Week 13 | Exam Simulation |
Assessment Due: Project Report | |
Assessment Due: Project Demonstration | |
Assessment Due: Project Presentation | |
Exam Period | Final exam |
Assessment Due: Final Exam |
Course Relations
The following is a list of courses which have added this Unit to their structure.
Course Goals
This unit contributes to the achievement of the following course goals:
Attribute | Practiced | Assessed |
Design (Level 1) | Yes | 3.5% |
Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 2) | No | 0% |
Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 2) | Yes | 87% |
Information Seeking (Level 2) | No | 0% |
Communication (Level 2) | Yes | 6% |
Professional Conduct (Level 1) | Yes | 0% |
Project and Team Skills (Level 2) | Yes | 3.5% |
These goals are selected from Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table which defines overall goals for courses where this unit is primarily offered. See Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table for details of the attributes and levels to be developed in the course as a whole. Percentage figures alongside each course goal provide a rough indication of their relative weighting in assessment for this unit. Note that not all goals are necessarily part of assessment. Some may be more about practice activity. See Learning outcomes for details of what is assessed in relation to each goal and Assessment for details of how the outcome is assessed. See Attributes for details of practice provided for each goal.