CMSC 205
Computer Systems (4 Credits)
DORDT UNIVERSITY -- SPRING 2022
Lecture (3 credit hours):
Lab (1 credit hour):
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 9:00AM
Wednesdays from 3:00 until 5-ish
CL0088
I NSTRUCTORS
Lecture Portion
Nick Breems
Email:
Phone:
Office:
Office Hours:
Lab Portion
nick.breems@dordt.edu
(712) 722-6298
SB 2612
Mon, Wed, Fri:
10:00 – 11:00
Tues, Thurs:
3:15 – 4:00
Or by appointment
D ESCRIPTION
FROM THE CATALOG:
An introduction to the organization and inner workings of a modern digital
computer and its components. Topics include introductory digital logic and circuits,
CPU components, memory systems, input/output, storage systems, and introductory
operating systems concepts. Students gain experience in working on computers in
the laboratory component of this course. Strong algebra skills required.
MORE SPECIFICALLY:
This course answers the question “How do computers actually work?”
approach the question from two directions:
•
We’ll
In the lecture portion of the course, we’ll take a theoretical, bottom-up
approach, starting with how data is represented using bits, continuing
through digital logic and simple circuits, to simple CPU architecture and the
processor instruction set. From there, we’ll look at memory hierarchies,
input/output systems, and beginning operating systems concepts.
•
A hands-on and practical approach, taken in the laboratory portion, will
complement the more theoretical classroom approach. The labs will (mostly)
be designed to give you hands-on experience working with PCs, learning how
to purchase, install, troubleshoot and repair them in a practical, every day
manner.
T EXTBOOK
AND OTHER RESOURCES
Main course text: “The Essentials of Computer Organization and Architecture, 5th
edition” by Linda Null and Julia Lobur. Publisher is Jones and Bartlett, ISBN is
978-1284123036.
•
This textbook is required, and will be used extensively for out-of-class
preparations and problem sets.
Lab texts: “Mike Meyers' Comptia A+ Guide to Managing and Troubleshooting PCs,
6th Edition (Exams 220-1001 & 220-1002)” (ISBN-13 978-1260455069) and “Mike
Meyers' Comptia A+ Guide to Managing and Troubleshooting PCs Lab Manual, 6th
Edition (Exams 220-1001 & 220-1002)” (ISBN-13 978-1260454574)
O BJECTIVES
After completing this course, you should be able to:
•
•
•
•
•
Describe the basic design of a modern computer: [CS, CD]
o Data representation
o Basic digital logic
o Basic processor architecture
o Instruction Set Architecture
o Memory system organization and addressing
Select, install, troubleshoot, and repair computer hardware in a typical
residential or business setting. [CR]
Analyze the hardware/software interface. [CD]
Explain how a computer executes an algorithm. [CS]
Assess the nature of algorithmic problem solving and critique its limitations.
[CS, RO]
F OUR C OORDINATES G OALS
The Four Coordinates that structure the entire curricular enterprise at Dordt
College all play a role in this class. Of course, in every class some of the coordinates
will be more prominent than others. In this course, the coordinates will occur in
roughly the following priority order:
Creational Structure – This coordinate is the most appropriate category for
thinking about questions of “How does that work?”
Gaining an
understanding of the structures and principles that enable a computer
system to function will provide you with additional insight into the workings
of God’s creation.
Creational Development – Understanding computers often requires us to
understand the historical development that produced them. Technology is
always influenced by the culture that produces it, and then goes on to
influence that culture in return. Understanding this interplay is a central
part of understanding the technology. Accounting for the effects of the Fall
and working towards Redemption are central to using computers well.
Contemporary Response – The use of computer technology is pervasive in our
culture, and a great deal of benefit can be gained by employing it
appropriately. Learning how to help others use their computers effectively,
and to configure, administer, and maintain them, is an important course
goal.
Religious Orientation – Acknowledging that the whole world belongs to God
requires us to examine all aspects of creation in light of His sovereignty, and
to “discern the spirits of our times” which pull at our heart commitments. In
the case of learning about computer systems, for example, this means paying
attention to the technicism and consumerism evident in much of our society,
and countering that with a Biblical view of human flourishing.
C URRICULAR C ONTEXT
•
•
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This course is required for all Computer Science majors.
This course is a prerequisite for CMSC 340 – Advanced Topics in SystemsLevel Programming.
This course is designed to meet a major portion the ACM/IEEE Joint Task
Force Computing Curricula guidelines for computer and organization.
After completing the course, and in particular the laboratory portion, you
should be in a good position to take an introductory certification exam, such
as CompTIA’s A+ Certification.
Some additional targeted self-study
preparation for the exam may be required.
A SSIGNMENTS
AND
E VALUATION
The overall semester grade will be
assigned using the following
percentages:
Reading Guides
15%
Problem Sets
20%
Lab Reports
20%
Midterm Exams
(2 of them) 26%
Final Exam
19%
Total
100.00%
Grades will be assigned based on the
following percentage scale:
94 – 100%
91 – 93.9%
88 – 90.9%
85 – 87.9%
82 – 84.9%
79 – 81.9%
76 – 78.9%
73 – 75.9%
70 – 72.9%
67 – 69.9%
64 – 66.9%
0 – 63.9%
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Exceptional
Good
Graduation Average
Unsatisfactory
Failure
READING GUIDES for each assigned reading will be due the day that section is to be
discussed. The Reading Guides are intended to: a.) Motivate you to do the readings
and b.) Help you get the most out of your time spent reading. They will be graded on
a pass/fail basis. A completed Reading Guide, turned in on time, will get 100%. A
completed Reading Guide turned in up to one week late will get 75%. Reading
Guides that are incomplete or turned in after one week will earn 0%. Reading
Guides are to be completed individually.
Five PROBLEM SETS will be assigned during the semester. Discussing problems
with others is allowed and even encouraged, but the assignments must be completed
and handed in individually. When you discuss a problem with someone else, you
should not take notes; you must understand it sufficiently well that you can
complete the assignment on your own, in your own words. Late problem sets will
have 25% deducted. Problem sets will not be accepted more than two weeks late.
A written LAB REPORT will be due for each laboratory assignment.
There will be two MIDTERM EXAMS and a cumulative FINAL EXAM.
E XPECTATIONS , A TTENDANCE
AND
P ARTICIPATION
It will be assumed that you complete all assigned readings before the class period in
which they are discussed. The material in the textbook can be quite technical in
nature, and you may need to read some sections more than one time to fully digest.
Attendance for all class periods is expected, as is participation in classroom
discussions. Learning requires more than simply being exposed to the material;
retention requires that you actively process the subject. Classroom interactivity not
only makes the classroom a more enjoyable place to be, but also significantly
improves your long-term learning experience.
Mobile phones and tablets are not welcome in class. Your laptop should only be used
for directly class-related activities.
C ALENDAR
Week Day
1
Fri Jan 14
Topic
Introduction
Read
Assignments
2
1.1 - 1.11
2.1 - 2.4
P.S. 1 Given
Wed Jan 19
Fri. Jan 21
Historical Development; Computer Models
Data Representation; Positional Number Systems,
Integers
Lab
Data Representation; Floating-point, Characters
3
Mon Jan 24
Wed Jan 26
Wed Jan 26
Fri Jan 28
Boolean Algebra
Logic Gates and Digital Components
Lab
Combinational Circuits
3.1, 3.2
3.3, 3.4
4
Mon Jan 31
Wed Feb 2
Wed Feb 2
Fri Feb 4
Sequential Circuits
Buffer
Lab
CPU Organization
3.6, 3.7
5
Mon Feb 7
Wed Feb 9
Wed Feb 9
Fri Feb 11
The “MARIE” Simple Computer
Instruction Processing
Lab
Assemblers, Compilers, Linkers, and Run-time
4.8
4.9, 4.10
6
Mon Feb 14
Wed Feb 16
Wed Feb 16
Fri Feb 18
Instruction Decoding
Real-World Processors
Lab
Instruction Formats
4.13
4.14
Mon Feb 21
Wed Feb 23
Web Feb 23
Fri Feb 25
Buffer/Review
Test 1 – Chapters 1 – 4
Lab
Addressing
8
Mon Feb 28
Wed Mar 2
Wed Mar 2
Fri Mar 4
Pipelining
Memory Addressing and Hierarchy, Caching
Lab
Caching Schemes
9
Mon Mar 14
Wed Mar 16 Virtual Memory
Wed Mar 16 Lab
Fri Mar 19 Buffer
10
Mon Mar 21 Memory Management; Compiler considerations;
Speculative Execution
Wed Mar 23 Input/Output System
Wed Mar 23 Lab
Fri Mar 25 Bus Control and Operation
6.5-6.6
Mon Mar 28
Wed Mar 30
Wed Mar 30
Fri Apr 1
7.6-7.9
7A
7
11
Mon Jan 17
Wed Jan 19
Hard Drives
Drives; Raid; Data Compression
Lab
Operating Systems
2.5 - 2.7
3.5
4.1 – 4.7
P.S. 1 Due
P.S. 2 Given
4.11, 4.12
5.1, 5.2
P.S. 2 Due
5.3, 5.4
Spring Break
5.5
6.1 – 6.3
P.S. 3 Given
6.4
7.1 – 7.5
8.1, 8.2
P.S. 3 Due
P.S. 4 Given
12 Mon Apr 4
Wed Apr 6
Wed Apr 6
Fri Apr 8
Operating Systems and Protected Environments
Programming Tools
Lab
Alternative Architectures
13 Mon Apr 11
Wed Apr 13
Wed Apr 13
Fri Apr 15
Buffer/Review
Test 2 – Chapters 5 – 8
Lab
8.5, 9.1,
9.2, 9.3
P.S. 4 Due
Easter break
14 Mon Apr 18
Wed Apr 20 Alternative Architectures
Wed Apr 20 Lab
Fri Apr 22 Embedded Systems
15 Mon Apr 25
Wed Apr 27
Wed Apr 27
Fri Apr 29
Buffer
Performance Benchmarking
Lab
Performance Optimization
16 Mon May 2
Wed May 4
Wed May 4
Fri May 6
Storage Interfaces
Lab
Buffer
Exam Review
Tue May 10
10:30AM
8.3
8.4
Final Exam
Easter break
9.4 – 9.6
P.S. 5 Given
10.1 – 10.3
11.1 – 11.4
11.5, 11.6
13.1-13.6
P.S. 5 Due
O THER C OLLEGE M ATTERS
S TUDENTS ’ R IGHTS TO A CCOMMODATIO NS
Dordt University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students
with documented qualifying disabilities in accordance with federal laws and
university policy. Any student who needs access to accommodations based on the
impact of a documented disability should contact the Academic Enrichment Director:
Sharon Rosenboom, Academic Enrichment Center, Office: L166, (712) 722-6488,
Email: Sharon.Rosenboom@dordt.edu.
C LASSROOM A TTENDANCE P ROTOCOL
As we begin the Spring 2022 semester, class attendance policies and procedures as
outlined in the Student Handbook are in place. To paraphrase the Student
Handbook, Dordt University as an institution remains committed to in person
instruction for face-to-face courses. As a result, you are expected to be present for
every class period and laboratory period. Should you need to miss class for any
reason, contact your instructor as soon as possible (either prior to the absence or
immediately following). Absences for Dordt-sponsored curricular or co-curricular
activities will be communicated by the activity sponsor and are considered excused.
Methods of making arrangements for missed work are back to normal (pre-COVID).
You are responsible to contact your instructor. Your instructor is not required to
provide real time (synchronous) learning for you should you be absent for class for
any reason (ex. Zooming into your real time class). Your instructor is also not
required to provide asynchronous virtual learning materials for you (ex. recordings
of missed classes, powerpoints, other materials on Canvas). While some instructors
might utilize some of the synchronous/asynchronous methods of making up work on
occasion, you should not expect all instructors to provide these experiences
automatically. Methods of making up missed work might include: contacting a
fellow student to get notes from class, extensions on assignments or labs, or other
methods as determined by your instructor. Making arrangements for missed class
work is your responsibility!
Please see your instructor’s specific attendance policy.
A CADEMIC I NTEG RITY
Dordt College is committed to developing a community of Christian scholars where all
members accept the responsibility of practicing personal and academic integrity in obedience
to biblical teaching. For students, this means not lying, cheating, or stealing others' work to
gain academic advantage; it also means opposing academic dishonesty.
Academic Dishonesty. Students found to be academically dishonest will receive academic
sanctions from their professor (from a failing grade on the particular academic task to a
failing grade in the course), who will report the incident and the sanction given to the
Student Life Committee for possible institutional sanctions (from a warning to dismissal
from the college).
Appeals in such matters will be handled by the student disciplinary process as outlined in
the Student Handbook.
Academic dishonesty at Dordt College includes, but is not limited to, the following behaviors:
1. Stealing/Plagiarizing: copying another's work or ideas and creating the impression
that they are one's own by failing to give proper credit or citation. This includes
reading or hearing another's work or ideas and using them as one's own; quoting,
paraphrasing, or condensing another's work without giving proper credit; purchasing
or receiving another's work and using, handling, or submitting it as one's own work.
2. Cheating: unauthorized use of any study aids, equipment, or another's work during
an academic task. This includes using unauthorized aids or other equipment during
an examination; copying or looking at another individual's examination; taking or
passing information to another individual during or after an examination; taking an
examination for another individual; allowing another individual to take one's
examination; stealing examinations.
• All graded academic tasks are expected to be performed on an individual
basis unless otherwise stated by the instructor.
• An academic task may not be submitted by a student for course credit in
more than one course without the permission of all instructors.
3. Lying/Fabricating: the intentional, unauthorized falsification or invention of any
information or citation during an academic task. This includes changing or adding an
answer on an examination and resubmitting it to change the grade; inventing data
for a laboratory exercise or report.
4. Facilitating Academic Dishonesty: knowingly allowing or helping another
individual to plagiarize, cheat, or fabricate information.