CS 2733, Fall 2007
Computer Organization II

Instructor: Daniel A. Jiménez, dj@cs.utsa.edu
Office: SB 4.01.58
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 3:30pm to 5:00pm

Teaching Assistant: TBA

Class Times:
Lecture: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30am to 10:45am in BB 3.04.18
Recitation (CS 2731): Tuesdays, 11:00am to 11:50am in SB 3.02.10A

Textbook: Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective by Randal E. Bryant and David O'Hallaron, ISBN number 0-13-034074-X

Prerequisites: CS 1721, CS 1723, CS 2511, and CS 2513. Concurrent enrollment in CS 2731 is required.

From the Undergraduate Catalog: Assembly language programming and computer organization.

From the professor:

Think of the computer as a automobile. So far, you have begun to learn how to drive, that is, to program the computer in a high-level programming language. But what goes on under the hood? That is, what are the mechanisms underneath the programming language that cause your program to execute? This class will provide an answer to that question. You will learn how simple electronic devices are linked together to form the complex computer systems we use. You will see how information is represented and how representations can have an impact on the programs you write. Many of the mysteries behind the sometimes strange behavior of high-level programming languages will be revealed. You will learn a very low-level programming language called assembly language that is part of the interface between software and hardware. You will learn how details of the implementation of the computer, such as the memory system, can affect the performance of your programs. When you leave this class, you will have developed an accurate mental model of the way computers work so that when you write programs in a high-level language you will have a good idea of what is really going on when your program runs. Thus, you will become a better programmer.

About The Recitation Section

Your teaching assistant will lead a recitation covering the topics presented the lecture. The TA will administer quizzes, discuss assignments, answer you question, and in general serve as a resource to give you a better idea of what is going on in the class than your crazy absent-minded professor can. Attendance at the recitation is mandatory.

Course Requirements:

Policy on Assignments and Tests

Late assignments are not accepted. If you have not completed an assignment by the time it is due, turn in what you have for partial credit. Make-up tests are generally not given except for university sanctioned reasons, such as religious holidays, documented illnesses, catastrophic events, or other grave situations. You must inform the professor before missing the test. Quizzes may not be made up.

Academic Dishonesty

In CS 2733, you may not work together with anyone else on your assignments. You may not turn in someone else's work as your own. You may discuss general ideas related to the assignment with others, but you may not e.g. share program code or read each others' answers. If you are unsure whether your actions constitute forbidden collaboration, stop what you're doing and ask the professor. You may not communicate with each other or bring unauthorized objects during exams. Instances of academic dishonesty will be dealt with harshly, but the real cost comes when a student doesn't know how to answer questions on a test about issues involved in doing an assignment. The exams and some quizzes will be designed such that it will be impossible to receive a passing grade without having done the homework assignments by yourself.