Høst 2023

INF-2200 Computer architecture and organization - 10 stp

The course is administrated by

Institutt for informatikk

Type of course

The course can be taken as a singular course.

Course overlap

D-241 Computer architecture 10 ects

Course contents

The course is basic and deals with the structure, design, and low-level programming of modern computers. In addition to fundamental principles for the construction of computers, technological developments that affect the design of new computer architectures or implementation are also addressed, decisions included in the construction of computers, as well as performance criteria for evaluating these decisions. The course deals with processors, storage, interconnections to peripherals as well as parallel processors. No prior knowledge of low-level programming or digital engineering is required.

Admission requirements

Higher Education Entrance Qualification + specific entrance requirements equivalent to MATRS: R1/(S1+S2). Application code: 9354 - Singular course in computer science.

Objective of the course

Knowledge - The students has knowledge about:

the structure and construction of modern computers, including instruction set architecture, processor design, memory hierarchy, storage and other I/O types, and multi-core processors.
methods and tools for evaluating computer architecture components, including performance and various design choices for building components.
how computer architecture interacts with machine programming and operational systems.

Skills - The students has skills in:

low-level (assembly) programming for MIPS and x86/x86-64 instruction set
implementation of simulators for MIPS processor simulation
evaluation of memory hierarchy parameters
discussion and description of computer architecture and organization

General competence - The student has general competency in:

in-depth understanding of technological developments that affect the design and implementation of computer architectures
knowledge for the choice and design of computer architecture based on the requirements of different systems and applications
knowledge of computer architecture behavior and impact on machine programming and low-level system development

Language of instruction

The language of instruction is English and all of the syllabus material is in English. Examination questions will be given in English, but may be answered either in English or a Scandinavian language.

Teaching methods

Lectures: 30 hours, Colloquium: 30 hours, Lab: 30 hours. The course is given every autumn semester.