AC21009 Computer Systems 2A : Architecture Fundamentals and Unix Mini Guide
For the full module guide see AC21009 full guide
Organisation
The Module Co-Ordinator for this module is Dr Iain Murray.
If you want to talk about an aspect of the module, or your work on it, please make an appointment to see one of the lecturer(s):
Dr Iain Murray, irmurray@computing.dundee.ac.uk, 2.21 QMB
Dr Ekaterina Komendantskaya, katya@computing.dundee.ac.uk, 1.04 QMB
If you use email, please include "AC21009" in the heading.
Module Content and timetable
| Week | Topics Covered |
| One | Course introduction, architecture overview, historical perspectives |
| Two | Introduction to UNIX - shell and files |
| Three | Tutorials - trends in computer systems |
| Four | Processes and permissions |
| Five | Shell scripting and C programming |
| Six | Architecture: logic |
| Seven | Architecture: the fetch-execute cycle |
| Eight | Tutorials - software licencing |
| Nine | Architecture: CPU, memory, I/O |
| Ten | Architecture: compilers |
| Eleven | Architecture: towards the operating system |
| Twelve | Revision |
| Thirteen | Revision - degree exam in week 13 or 14 |
Assessment and Course-Work
Coursework counts for 40% of the final module mark.
The final degree exam counts for 60% of the final module mark.
Assignments
| C/W No. | Title | Format | Handed out | Due Date | When to do | Effort Expected | Return Date | % |
| AC21009.1 | Tutorial 1: Trends in Computing | Assessed tutorial | Week 1 | Monday of Week 3 | Weeks 1-2 | 5 hours | N/A | 5 |
| AC21009.2 | Programming 1: Shell scripting with BASH | Lab report + code | Week 2 | End of Week 6 | Weeks 2-6 | 8 hours | Week 6 | 8 |
| AC21009.3 | Tutorial 2: Software licensing | Assessed tutorial | Week 5 | Monday of Week 8 | Weeks 5-7 | 5 hours | N/A | 5 |
| AC21009.4 | Programming 2: Cellular Automaton | Lab report + code | Week 5 | End of Week 8 | Weeks 5-8 | 8 hours | Week 9 | 8 |
| AC21009.5 | Programming 3A: Manchester Baby Simulator | Lab report + code | Week 7 | Monday of Week 11 | Weeks 7-10 | 8 hours | Week 11 | 8 |
| AC21009.6 | Programming 3B: Manchester Baby Assembler | Lab report + code | Week 7 | Monday of Week 12 | Weeks 8-11 | 6 hours | Week 12 | 6 |
| AC21009.7 | Degree examination | Two-hour written paper | Week 14 | 60 |
Resource List
Format: Title, Author, Publisher, ISBN.
Essential Titles
- Linux: The Textbook, S.M. Sarwar R. Koretsky & S.A. Sarwar, Pearson/Addison-Wesley, 0-201-72595-9.
- The Architecture of Computer Hardware and Systems Software, I. Englander, John Wiley, 0-471-36209-3.
Recommended Titles
- The Linux A-Z, P. Cornes, Prentice Hall, 0-13-234709-1.
Background Reading
- Computer Organisation and Architecture, W. Stallings, Prentice Hall International, 0-13-394-255-4.
- Computer Organisation and Design, D.A. Paterson & J.L. Hennessy, Morgan Kaufman, 1-55860-281-X.
- Structured Computer Organisation, A.S. Tanenbaum, Prentice Hall, 0-13-020435-8.
Module Specification
For the formal module specification see AC21009 Comp Systems 2A Module Spec-12-13.doc