CS 270 presents a top-down introduction to computer architecture after students have completed an introduction to Java programming.

The course contains:
• C programming
• Number representation;
• The Von Neumann model
• Instruction Set Architecture
• Assembly language programming;
• Digital logic and gates.

The concepts in this course will be reinforced through assignments in C, LC3 assembly language, and Logisim based circuit design.

The textbook covers this material in a bottom-up fashion so we will cover the chapters in a different order. See the Progress page for more information.

Graded activities will occur each week.

Instructor Russ Wakefield Office Location: CSB 240 Office Hours: WF 9-10 AM Section 001 TR 2:00 - 3:15 PM Engineering 120 Section 002 TR 11:00 - 12:15 PM Clark A202 GTAs Zahra Borhani Fahad Ullah Hari Hara Kumar Rajanala UTAs Nick Odell Max You Please post questions on Piazza

CS 161 (C or better), CS 200/220 (or concurrent registration), MATH 141 or MATH 155 or MATH 160 (C or better).

Computer Organization (Required):

Introduction to Computing Systems, from bits and gates to C and beyond
Patt and Patel (second edition)

iClickers (Required):

You are required to purchase an iClicker remote for in-class participation. iClicker is a response system that allows you to respond to questions we pose during class, and you will be graded on that feedback and participation. In order to receive this credit, you will need to register your iClicker remote on Canvas and bring it to the class everyday.

What	Section	Days	Time	Where	Who	Helper
Lecture	001	Tue/Thu	2:00-3:15	Engineering 120	Russ
Lecture	002	Tue/Thu	11:00-12:15	Clark A202	Russ
Recitation	L02	Wed/Fri	9:00am-9:50am	COMSC 325	Hari	Max
Recitation	L03	Wed/Fri	10:00am-10:50am	COMSC 325	Hari	Max
Recitation	L04	Wed/Fri	11:00am-11:50am	COMSC 325	Hari	Nick
Recitation	L05	Wed/Fri	12:00pm-12:50pm	COMSC 325	Fahad	Zahra
Recitation	L06	Wed/Fri	01:00pm-01:50pm	COMSC 325	Fahad	Nick
Recitation	L07	Wed/Fri	02:00pm-02:50pm	COMSC 325	Zahra	Max
Recitation	L08	Wed/Fri	03:00pm-03:50pm	COMSC 325	Zahra	Nick

Days	Time	Who	Where
Mon	5pm - 7pm	Hari	COMSC 120
Mon	7pm - 9pm	Zahra
Tue	9am - 11am	Hari
Thu	2pm - 4pm	Fahad
Fri	10am - 12pm	Zahra
Fri	2pm - 4pm	Fahad

Days	Time	Who	Where
Fri	12 PM - 2 PM	Max	COMSC120
Fri	4 PM - 5 PM	Nick

The course requires demonstration of a student’s grasp of the concepts on evaluations. Here is the grading scheme:

Activity	Weight	Description
Assignments	20%	C and LC3 programs, logic designs
Recitations	10%	Attendance and Completion
Quizzes	10%	iClicker and Canvas
Midterm	20%	First Midterm
Midterm	20%	Second Midterm
Final Exam	20%	Comprehensive Final

If you believe you have been graded unfairly, please post a regrade request in Piazza following the guidelines below:

• Make the post private!
• Select regrades as the folder.
• Explain why you believe you were graded unfairly.

Grades complaints will be considered only for two weeks immediately following when the assignment grade appears on Canvas!

• Assignments will be done individually. As required by the department, we will check for collaboration using a software tool, so do your own work!
• Recitations participation is strongly encouraged. Part of the class grade comes from successfully finishing the assigned lab work.
• Peer Instruction sessions are held during lectures, usually on Thursdays. Scores are weighted as follows: 70% for participation, 30% for correctness.

The assignment of letter grades will be made as follows. The percentage / point values may be adjusted down, but they will not rise.

Letter Grade	Points
A	≥90%
B	≥80%
C	≥70%
D	≥60%
F	<60%

Your average score on exams must be ≥65% to receive a passing grade (C) in this course.

Midterm and Final Exams: Examination dates are listed in the syllabus; be aware of them and plan accordingly. Make-up exams are only given for extraordinary circumstances (e.g., illness, death of family member). Students must notify the instructor as soon as possible, preferably before the start of the exam, so other arragmentments can be made.

On-line Quizzes: On-line quizzes will use Canvas. Two attempts within the given period are permitted. Late submissions are not accepted.

Peer Instruction: Make-ups will be given for missed peer instruction if you have a documented excuse. Please arrange with the instructor or a teaching assistant. If you are missing your iClicker during class, submit the answers on paper with your name and ID to the instructor at the end of that class for partial credit. This should be a rare occurrence; the amount of partial credit will decrease each occurrence.

Recitations: Make-ups will be given for missed recitations if you have a documented and approved excuse. Please arrange with the instructor or a teaching assistant.

Programming assignments: Programs are submitted electronically. Details of how this is done appears with the first assignment. Always check the progress page for due dates. The due date will include a day and time. The assignment may specify a late acceptance period which will include a late penalty of 20%. After the late period, electronic submission is closed; students that have not submitted programs receive zero points for the assignment.

Date	Description
First day of classes	Mon, Aug 20
Deadline to add	Sun, Aug 26
Registration (drop/add) closes	Wed, Sep 5
First Midterm	Week 6
Last day to withdraw	Mon, Oct 15
Second Midterm	Week 10
Last day of classes	Fri, Dec 7
Final Exam (Section 001)	Thu, 9:40am-11:40am
Final Exam (Section 002)	Tues, 6:20pm-8:20pm

The midterms will be held in the CS110 labs. The procedure for the final exam will be given in December.

All students taking this course are expected to participate actively. This includes asking and responding to questions. Students are also expected to scan the announcements on the home page and the progress page every day for updates. If an assignment changes significantly, we will send an email.