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: MW 10-11 AM Section 001 TR 9:30 - 10:45 AM Clark A201 GTAs Zahra Borhani Fahad Ullah UTAs Nick ODell (njodell@rams.colostate.edu) Kacey Schulz 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)

What	Section	Days	Time	Where	Who	Helper
Lecture	001	Tue/Thu	9:30-10:45	Clark A201	Russ
Recitation	L01	Wed/Fri	8:00am-8:50am	COMSC 225	Zahra	Kacey
Recitation	L03	Wed/Fri	11:00am-11:50am	COMSC 225	Fahad	Kacey
Recitation	L04	Wed/Fri	12:00am-12:50pm	COMSC 225	Zahra	Nick
Recitation	L05	Wed/Fri	1:00pm-1:50pm	COMSC 225	Nick	Fahad

Days	Time	Who	Where
Tues	12pm - 2pm	Zahra	COMSC 120
Thurs	12pm - 2pm	Zahra
Thurs	2pm - 4pm	Fahad
Fri	2pm - 4pm	Fahad

Days	Time	Who	Where
Wed	12 PM - 2 PM	Kacey	COMSC120
Wed	2 PM - 3 PM	Nick
Fri	11 AM - 12 PM	Nick
Fri	12 PM - 1 PM	Kacey
Fri	2 PM - 3 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%	Canvas
Midterm	20%	First Midterm
Midterm	20%	Second Midterm
Final Exam	20%	Final

If you believe you have been graded unfairly, please notify the instructor by posting to piazza using the following instructions.

• Make the post private!
• 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.
• Quizzes will be done individually on Canvas as homework.

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.

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	Jan 22
Deadline to add	Jan 27
Deadline to drop	Feb 6
First Midterm	Friday, Week 5
Last day to withdraw	Mar 25
Second Midterm	Friday, Week 10
Final Exam (Early Access)	Friday, Week 15
Final Exam	Tues, 9:40-11:40am

The midterms and the final exam 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.