Overview
This course provides a background in hardware and software technology that will enable systems development personnel to understand the trade-offs in computer architecture for effective use in a business or scientific environment. The course will explain system architecture for single-user, central, and networked computing systems; and single- and multi-user operating systems. It will help you gain a good understanding of general computer organization, basic microprocessor architecture and assembly language, and operating system internals.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to
- know modern computer architecture components.
- begin to write assembly language programs.
- obtain detailed knowledge about the internals of single-user and multi-user operating systems.
Evaluation
To receive credit for COMP 503, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least B– (70 percent), an average grade of at least 60 percent on the assignments, and a grade of at least 60 percent on the final exam.
The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1 | 20% |
| Assignment 2 | 20% |
| Assignment 3 | 20% |
| Final Examination | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Silberschatz, A., Gagne, G., & Galvin, P. B. (2018). Operating system concepts (10th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.