[Syllabus] | [Project] | [VHDL resource] | [Homework 1-6] | [Homework 7-12] |

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CMSC 411 Computer Architecture Spring 2010

Tuesday and Thursday 11:30am-12:45pm Sond 208

WWW access http://www.csee.umbc.edu/~squire

Textbook: Computer Organization and Design,

The hardware/software interface

    The authors Patterson and Hennessey have written a few books with 
    very similar titles, get the up-to-date book.
    Fourth  edition is ISBN 978-0-12-374493-7 (paper, with CD)
    Reading assignments are from the book.
    Third edition OK, adjust for new section numbers.

Grading Policy

 Distribution                       Course grade

 Final Exam    19%                  A 90% - 100%
 Mid-term Exam 15%                  B 80% - 89.9%
 Projects      30%                  C 70% - 79.9%
 Homework      36%                  D 60% - 69.9%
                                    

 The projects total is subdivided: for part1 33%, for part2a 20%,
 for part2b 13%, for part3a 24%, for part3b 10%.
 Partial credit is given on homework and projects.
 No partial credit on multiple choice, true-false, and 
 single answer exam questions.
 Check your grades on Blackboard.

Computer Engineering majors will have additional work

The ABET certification is slightly different for Computer Science
and Computer Engineering. Computer Engineering majors will see
additional tasks on some homework and some parts of the project.

Absolutely no copying

 UMBC rules apply to cheating/copying.
 You may work together and discuss homework and the project.
 You must do your own work and not copy from anyone else!
 Copying/cheating will result in a minimum punishment of a zero on
 that assignment for everyone involved, including the originator.
 Beware! Minor changes in homework from last semester designed
 to catch copying.

Computer usage

 You need access to UMBC computers.
 You then have access to the computers that
 will run VHDL for your project.

 All students must have an account on the UMBC machines.
 The projects and some homework will use the "submit" facility
 All students must be able to access the WWW to get assignments.
 Connections are available for remote use.

 Use BlackBoard for announcements and checking on your grades.
 Report any mistakes by EMail or at the next class.

Jon Squire, Instructor, ITE 226 office hours:

  Tu   2:00pm to 4:45pm  and by appointment ITE 226
  Th   1:30pm to 2:45pm
  EMail: squire@umbc.edu   24/7

T.A. Jagtap Pramod pramod1@umbc.edu

  office hours: Mon, Wed  11:30-12:30 ITE 353
  DO NOT EMail homework to T.A.
  All homework, except HW4 and HW6, may be turned in
  on paper or EMailed to  squire@umbc.edu (plain text only)

Check UMBC BlackBoard regularly, grades and notices

Course links

Student Academic Integrity

"By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in UMBC's scholarly community in which everyone's academic work and behavior are to be held to the highest standards of honesty. Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and helping others to commit these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty, and they are wrong. Academic misconduct could result in disciplinary action that may include, but is not limited to, suspension or dismissal. To read the full Student Academic Policy, consult the UMBC Student Handbook, the Faculty Handbook, or the UMBC Policies section of the UMBC Directory."

Last updated 2/3/10