Computer Systems
Duration
- One Semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- 48 hours face to face + blended
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
2023 teaching periods
| Hawthorn Higher Ed. Semester 2 |
||
|---|---|---|
Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Prerequisites
or
or
Or
Concurrent Pre-requisite
Assumed Knowledge
familiarity with boolean algebra and number systems
familiarity with boolean algebra and number systems
Aims and objectives
Students will become familiar with the design, programming, operation, and design constraints of computing hardware.
Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO)
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
1 Read and write assembly language programs for a simple microcomputer.
2 Identify the hardware components of a computer and the functions they perform.
3 Describe the overall behaviour of compilers, assemblers, linkers and interpreters.
4 Argue some of the trade-offs between hardware and software that occur in computer system design
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment and content.
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
Type | Hours per week | Number of Weeks | Total |
On Campus Lecture | 2 | 12 | 24 |
| On Campus Class in Computer Lab | 2 | 12 | 24 |
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 8.5 | 12 | 102 |
TOTAL | 150 hours |
Assessment
| Types | Individual/Group Role | Weighting | Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) |
| Assignment 1 | Individual | 15-25% | 1,2 |
| Assignment 2 | Individual | 15-25% | 1,2,3 |
| Examination | Individual | 50-60% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Laboratory Practicals | Individual | 5-10% | 1,2 |
Content
- Assembly language programming
- An introduction to program timing considerations and interrupts
- Serial and parallel input /output
- Memory types and organisation
- Basic computer organisation: Von Neumann and Harvard architectures
- The internals of a microcomputer using a RISC CPU
- An introduction to interfacing to the analogue world
- A block diagram of a complete CPU
- An introduction to data storage technologies
Study resources
- Reading materials.
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required texts will be made available in the Unit Outline.