COMPSYS 304 : Computer Architecture

Engineering

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Modern processor architectures. Principles of modern processor design; pipelining; memory hierarchies; I/O and network interfacing; compiler and OS support; embedded processors; performance; multiprocessing.

Course Overview

This course is an elective course for part III students of the Bachelor of Engineering. 

It is naturally divided in two parts, usually taught by two different lecturers.

In the first part, the study of fundamental concepts in modern computer systems' design and organisation is provided. It starts by introducing the instruction set architecture (ISA) as the boundary between the hardware and software. A subset of MIPS ISA is discussed in detail as a case study, and a quick review in assembly programming is covered. The next topic, high-level implementation of the processor, is studied through the single-cycle, multi-cycle, and pipelined implementations. The advantage of different implementations is examined through performance evaluation techniques. 

In the second part the focus is on a bit higher-level parts of the processor architecture. A central role plays the memory architecture and system: the structure and organisation of caches, virtual memory and the memory management unit. The last big topic is then the different forms of processor parallelism, from instruction level to thread level. Cache coherence and memory organisation play a major role for performance for multiprocessor systems and will be studied in detail.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: COMPSYS 201 Restriction: COMPSCI 313

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand the basics of modern computer architectures and quantitative principles of computer design in order to develop a conceptual understanding of issues involved in designing a high performance computer system (Capability 3.1)
  2. Use and apply the knowledge gained in this course to select computers for specific tasks. This course will give you an understanding of the effects of design decisions on performance and make you a well-informed consumer in addition to a processor designer. (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  3. Design and evaluate the instruction set architectures (both RISC and CISC) and how it can be related to the hardware/software interface in a computer system with a quick review in assembly programming (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2)
  4. Understand different processor implementation methods including the basic single-cycle implementation and how it can be extended to a multi-cycle, pipelined and superscalar implementations (Capability 3.2 and 4.1)
  5. Understand evaluation techniques and their relation to the target applications and the processor work load (Capability 5.1)
  6. Understand the memory hierarchy in a modern computer system and its impact on the performance of the system. This includes physical and virtual memory systems and basics of cache memories. (Capability 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2)
  7. Understand some basic principles of parallel computing as special topics in this course (more advanced materials for this part will be covered in a more advanced postgraduate level course) (Capability 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 6.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 30% Individual Coursework
Test 20% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Assignments
Test
Final Exam
The late submission penalty will be described for each assignment in its instructions.
Some parts of assignments may be as Quizzes.
Students must sit the exam to pass the course. Otherwise, a DNS (did not sit) result will be returned” to assessment section since you have a final exam.
A passing mark is 50% or higher, according to University policy.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 36 hours of lectures and tutorials, 36 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 78 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including lectures and tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Health & Safety

Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Informal feedback  and formal feedback from student surveys (SET survey) has regularly adjusted and improved this course in the past. 

The SET survey feedback has always been good. Any feedback in the future SET surveys will be considered. In addition, feedback provided by the class representative will be appreciated.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.