ITEC 502: Computer Organization and Operating Systems

Prerequisite: ITEC 400 or ITEC 500 or ITEC 220 or permission of ITEC department

Credit Hours: (3)

This course covers relationships among computer components, structures and systems, hardware features, costs, capabilities and selection. It also includes the principles of operating systems and the inter-relationships between the operating system and the architecture of computer systems.

 Detailed Description of Content of Course

Topics covered:

1. Introduction

        a. Computer processor history and OS history

        b. Hardware, software and firmware

        c. Language levels, translation/interpretation

        d. Computer organization, fetch/execute cycle

2. Assembly language programming

        a. Review: number systems and 2's complement representation

        b. Simple programs: arithmetic, logic, i/o

        c. Decisions and control structures

        d. Addressing modes and effective addresses

        e. Data structure representation

        f. Floating point representation

        g. Instruction format

3. Processor design

        a. Review: combinational circuits

        b. ALU

        c. Processor implementation: single and multiple cycle

        d. Buses

        e. Pipelines

4. Memory and external devices

        a. Memory elements: flip flops and registers

        b. Memory: DRAM and SRAM, errors

        c. Cache

        d. External storage devices

5. Instruction set categories and computer performance

6. System software

        a. Macros

        b. Assemblers

        c. Compilers

        d. Operating systems

7. Processes and Threads

8. Deadlock

9. Memory management

10. Input/output

11. File systems

12. Multiple Processor Systems

13. Security

14. Educational issues of teaching Computer Organization and OS

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The focus of this course is to understand low-level programming, hardware components, and the principles of operating systems.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

1. To provide students with an understanding of the computer as a multi-level machine.

2. To provide students with an understanding of the implementation of the digital logic, microprogramming and conventional machine levels.

3. To provide students with an understanding of the principles of operating system.

 Assessment Measures

Graded assignments typically include at least one in-class exam and a final exam. Frequent problem sets may also be assigned and graded. A hardware project may also be required.

Other Course Information

None.