CSE1200 Computer Systems , Unit Information Guide (Semester 1, 2006)

Chief Examiner Laurence Bull
Lecturers
Caulfield : Laurence Bull
Outline This unit aims to provide students with a knowledge of the workings of computer systems together with an introduction to the methods of data representation and data communication. Topics include CPU and memory, instruction sets, the fetch execute cycle, input and output devices, secondary storage, data representation, introduction to communications, transmission media and hardware, introduction to computer networks and the OSI model, network protocols and standards.
Objectives Knowledge and Understanding

 

  • knowledge required to identify the components and structure of a central processing unit (CPU) and memory;
  • knowledge required to evaluate the peripherals and data storage devices that best suit a particular application;
  • knowledge required to evaluate business and technical factors that affect data network design and installation

 

Attitudes, Values and Beliefs

 

  • begun to develop a professional attitude, in particular to develop an appreciation of the necessity of international and industry standards in computing and communications.

 

Practical Skills

 

  • competently use a single-user operating system;
  • identify and use common data communications equipment;

 
Prerequisites There are no prerequisites for this unit.

Unit relationships This unit is a core unit in the bachelor of computing and will act as prerequisite for CSE1201 in that degree.
Texts and software

Required text(s)

 

  • Stephen Burd, Systems Architecture, Thompson Course Technology, 4th Edition, 2003.

    •  

    Text books are available from the Monash University Book Shops. Availability from other suppliers cannot be assured. The Bookshop orders texts in specifically for this unit. You are advised to purchase your text book early.

    Software requirements:

    There is no required software.

    Hardware requirements:

    Students studying off-campus are required to have the minimum system configuration specified by the faculty as a condition of accepting admission, and regular Internet access. On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to n hours per week for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.

    Recommended reading

    Englander,I. (2003). 3rd Edition "The Architecture of Computer Hardware and Systems Software" John Wiley & Sons.

    Norton P. (2002) " New Inside the PC" Sams Publishing

    Parker,Charles S. & Morley,D. (2002) 'Understanding Computers Today and Tomorrow' Course Technology** Good Introductory Text

     
    Library access You may need to access the Monash library either personally to be able to satisfactorily complete the subject.  Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.
    Study resources

    Study resources for CSE1200 are:

    The unit information outlining administrative arrangements for the unit.

    The unit website URL will be made available in the first lecture.

     
    Structure and organisation

    Week

    Topics

    Study Guide

    1 See unit website
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    Non-teaching
    8
    9
    10
    11
    12
    13
    Timetable

    The timetable for on-campus classes for this unit can be viewed in Allocate+
    Assessment

    Assessment for the unit consists of 2 assignments with a total weighting of 30% and an examination with a weighting of 70%.

    Assessment Policy

    To pass this unit you must:

    • achieve at least 40% for each assessment item,
    • achieve at least 50% of the overall score for the unit.

    Your score for the unit will be calculated by:

    A = assigment 1 mark out of 100

    B = assignment 2 mark out of 100

    C = examination mark out of 100

    Final score = 0.15A + 0.15B + 0.7C

    (Final score may be modified subject to policy on passing the unit, as outlined above)

    Assessment Requirements

    Assessment

    Due Date

    Weighting

    See unit website

    Assignment specifications will be made available in the lecture.. Information about assignments will be published on the Unit's Notices Newsgroup.

    Assignment Submission Methods

    Assignments will be submitted by electronic and paper submissions. On-campus Students submit the assignment to Assignment Collection Boxes on Level 6 of Building H by the due dates stated in the assignment specfications, with the appropriate cover sheet correctly filled out and attached. Do not email submissions, unless prior arrangements had been made with the lecturer. The due date is the date by which the submission must be received.

    Extensions and late submissions

    Late submission of assignments

    Late assignments will not be accepted unless an extension is granted (see below).

    This policy is strict because comments or guidance will be given on assignments as they are returned, and sample solutions may also be published and distributed, after assignment marking or with the returned assignment. 

    Extensions

    It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. 

    Requests for extensions must be made by email to the unit lecturer at least two days before the due date. You will be asked to forward original medical certificates in cases of illness, and may be asked to provide other forms of documentation where necessary. A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.

    Grading of assessment

    Assignments, and the unit, will be marked and allocated a grade according to the following scale:

    HD High Distinction - very high levels of achievement, demonstrated knowledge and understanding, skills in application and high standards of work encompassing all aspects of the tasks.
    In the 80+% range of marks for the assignment.
    D Distinction - high levels of achievement, but not of the same standards. May have a weakness in one particular aspect, or overall standards may not be quite as high.
    In the 70-79% range.
    C Credit - sound pass displaying good knowledge or application skills, but some weaknesses in the quality, range or demonstration of understanding.
    In the 60-69% range.
    P Pass - acceptable standard, showing an adequate basic knowledge, understanding or skills, but with definite limitations on the extent of such understanding or application. Some parts may be incomplete.
    In the 50-59% range.
    N Not satisfactory -  failure to meet the basic requirements of the assessment.
    Below 50%.

    We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment receipt.

    Feedback Feedback to you

    You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This feedback may be provided through your participation in tutorials and class discussions, as well as through your assignment submissions. It may come in the form of individual advice, marks and comments, or it may be provided as comment or reflection targeted at the group. It may be provided through personal interactions, such as interviews and on-line forums, or through other mechanisms such as on-line self-tests and publication of grade distributions.

    Feedback from you

    You will be asked to provide feedback to the Faculty through a Unit Evaluation survey at the end of the semester. You may also be asked to complete surveys to help teaching staff improve the unit and unit delivery. Your input to such surveys is very important to the faculty and the teaching staff in maintaining relevant and high quality learning experiences for our students.

    And if you are having problems

    It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem with your study. The semester is short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.

    Plagiarism and cheating

    Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating  has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.

    In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work. 

    When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer. 

    Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.

    Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.

    Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.
    Communication

    Students are encouraged to contact their tutor for assistance at any time via email, or during consultation hours. A discussion group will be made available on the unit web site (URL to be advised).

    Notices

    Notices regarding the subject will be presented during the lectures and will generally also be placed on the unit web site. Check this regularly. Failure to read the notices is not regarded as grounds for special consideration.

    Consultation Times

    To be advised in the lecture.

    If direct communication with your unit adviser/lecturer or tutor outside of consultation periods is needed you may contact the lecturer and/or tutors at:

    Mr Laurence Bull

    All email communication to you from your lecturer will occur through your Monash student email address. Please ensure that you read it regularly, or forward your email to your main address. Also check that your contact information registered with the University is up to date in My.Monash.

    Last updated: May 4, 2006