GCO2812 Computer Origanisation will introduce students to basic computer hardware and operating systems software with emphasis on the concepts required to understand the low-level and internal operations of computer systems.
In particular, this includes study of data representation, simple digital logic, computer organisation including CPU, memory and input/output devices, as well as machine-level and assembly language programming, and operating system concepts with examples of process management, file system structures and user interfaces. The intention is to provide opportunities for students to relate the hardware knowledge covered in this unit to the concepts learned in their introductory programming and systems analysis classes and to give a more complete understanding of how hardware and software are used to build systems.
This provides opportunities for students to relate the use of programming languages and studies of system design and project management to their implementation on computer hardware.
ASCED Discipline Group Classification: 031305 Computer Engineering.
Objectives
On completion of this unit, students will be able to:
understand basic Computer Structure and Operation and demonstrate use of the associated vocabulary.
demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of Data Representation, Computer Arithmetic and Boolean Algebra using appropriate methods of implementation.
demonstrate detailed knowledge of Internal Bus, Memory, I/O organisations and interfacing standards.
describe the internal operation of the CPU and explain how it is used to execute instructions.
differentiate between machine language and assembly language and write assembly language programs to solve simple problems.
demonstrate an understanding of the basics of operating systems, file systems, and system software;
identify factors that affect computer performance.
use various simulators to demonstrate the operation of simple computer architectures.
Prerequisites
Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed GCO1815 and either GCO1810 or GCO1811. This unit is available to students enrolled in awards prior to 2006 only.
Unit relationships
GCO2812 is a core unit in the Bachelor of Information Technology.
Texts and software
Required text(s)
Null L., Lobur J., Essentials of Computer Organization and Architecture, second edition, Jones and Bartlett (2006) ISBN 0-7637-3769-0.
Textbook availability
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
MultiMedia Logic, ver1.4, SoftTronix, 2004 SPIM v7.3, (2006), MIPS32 simulator Process Viewer, v5.2, 2006 Runtime's Disk Explorer for FAT (trial version) Memory32P,v0.9,Monash University, 1999
All the above are included as part of the Standard Operating Environment used in Faculty computer Labs and may also be downloaded from the Unit web site.
Software may be:
downloaded from FIT1001 MUSO website
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 time per week for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.
Recommended reading
A. S. Tanenbaum, Structured Computer Organization, 5th Edition, Pearson Prentice-Hall, 2006, ISBN 0-13-148521-0 W. Stallings, Computer Organization and Architecture, 7th Edition, Pearson Prentice-Hall, 2006, ISBN 0-13-185644-8 S. D. Burd, Systems Architecture, 5th edition, Thomson Course Technology, 2006, ISBN 0-619-21692-1 W. Stallings, Operating Systems Internals and Design Principles, 5th edition, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005, ISBN 0-13-127837-1 A. Silberschatz, P. B. Galvin and G. Gagne, Operating System Concepts, Wiley, 7th edition, 2005, ISBN 0-471-69466-5 M. Palmer, M. Walters, T. Badgett and N. Jonker, Guide to Operating Systems, 3rd edition, Thomson Course Technology, 2004, ISBN 0-619-21347-7 A. S. Tanenbaum, Modern Operating Systems, 2nd edition, Prentice Hall, 2001, ISBN 0-13-092641-8 W. S. Davis and T. M. Rajkumar, Operating Systems - A Systematic Approach, 6th edition, Pearson Addison Wesley, 2004, ISBN 0-321-26751-6 I. M. Flynn and A. M. McHoes, Understanding Operating Systems, 4th edition, Thomson Course Technology, 2006, ISBN 0-534-42366-3 J. L. Ford, Windows Shell Scripting and WSH, Premier Press, 2002, ISBN 1-931841-26-8 M. G. Sobell: A Practical Guide to Linux, Prentice Hall, 2005, ISBN 0-13-147823-0 I. Englander: The Architecture of Computer Hardware and Systems Software, 3rd Edition, Wiley, 2003, 0-471-07325-3
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 GCO2812 are:
11 Study Guides will be made available to the students via the GCO2812 MUSO website.
A printed Reader containing short extracts from a number of text books and required to support parts of the study guides.
The GCO2812 web site on MUSO, where lecture slides, weekly tutorial exercises, assignment specifications, sample solutions, software and supplementary material will be available.
Newsgroups and eMail discussion lists available via the GCO2812 unit web site.
The timetable for on-campus classes for this unit can be viewed in Allocate+
Assessment
Assessment weighting
Assessment for on campus students consists of
6 practicals with a weighting of 30%,
a class test with a weighting of 10% and
an examination with a weighting of 60%.
Assessment for OCL students consists of
assignments with a weighting of 40%, and
an examination with a weighting of 60%.
Read this section VERY carefully.
Assessment Policy
To pass this unit you must:
Attend all practical classes (except where special consideration is granted eg. on medical gounds)
Achieve a minimum of 50% overall with the following minimum hurdles :
practicals 13/30 for on campus students, or assignments 17/40 for OCL students
exam 27/60
Failure to meet a hurdle will result in a maximum mark of 44N
Your score for the unit will be calculated by:
On campus students:
Final grade = 0.1T + 0.3P +0.6E, if the minimum hurdle for practicals and exam are met, else Maximum Final grade = 44N
OCL students:
Final grade = 0.4P +0.6E, if the minimum hurdle for practicals and exam are met, else Maximum Final grade = 44N
T = midsemester test percentage E = examination percentage P = Practical assesments/assignments percentage
Assessment Requirements
Assessment
Due Date
Weighting
Lab01
Week 5
5%
Mid semester test
Week 6 (4-4-2007)
10 %
Lab02
Week 7
5 %
Lab03
Week 9
5 %
Lab04
Week 10
5 %
Lab05
Week 11
5 %
Lab06
Week 12
5 %
Assignment 1(OCL)
Week 7
15 %
Assignment 2(OCL)
Week 10
15 %
Assignment 3(OCL)
Week 12
10 %
Examination 3 hours, closed book
Exam period (S1/07) starts on 07/06/07
60 %
Assignment specifications will be made available on the GCO2812 web site.
Assignment Submission
On-campus students demonstrate the laboratory assignment in the practical class sessions to the tutor on the nominated due date.
OCL students will submit the assignments electronically.
Extensions and late submissions
Late submission of assignments
On campus students :
If you miss a prac, you will be marked ABSENT, unless... You attend another prac the same week (with the approval of the Tutor)
At the end of the semester: SICK marks are changed to the average of your marks in the pracs you attended, provided you attended pracs worth at least 20 marks Any missed pracs in excess of 10 marks will receive a mark of 0
OCL students:
Assignments submitted after the due date will be accepted only in exceptional circumstances. If an assignment will be late, it is necessary to contact the lecturer at least 2 days before the due date and submit a written application for extension. You should provide documentation to support a request for late submission (Eg. Doctor’s Certificate).
Penalties are incurred from the due date at the rate of 20% reduction in grade for each day the assignment is late.
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.
OCL students:
Requests for extensions must apply to the Gippsland unit advisor, at least two days before the due date. Please note that your tutor cannot approve a request for extension. 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. Please use emails for extension requests.
Grading of assessment
Assignments, and the unit, will be marked and allocated a grade according to the following scale:
Grade
Percentage/description
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%.
Assignment return
OCL students:
We aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment cut-off date
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.
Unit improvements
Based on the student feedback the course content and the unit evaluations has been updated.
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
Communication methods
Preferred communications is via newsgroups for assignment / material related questions. Communications of a personal nature, which may include requests for assignment extensions, special consideration requests, or the need to discuss your personal progress can be emailed directly. You are not asked to put anything of a personal nature into your newsgroup postings. You can discuss matters over the phone but email is preferable.
Some students may feel a little uncertain about their assignment submissions and request if the assignment can be looked over prior to submission. Unfortunately this is not possible (and disadvantages other students). Use the assignment newsgroup to place a question related to your area of uncertainty.
Newsgroups allow student interaction between all tudents and the lecturer. The lectuerer will moderate the newsgroups twice a week. Students are welcome and encouraged to support other students by answering postings. A full list of newsgroups for this unit can be found on the unit website.
Notices
All students in this unit will have access to message areas known as newsgroups for unit discussion and information on the unit web site. You may post any questions you have to the appropriate newsgroup. You may also use these message areas to interact with staff and students. There will be at least three newsgroups, which are:
Notices
General
Assignments
All important announcements about the unit will be made in the first newsgroup. You can access these newsgroups at the unit web site at http://muso.monash.edu.au. You should visit these message areas at least weekly, to get the latest information about your studies.
Consultation Times
Monday 2PM-3PM
Thursday 2pm-3PM
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:
This person's profile is not available.
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.
