FIT9005 Computer architecture and networks - Semester 1, 2013

This unit introduces students to fundamentals of computer hardware and software, and networking. The unit provides knowledge of computer structure and operation, including Arithmetic-Logic Unit, computer registers, internal bus, memory; system software, including compilers and operating systems; and computer networking and data communication.

Mode of Delivery

• Caulfield (Day)
• Gippsland (Off-campus)

Contact Hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs tutorials/wk

Workload requirements

For on-campus students, the workload commitments total 12 hours per week during semester as follows:

• Lectures: 2 hours per week
• Practical classes/Tutorials: 2 hours per week
• Private study (revision, homework and practical class preparation): 8 hours per week

Unit Relationships

Prohibitions

FIT1005, FIT1031, FIT9018, FIT9020, BUS4150, BUS5112, CPE4002, CSE4884, CSE9801

Co-requisites

FIT9004 or FIT9017

Prerequisites

Proficiency in basic mathematics.

Chief Examiner

Campus Lecturer

Tutors

Academic Overview

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit students will have:Developed the ability to:

• understand basic Computer Structure and Operation and demonstrate use of the associated vocabulary;
• demonstrate knowledge of Arithmetic-Logic Unit, computer registers, Internal Bus, Memory, I/O organisations and interfacing standards;
• describe the operation of the CPU and explain how it is used to execute instructions;
• demonstrate an understanding of the basics of operating systems software using examples from File Systems, User Interfaces and Software Development Tools;
• discuss network architecture standards for open systems;
• describe TCP/IP network protocol;
• understand the fundamental functions and architectures of LAN and WAN.

Developed attitudes that enable them to:

• adopt a problem solving approach;
• accept the code of professional conduct and practice;
• act in accordance with best practice, industry standards and professional ethics.

Demonstrated the communication and teamwork skills necessary to:

• cooperate effectively within small groups;
• present their work in various forms.

Unit Schedule

Week	Activities	Assessment
0		No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0
1	LN0 -- Unit Introduction & LN1 -- Introduction to Computer Systems
2	LN2 -- Data Representation and Computer Arithmetic (I)
3	LN2 -- Data Representation and Computer Arithmetic (II)
4	LN3 -- Boolean Algebra and Digital Logic
5	LN4 -- Computer Architecture (I)	Tutorial Test 1 (TT1: LN1-LN2) will be held during this week's tutorials
6	LN4 -- Computer Architecture (II)
7	LN5 -- System Software	Tutorial Test 2 (TT2: LN3-LN4) will be held during this week's tutorials
8	LN6 -- Operating Systems (I)
9	LN6 -- Operating Systems (II)	Mid-semester Test (MST: LN1-LN5) will be held during this week's lecture
10	LN7 -- Introduction to Computer Networks	Tutorial Test 3 (TT3: LN5-LN6) will be held during this week's tutorials
11	LN8 -- The Application Layer
12	LN9 -- The Transport Layer; and The Network Layer	Tutorial Test 4 (TT4: LN7-LN8) will be held during this week's tutorials
	SWOT VAC	No formal assessment is undertaken in SWOT VAC
	Examination period	LINK to Assessment Policy: http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/ academic/education/assessment/ assessment-in-coursework-policy.html

*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your learning system.

Assessment Summary

Examination (3 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

Assessment Task	Value	Due Date
Mid-semester Test	12%	Wednesday 8 May 2013
Tutorial Tests 1, 2, 3, 4	28% total (7% each)	Weeks 5, 7, 10 and 12
Examination 1	60%	To be advised

Teaching Approach

Lecture and tutorials or problem classes

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Policy

Faculty Policy - Unit Assessment Hurdles (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/staff/edgov/policies/assessment-examinations/unit-assessment-hurdles.html)

Academic Integrity - Please see the Demystifying Citing and Referencing tutorial at http://lib.monash.edu/tutorials/citing/

Assessment Tasks

Participation

• Assessment task 1

  Title:

  Mid-semester Test

  Description:

  Test includes material taught in lectures and tutorials from LN1-LN5. Students are expected to include text and online references cited in the lecture notes and tutorials in preparing for this test.

  Weighting:

  12%

  Criteria for assessment:

  How well principles and procedures are demonstrated in the student's answers.

  Due date:

  Wednesday 8 May 2013

• Assessment task 2

  Title:

  Tutorial Tests 1, 2, 3, 4

  Description:

  • Tutorial Test 1: modules from (TT1: LN1-LN2)
  • Tutorial Test 2: modules from (TT2: LN3-LN4)
  • Tutorial Test 3: modules from (TT3: LN5-LN6)
  • Tutoiral Test 4: modules from (TT4: LN7-LN8)

  Students are expected to include text and online references cited in the lecture notes and tutorials in preparing for these tutorial tests.

  Weighting:

  28% total (7% each)

  Criteria for assessment:

  How well principles and procedures are demonstrated in the student's answers.

  Due date:

  Weeks 5, 7, 10 and 12

Examinations

• Examination 1

  Weighting:

  60%

  Length:

  3 hours

  Type (open/closed book):

  Closed book

  Electronic devices allowed in the exam:

  None

  Remarks:

  Students are expected to include text and online references cited in the lecture notes and tutorials in preparing for the exam.

Learning resources

Reading list

• J. FitzGerald and A. Dennis, Business Data Communications and Networking, 10th Edition, John Wiley & Sons Publishers, 2009. ISBN 978-0470-05575-5.
• Sebastian Coope, John Cowley and Neil Willis, Computer Systems: Architecture, Networks and Communications, McGraw-Hill, 2002. ISBN: 978-0077098032.
• Miles Murdocca and Vincent Heuring, Computer Architecture and Organization: An Integrated Approach, Wiley, 2007. ISBN: 978-0471733881.

Feedback to you

• Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
• Test results and feedback
• Quiz results
• Solutions to tutes, labs and assignments

Extensions and penalties

Returning assignments

Assignment submission

Online submission

If Electronic Submission has been approved for your unit, please submit your work via the learning system for this unit, which you can access via links in the my.monash portal.

Required Resources

SPIM. MIPS Simulator: http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/packages/smartAnimator/

Wireshark. Packet Analysis Software: http://www.wireshark.org/

Recommended Resources

D. Tarnoff, Downloadable textbook: Computer Organization and Design Fundamentals.

http://www.lulu.com/shop/david-tarnoff/computer-organization-and-design-fundamentals/ebook/product-17575586.html

Recommended text(s)

L. Null and J. Lobur. (2006). Essentials of Computer Organization and Architecture. (2nd Edition) Jones and Bartlett Publishing (ISBN: 0-7637-3769-0).

A. S. Tannenbaum. (2006). Structured Computer Organization. (5th Edition) Prentice Hall (ISBN: 9780131485211).

J. F. Kurose and K.W. Ross. (2010). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach. (5th Edition) Addison-Wesley Publishers (ISBN: 978-0136-07967-5).

Other Information

Policies

Graduate Attributes Policy

Student services

Monash University Library

Disability Liaison Unit

Your feedback to Us

Previous Student Evaluations of this Unit

Previous student evaluations of this unit have been very positive. After feedback from Semester 1, 2011, a more detailed coverage of computer architecture was introduced.