CSCI 311 - System Architecture
Syllabus for section D1, Spring 2024.
This class is an asynchronous online course. There are no scheduled class meetings.
Instructor Information
Dr. Mike Murphy
mmurphy2@coastal.edu
Office Location: Penny Hall (formerly AOC2) room 238
https://ww2.coastal.edu/mmurphy2
Office Hours
- MW 13:00 - 15:00
I am available at other times by appointment. Please email me for scheduling.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Explain the basic operation of a Central Processing Unit.
- Distinguish between different Instruction Set Architectures and identify benefits and weaknesses of various commercially available CPUs.
- Describe the operation of memory and storage devices, including addressing and partitioning schemes.
- Describe the hardware-software interface of a computer system, including the bootloader, kernel, firmware, and device drivers.
- Calculate power and cooling requirements for equipment given thermal design power specifications.
- Explain how multiple systems can be hosted within a data center in a safe and efficient manner.
ABET Assessment
This course measures the following Performance Indicators:
- 1.1. Define requirements and/or specifications for a computing problem.
- 1.2. Analyze a complex problem by breaking it down into smaller components.
- 1.6. Analyze a component of a complex problem.
- 2.4. Compare multiple solutions against requirements.
- IT 6.3. Select systems appropriate for different user and environment requirements.
Texts and Materials
- No textbook is required for this course.
- Readings, reference materials, tutorials, and videos will be assigned.
Technology Requirements
- Broadband Internet access is required to access course materials.
- A device capable of taking online quizzes using Moodle is required.
- Assignments may require access to a laptop or desktop computer system capable of running specialized software, which may include virtualization systems. Recommended specifications are listed on the departmental Computing Requirements page.
Grading
Grades will be broken into different categories and weighted as follows:
| Category | Weight |
|---|---|
| Quizzes | 70% |
| Assignments | 30% |
The final course grade will be computed using the standard 10-point scale:
| Grade | Range |
|---|---|
| A | 90-100 |
| B+ | 85-89 |
| B | 80-84 |
| C+ | 75-79 |
| C | 70-74 |
| D+ | 65-69 |
| D | 60-64 |
| F | 0-59 |
There is NO final exam in this course.
Quizzes
Most of the grade for this course is based on weekly quizzes. These quizzes are delivered via Moodle and will cover course learning materials, readings, etc. Some weeks may have multiple quizzes due, depending on the topics covered that week. You will have an unlimited number of attempts on each quiz, and you MAY work together as long as you aren’t simply sharing answers. Each quiz attempt draws random questions in a random order from the underlying question bank, so it is to your benefit to review the material prior to attempting each quiz.
Assignments
Two assignments will be given in this course: one during the first half of the course and the other during the second half. Multiple assignment choices will be available and are listed on the course website. Assignments must be completed individually and submitted in a video format accepted by the Moodle assignment activity (MP4 and WEBM formats are recommended).
Late Work
Each graded item has an automatic one-week extension between the DUE date and the closing date. There is no need to submit documentation or request an extension since one is provided automatically. That said, you should treat the DUE dates as due dates and not habitually submit work on or just before the closing date.
No work will be accepted after the corresponding closing date. It is your responsibility to plan ahead and be prepared for any contingencies that might arise during the semester (including illness, family emergencies, work conflicts, computer problems, and other things both within and beyond your control). Exceptions to this policy will be granted only for accommodations officially provided by Accessibility and Disability Services.
Attendance Policies
Regular participation in class is expected, but I do not record or grade attendance.
Please do NOT attend physical office hours if you are sick. Instead, please let me know via email at least an hour before the scheduled meeting so that you can participate electronically.
Other Policies
Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence
The CCU Academic Integrity Code applies to this course. In particular, making false statements, hiring or permitting someone else to complete course activities, working together on individual activities, and willful and flagrant plagiarism are all examples of academic integrity violations. Violations of the CCU Academic Integrity Code in this course may result in a course grade of FX.
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT MAY NOT be used in this course. Use of an AI tool on a quiz or assignment is an academic integrity violation.
Communications Policy
I will normally reply to email within 1-2 business days. Email received over a weekend or on a holiday may not receive a response for 1-2 business days after the weekend or holiday. Please note that I’m only able to answer the phone and return phone calls on days where I work from the office (typically, days when I have posted office hours). Email is a much faster way to reach me and receive a reply.
Disability Accommodations
Per University policy, I can only grant you accommodations that are authorized through Accessibility and Disability Services. Please have your accommodations information sent to me within the first week of class or within a week of approval if accommodations are implemented in the middle of the semester. Note that quizzes in this course are NOT timed, and lectures are prerecorded with closed captioning.
Contingency Plan
Per the CCU Academic Continuity Plan, courses will continue online whenever the University is unable to hold in-person classes. If this course has a synchronous meeting time, then we will meet online using a University-licensed meeting platform. All other activities will proceed as scheduled, unless the University announces otherwise. ALWAYS take your laptop or other computer with you whenever you go out of town, including during University breaks, evacuations, and other travel. Remember that you could encounter travel difficulties and have issues returning on time, even if University operations are not affected.
For fall semester courses, please review my Hurricane Information page. Always monitor your email and the CCU Website for official announcements regarding irregular operations.
Disclaimer
Portions of this course may deal with issues related to cost analysis, laws, and ethics. I am not a lawyer, accountant, or financial advisor, and no portion of this class constitutes legal, financial, or other regulated professional advice. This syllabus is tentative and is subject to change with notice to the class during the semester. If a portion of this syllabus is found to be non-compliant with University policies or applicable laws, the remainder of this syllabus will remain effective.