Module Code - Title:
ET4162
-
COMPUTING SYSTEMS ORGANISATION
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
By introducing the concept of connected computing using networking examples,
students will appreciate the driving forces affecting computer organisation and
architecture.
Students will learn about Instruction Set Architecture and its significance in
computer design.
Syllabus:
1. Networking Basics
a. Exploring the influence of networking on computer organisation
b. Introduction to networking infrastructure
c. Networks and the internet
2. Error correcting codes
3. Assembly language programming
4. Computer performance and performance measurement
5. RISC, CISC and limitations of each
6. An overview of multicore processing
7. Memory hierarchy in detail
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Analyse the performance of a simple networked system
2. Write a program in assembly language
3. Estimate the performance of an example computer
4. Describe the issues affecting pipelined processor operation
5. Explain the driving forces affecting the evolution of the modern computing
landscape
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
None
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
None
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The computing environment is continuing to change rapidly. This new module takes
into account recent developments such as multicore computing, energy efficiency
requirements etc, giving students an appreciation of how these developments have
changed the computing landscape.
Graduate Attributes:
Group project work allows student to develop collaborative skills;
Showing the relevance of the module to new developments allows students to
appreciate the need for lifelong learning and continuous acquisition of new skills
The requirement for energy efficient computing fosters a sense of responsibility in
students, who learn to design systems with a view to their energy use.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
D.A. Patterson & J.L. Hennessy (2017)
Computer Organization
and Design, ARM
Edition (or 5th
Edition)
, Morgan Kaufmann
A.S. Tanenbaum (2013)
Structured Computer
Organization
, Pearson
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
Michael.Johnson@ul.ie