Computer Organization (Offered Every Spring)
Ever wondered what magic truly happens inside your computer when you click a mouse, launch an app, or even just boot it up? This course takes you on an exciting journey deep into the heart of modern computing systems. We’ll peel back the layers of abstraction to understand the fundamental building blocks and principles that make software run efficiently on hardware. Get ready to gain a profound appreciation for the intricate dance between bits, bytes, and transistors!
Syllabus:
1. Introduction to Computer Systems 🚀
An exciting overview of the computer’s anatomy – from high-level software to low-level hardware. We’ll set the stage for our adventure into the machine’s core, understanding the big picture before diving into the details.
2. Information Encoding & Data Representation 🔡
How do computers understand numbers, text, images, and sound? We’ll decode the secrets of binary, hexadecimal, and various data formats that form the computer’s native language. Learn how all digital information is just a series of bits!
3. Arithmetic Operations & The ALU ➕➖
Dive into the “brain” of the computer! Learn how the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) performs lightning-fast calculations and logical operations, making complex computations possible. We’ll explore the algorithms behind addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division at the hardware level.
4. Memory Systems 🧠
From lightning-fast caches to vast hard drives, explore the hierarchy and magic of how computers store and retrieve information efficiently. Understand why some memory is faster than others and how virtual memory provides an illusion of infinite storage.
5. Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) ✍️
This is the “vocabulary” the CPU understands! We’ll learn how software instructions are designed and executed, bridging the gap between your high-level code and the low-level hardware. Discover the fundamental operations a processor can perform.
6. Control Unit Design 🚦
The orchestrator of the entire system! Discover how the control unit directs the flow of data and instructions, ensuring every component plays its part in perfect harmony. It’s the conductor of the CPU’s orchestra.
7. Input/Output (I/O) Systems 🌐
How do computers talk to the outside world? We’ll explore the mechanisms that allow your computer to interact seamlessly with keyboards, screens, networks, and other peripheral devices, managing their diverse speeds and requirements.
8. Bus Structures 🛣️
The digital highways connecting all the internal components! Understand how data travels reliably and efficiently between the CPU, memory, and I/O devices, and the different types of buses that facilitate this communication.
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