CSIT 301: Course Syllabus
(Computer Architecture and Hardware)


Contact Info:   

Thomas E. Blum
Office: H-133
Office Hours: Mon. 10-11, Tues. 10-11, Wed. 10-11 (Holroyd 133 or H 124), or by appointment
Phone: 215-951-1139
e-mail: blum@lasalle.edu
Web: http://www.lasalle.edu/~blum

Description:

The course provides an overview of the hardware components of a PC with an emphasis on how they are organized and made to work together. The course examines software issues at a level close to the hardware and principles of processor and memory optimization (caching, pipelining, paralleism, etc.)

Meetings:

Monday-Wednesday 3:30 - 4:45

Location:

Holroyd 120

Relevant Online Text:

 PC Hardware in a Nutshell, Third Edition, Thompson and Thompson, O'Reilly

To find the library's online technical books, go to the library's catalog page and do a keyword search on "Safari online".

Websites:

Assessment:      

 The components of the course will be weighted as follows
    Tests: 54% 3 tests
    Final: 18% The final is cumulative with some emphasis on any previously untested material.
    Assignments: 24%  
    Class: 4%  
Or if it is beneficial to the student, the following alternative weighting scheme will be used:
    Tests: 36% lowest test dropped
    Final: 36%
    Assignments: 24%
    Class: 4%

In addition,

  • Assignments include homeworks and labs. They are to be done individually unless explicitly stated otherwise.
  • The nature of the material on the test will determine whether the test is written or on the computer and whether it is open-book or closed book. The date of a test will be announced at least one week before it is given.
  • If at any time you take information from any source (book, website, etc.), that source should be cited. Failing to do so may be considered plagiarism and thus cheating. Any time you are requested to summarize an article, it is expected that the summary will be in your own words.
  • Labs and homeworks are due a week after they are assigned. Labs and homeworks submitted after the test on the relevant material will not be eligible for full credit.
  • The plus/minus grading system will be used.
  • Attendance will be taken.
  • Absences, lateness, etc. will be reflected in the class portion of the grade. More than three unexcused absences may result in the lowering of a grade.
  • Make-up tests are given at the discretion of the professor. You have to meet with me to discuss the reason for missing the exam and to schedule a make-up. It may be decided that the missed test will serve as your dropped score (see the second grading scenario above).
  • It is the responsibility of the students to keep copies of all submitted materials (tests, homeworks, labs, and so on) until a final grade is received for the course.

Classroom Behavior:

While in the classroom, students should behave in a manner that is neither distracting to nor disrespectful to the professor or other students. Cell phones should be turned off.

Cheating:

 When using materials from a book, website, etc., the source must be cited; otherwise it is considered plagiarism. Claiming another's work as your own is cheating. A student caught cheating will receive a score of zero. Cheating may result in a reduction of the final grade. Repeated cheating can result in a failing grade for the course. Asking another for help on part of a homework is acceptable; handing in duplicate or nearly duplicate work is not. If you require a significant amount of assitance, you should seek my help. Finally, openly allowing your work to be copied is also cheating.