CSIT 301 (Computer Architecture and Hardware)

CSIT 301 Syllabus

Contact Info:   

Thomas E. Blum
Office: O-128
Office Hours: Mon 10:00, Tues 2:00, Wed 2:00, Fri 10:00 or by appointment
Phone: 215-951-1722
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:

Tuesdays 6:15 - 9:00

Location:

Olney 200

Texts:

 Computer Architecture, Nicholas Carter, McGraw-Hill (Schaum's Outline)
All-in-One A+ Certification Michael Meyers and Scott Jernigan, McGraw-Hill

Websites:

Online Books:

List of Safari Tech Book Online
Instructions for Accessing Safari Tech Books Online

Title(s) relevant to this course:

  • Upgrading and repairing PCs / Scott Mueller

Assessment:      

 The components of the course will be weighted as follows
Tests: 54% 3 tests
Final: 18% The final is cumulative with an 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.
  • A late penalty of 10 pts (out of 100) will be deducted from your score for each week an assignment is late.
  • 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).
  • The students should keep all returned materials (tests, homeworks, labs, and so on) until a final grade is received for the course.

Self-Study:

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science will be conducting a self-study during the next four years. A part of this process involves inviting external experts who will review our course offerings, assessment measures, and student work. For this reason, faculty members will keep sample copies of students’ work including tests, homework assignments, programming assignments, and projects. Every effort will be made to ensure individual names are eliminated from these “artifacts.” If you prefer not to have your work included in this collection, please inform your instructor.

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:

 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.