Syllabus for CSC 370

Contact Information
Thomas E. Blum
Office: O-128
Office Hours: Mon 10:00, Wed 10:00, Thu 2:00, Fri 10:00 or by appointment
Phone: 215-951-1722 or 215-951-1139
e-mail: blum@lasalle.edu
Web: http://www.lasalle.edu/~blum

Required Texts:
    Computer Architecture, Nicholas Carter, McGraw-Hill (Schaum's Outline)
    PC Hardware in a Nutshell, R. B. Thompson and B. F. Thompson, O'Reilly

Some useful sites
    http://www.pcguide.com
    http://www.webopedia.com
    http://whatis.techtarget.com/
    http://www.howstuffworks.com/

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.)

Assessment:

 There will be three tests and a cumulative final. The various components of the course will be weighted as follows:

Assignments:  24%
Class:4%
Tests:36% (lowest test dropped)
Final:36%

or if it benefits the student

Assignments:  24%
Class:4%
Tests:54% (no test dropped)
Final:18%

  • 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.
  • The plus/minus grading system will be used.
  • Attendance will be taken.
  • Absences, lateness, leaving early, inattention, etc. will be factored into the class component of the grade.
  • Three or more unexcused absences may result in the reduction of your final grade.
  • Unless an extension has been granted, a late assignment will be penalized 5 pts. (out of 100) each day it is late.
  • You should submit a printed version of your homework. Email submissions should be reserved for cases in which you cannot be on campus.
  • 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.

Cheating:
Claiming another's work as your own is cheating. When you submit work to the professor to be graded, there is an implied assumption that the work is yours. Assignments can be discussed between students but copying is prohibited. (Minimal changes do not make the practice acceptable.) A student caught cheating will receive a score of zero. Cheating may also result in a reduction of the final grade. Finally, openly allowing your work to be copied is also cheating. Do not give your work to another person or leave your work where it can easily be copied.