Unit name | Advanced Computer Architecture (Teaching Unit) |
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Unit code | COMS30046 |
Credit points | 0 |
Level of study | H/6 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Professor. McIntosh-Smith |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
COMS10016 Imperative and Functional Programming and COMS10017 Object-Oriented Programming and Algorithms I or equivalent. COMS10015 Computer Architecture or equivalent. COMS20008 Computer Systems A and COMS20012 Computer Systems B or equivalent. COMS20010 Algorithms II or equivalent. Strong programming skills. Good knowledge of computer architecture. |
Co-requisites |
EITHER Undergraduate students in Year 3 must choose Assessment Unit COMS30047 OR M-level students must choose the M-Level Assessment Unit COMSM0053. Please note, COMS30046 is the Teaching Unit for Advanced Computer Architecture. Students can take this unit in either their third or fourth year, and must also choose the Assessment Unit for their year group. |
School/department | School of Computer Science |
Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
This unit aims to introduce a range of advanced topics in computer architecture, focusing mainly on high performance processors but including recent or hot topics (e.g., low-power design, wide vector units etc.). A student completing the unit should gain an understanding of how most modern processors work. They will also gain an appreciation of how various design decisions can improve quality (according to a metric such as performance, area or power consumption) which extends the output of previous units that focus mainly on functionality. Due to the unit remit, the syllabus is somewhat flexible, and could include:
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including lectures and self-directed exercises.
50% coursework, 50% summer timed assesment.
Essential reading: