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Software Project--Each student will be expected to develop an algorithm using a pseudo-assembler language with Boolean structures. This activity will involve developing a model of the problem, developing the code, and then testing the code through presentation and discussion with the class.
Hardware Project--Request for Proposal (RFP) for hardware, ie, computers, peripherals, or networking components, for a unique user situation of the student's choosing. This must involve at least two different activities from a list of activities that will be passed out along with the formal assignment memorandum. Once the RFP has been reviewed by the instructor and the proposal presented to and critiqued by the class, then the student will be required to formalize the proposal with a rating and evaluation requirement and a definition of five possible vendors (the web may be used for this).
Subject Search---The student will select one topic from a list that will be researched. Each topic will be some up-to-date hardware or software component used or planned to be used in today's computers. Each topic will have advantages and disadvantages. The student will give a 5-minute class presentation to the class. All class members will have read enough about the subject to discuss the pros and cons. A 2- to 3-page summary of the subject will be turned in along with a page of resources used. (Use the ADA format for this bibliography.) Also, students will provide each class member a one-page handout.
Quizzes--There will be four quizzes covering the key points presented at the end of the chapters covered in the immediately preceding classes (since the last quiz). These quizzes will likely be of the fill-in-the-blanks/short answer/matching variety.
Class Participation-Students will be graded on the quality of their classroom participation. Graduate students are expected to be able to discuss the concepts in the book and demonstrate their application of the materials through discussion of real-world problems.
Midterm/Final--The midterm and final will consist of short answer essay questions related to the goals listed at the beginning of each chapter and a comprehensive exam question similar to that actually given on the comprehensive exams. This portion of the tests (worth 100 points) will be graded exactly like the comprehensives; that is: 75% for content, 25% for English and organization. |
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COURSE POLICIES/EXPECTATIONS |
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The following policies apply to this class. These policies are generally reflected in the graduate catalog.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Regular class attendance is expected. If you should miss a meeting, it is your responsibility to obtain information concerning the material covered and upcoming assignments. If there is a quiz or other assignment due on that class period, previous arrangements should be made with the instructor whenever possible. Please note that those students receiving tuition assistance from the Federal Government must not miss three consecutive class meetings without prior approval, or the education Services Officer (ESO) must be notified by the instructor.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: Students are expected to do their own work. Cheating on tests, plagiarism on written assignments, or any other form of academic dishonesty will result in a "0" for the assignment. Note that a D or an F usually results in at least 60 or 50 points, where violation of academic honesty results in none. See the European Division Catalog for the UMUC policy on academic dishonesty and plagiarism.
ASSIGNMENT/TEST SCHEDULES: Students are expected to hand in all assignments and complete all tests on the days they are due. If a student fails to complete any assignment or test, the resulting grade will be a "0," rather than an "F." Any other assignments will be marked down half a letter grade for each half week the assignment is late. Quizzes cannot be made-up unless the student had an excused absence. Major tests can be made up only if prior arrangements are made with the instructor.
CLASS PREPARATION: Students are expected to come to class prepared. This means they should have read the materials assigned for class for that session and have prepared any pertinent assignments. Quizzes may be given on the reading assignments before they are discussed in class.
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COURSE OBJECTIVES |
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The objectives for this course are listed as "Chapter Goals" at the beginning of every chapter. The questions on the midterm and final will be directly related to these goals, even though the topic may not be covered in class. At the end of the class the students should be able to:
- Define/describe the basic terms and processes related to computer systems architecture
- Describe the various types of operating systems and be able to distinguish among them so as to apply the appropriate one to a given situation
- Explain how the various major components of computer operating systems perform their tasks and relate to the hardware used to perform said tasks so as to be able to use the appropriate component or diagnose problems in a given situation
- Describe the various types of computer languages (machine, assembly, and high-level) used to perform tasks and demonstrate the use of one or more of these computer languages
- Illustrate the concepts related to data base and data storage management (both hardware and software) and apply such knowledge in a computer program
- Illustrate the concepts related to data communications (both hardware and software) and apply such knowledge in a computer program
- Describe the process for developing applications and be able to apply the process to a real-world situation
- Describe the technological trends in computer development and discuss ethical issues surrounding the use of computer technology in the global community
- Be prepared, at an introductory level, for the more advanced Management Information Systems courses that follow
The activities and assignments for this course are designed to help the student know, comprehend, and apply the basic concepts of systems architecture. In addition to the academic objectives, students are expected to improve their skills in the following areas:
1. Critical Thinking: Students should improve their ability to analyze computer user situations and make appropriate suggestions for resolving computer software and hardware needs. The projects in this class encourage students to think critically about real-world situations.
2. Writing Skills: Students should improve writing skills through development of the Request for Proposal (RFP) and formal report on the major project and on the mid-term and final.
3. Oral Presentation Skills: Students should improve their presentation skills through their oral reports on the major project, class discussions, and group presentations.
4. Computer Skills: Students are expected to improve their computer skills by using word processing and understanding programming constructs for the completion of the assignments in this class. The use of the Internet and e-mail are also encouraged.
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TENTATIVE SCHEDULE |
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Topics Discussed |
Activities |
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Class 1
Aug 21 |
Introductions; Architecture overview; Careers and Resources; Systems Administration; Developing an RFP; Computer and Physical Security; Technological Trends; Ethical Issues |
Lecture(s); board analysis of existing level of knowledge; Group development of RFP and presentation to class; Discussion on ethics; Assignment: Read Chapters 1 & 15; 10 Commandments of Computer Ethics |
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Class 2
Aug 23 |
History of Computer Hardware; Performance Measures and Design Functions; History of Software; Programming Languages; Systems Software; Systems Development |
Lecture(s)/discussions; Video; Hardware and software discussion and demonstrations; Discussion/ vocabulary review; Select Software Project; Assignment: Read Chapters 2 & 3 |
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Class 3
Aug 28 |
Data Representation: math, physics, signals, goals; representation of numbers, characters, and functions; memory addressing; data structures |
Lecture(s)/discussion; Chapter 4 exercises; Quiz 1 on Chapters 1, 15, 2 & 3; SelectHardwareAssignment; How Bytes and Bits Work; Assignment: Read Chapter 4 and Chapter 11, pages 426-439 |
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Class 4
Aug 30 |
Processors and Instruction Sets; Instruction Formats; Clock rates; of RFPs; CPU registers and word size; Processor Implementation; Future Trends |
Lecture(s)/discussions; Oral presentations; Chapter 5 exercises; Vocabulary Review exercise; Assignment: Read Chapter 5; How Compact Disks Work; Application Program Model due |
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Class 5
Sept 4 |
Data Storage Alternatives and Tradeoffs; Storage Devices; CPU Memory Access |
Lecture(s)/discussions; Chapter 6 exercises; Assignment: Read Chapter 6; How Controllers Work; Quiz 2 on Chapters 4, 5, and 1st part of 11 |
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Class 6
Sept 6 |
System Integration and Performance; System Bus; Logical/Physical I/O; Device Controllers; Performance Issues; Application development: Debugging; Programming languages and development tools |
Lecture(s); Group Exercise-Chapter 7, problems 1&2; Discussion/vocabulary review exercise; Assignment: Read Chapters 7 & 11-pages 439+; How Cell Phones Work; Application Program due |
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Class 7
Sept 11 |
Data and Network Communication: Encoding Methods; Transmission Media; Channel and Media Organization; Coordinating Communications |
Lecture(s)/discussions; Demonstration; Chapter 8 exercises; Assignment: Read Chapter 8 |
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Class 8
Sept 13 |
Summary of First Half; Current Trends in System Architecture |
Midterm on Chapters 1-6, 11, & 15; Assignment: How the Web Page Works |
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Class 9
Sept 18 |
Distributing Computer Resources; Network services; Network Architecture; Open Systems Integration Network Layers; Standard Network Architecture |
Lecture(s);Discussion/vocabulary review exercise; Group exercise on distributing systems; Sony's Stick Memory; Assignment: Read Chapter 9; Preliminary RFP presentation and discussion |
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Class 10
Sept 20 |
Input/Output Devices and Technology: Keyboards, Pointers, Printers, Displays, Scanners, Optical Devices, Audio devices |
Lecture(s); discussions; Assignment: Read Chapter 10; Hardware Models due |
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Class 11
Sept 25 |
Operating Systems: Overview; Resource Allocation; Process Management; CPU Allocation; Memory Management |
Lecture(s); discussions; Video on Switches; Presentations; Quiz 3 on Chapters 8-10; Assignment: Read Chapter 12 |
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Class 12
Sept 27 |
Mass Storage Access and Management: Overview; Storage Allocation; Directory Content and Structure; File Organization, Operation, Manipulation, Security, and Administration |
Lecture; discussions; Vocabulary review exercises; Assignment: Read Chapter 13; Dell computers, Gateway computers; IBM computers; Discount Computer Vendors; Topic Presentations Due |
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Class 13
Oct 2 |
Input/Output Service Functions; Command Layer; Network I/O |
Lecture; Quiz 4 on Chapters 10, 12, 13; Discussion of hardware evaluations and vendor selection; Assignment: Read Chapter 14 |
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Class 14
Oct 4 |
Solving User Problems; The Role of a Systems Developer |
Lecture; Discussion of chapter exercises; Hardware/vendor selection continued |
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Class 15
Oct 9 |
Review of the Course Content; Analyzing Systems Design and RFP Responses |
Q & As; Presentations of projects; Complete hardware project assignment due |
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Class 16
Oct 11 |
Summary of class concepts |
Final on Chapters 1-15 |
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