775: Computer Architecture
Autumn 2008

Instructor: Prof. Dhabaleswar K. Panda

Office: DL 785, Tel: 2-5199
E-mail:panda@cse.ohio-state.edu
Office Hours: MW 11:30am-12:20pm

Grader: Yuan Hong

Office: DL 786
E-mail: hongy@cse.ohio-state.edu
Office Hours: TR 4:00-5:00pm or by appointment

Class Hours:

MW 12:30-1:48pm (DL 357)

Prerequisite:

CSE 675 and CSE 660

Course Objectives:

Textbook:

Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach by John Hennessy and David Patterson, Morgan Kauffman, 2007 (Fourth edition).

Tentative Class Schedule

Grading Plan:

There are four components: 
  
Homeworks (4x5)                              (20%)
Simulation Labs (6+8+6)                      (20%)
Midterm exam                                 (25%)
Final exam                                   (35%)

Homeworks:

There will be four problem sets. Due dates (tentatives) are mentioned in the class schedule. Homeworks need to be turned in at the begining of the class when they are due. The problem sets will be distributed before one week of the due date. Late homeworks are not encouraged. An exception to this rule requires that you have a strong and convincing reason. If you have such a reason, you will have to let me know about it in advance. Homework solutions will be distributed within one-two weeks after the due date. Absolutely, no homeworks will be accepted after the solutions are distributed.

Labs using Simulators:

There will be three labs involving simulation experiments. The labs will involve using SimpleScalar simulators to evaluate instruction statistics, pipelining techniques and branch mechanisms, and memory behavior on contemporary benchmark suites (SPEC). The labs will be distributed around 10 days in advance. All simulators run on the CSE SUN Solaris systems. The labs need to be done individually unless otherwise noted. Each student has been assigned an account in the CSE system to carry out these simulation. If you do not have an account please let me know about it.

I strongly suggest getting familiarized with these simulator environments as early as possible (hence the attached simulator description). The simulator and benchmarks are located at (/usr/class/cse775/newsim). Detailed guidelines to carry out these labs will be provided with the homeworks and lab handouts.

Examinations:

There will be two examinations. A midterm will be held on the 12th class and a final at the end of the quarter, as indicated below. Examinations are closed book, closed notes, and closed neighbors. 
  
MIDTERM                     Wednesday, Oct 29th, 12:30pm - 1:45pm (in class) 
FINAL                       Monday, Dec 8th,  11:30am - 1:30pm (in class)

Electronic Distribution of Class Materials:

During the first week of the class, I will collect e-mail addresses of all students to create an electronic mailing list. Make sure that you give me your e-mail address (campus or work) on the system you frequently log on. If you do not receive any e-mail from me by the second week of the class, please check with me to ensure that your name is in the mailing list. I will use this mailing list throughout the quarter to make important announcements and clarifications about homework problems, if needed.

Class Slides

Homeworks and Labs:

PDF copies of homeworks and labs will be available here as the quarter progresses. An e-mail announcement will be made when each homework is placed on the Web.