Computer Organization and Architecture

Student Portfolio

Computer Organization and Architecture

Course code: 24ECSC201

Course Instructor: Ms. Namrata Hiremath, Ms. Uma devi F M, Ms. Aruna S Nayak, Ms. Suma S. Barge 

Credits: 4

Course Introduction

The Computer Organization & Architecture course deals with the foundational principles that form the basis of modern computer systems. The course deals with important topics such as memory hierarchy, input/output mechanisms, interrupts, pipelining, and introductory concepts in parallel processing.

By understanding how hardware and software interact and work seamlessly, the course enables aspiring engineers to design computing systems that are efficient, scalable, and resilient. It fills the gap between hardware intricacies and software abstractions, allowing students to gain a holistic understanding of system functionality.

A highlight of the course is a practical, hands-on project where students design a basic processor using a simulation tool. This activity allows for a firsthand look at the instruction lifecycle and the intricate internal processes of processors, promoting a greater appreciation of their complexity.

This curriculum promotes students' holistic view of the computer as both a machine and an interconnected system; students learn to critically question the trade-offs in designing solutions, as well as the challenge involved in creating advanced computing systems ranging from low-level operations to high-level abstractions.

Course Outcomes (CO):

1. Acquire basic knowledge in computer fundamentals, performance analysis and interconnection principles in modern computing.

2. Build memory modules to perform I/O operations.

3. Apply Instruction Set Architecture principles to effectively design and implement data path in computer systems.

4. Explain the concept of parallelism with reference to computer performance.

5. Integrate and simulate all modules to develop a complete processor, followed by a comprehensive performance analysis.