CSE 240A – Principles in Computer Architecture
Winter 2023
CSE 240A – Principles in Computer Architecture
Winter 2023
The course covers the basics of modern processor design and operation. Topics include instruction set architectures, computer system performance, machine organization, pipelining, branch prediction, advanced parallelism, memory-hierarchy design, and multiprocessor considerations (and possibly security considerations and/or introduction to low-power design as well).
The prerequisite material for this course is an undergraduate class that covered ISA design, pipelining, caches, etc.
Instructor — Pat Pannuto
CSE 3202
OH:
Mondays: 10:00 - 11:00, 3202 CSE
Or by appointment by email
TA — Adithya Anand
OH: Zoom link shared on canvas calendar
Mondays: 13:30 - 15:00
Wednesdays: 13:30 - 15:00
TA — Rahul Polisetti
OH: Zoom link shared on canvas calendar
Mondays: 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Wednesday: 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Most students call me Professor or Professor Pannuto or Dr. Pannuto. I also answer happily to “Prof[essor] P.”
I should call you by your preferred name, with the correct pronunciation and any honorific or pronouns you choose. Please correct me (in the chat if there is one, out loud in class or in Zoom, or via email/Piazza/etc after the fact – however you are most comfortable) if I ever make a mistake.
PCYNH 106 – Pepper Canyon Hall – location on map
Lecture: Tue & Thr, 15:30–16:50
Lecture will be recorded and podcasted. There will not be a synchronous streaming option. Podcasting is a best-effort service (i.e., if technical issues result in a missing or poor recording, then there will not be one). Attendance is strongly advised, but it is not assessed – this is a graduate course, you can manage your time as you see fit.
Applies to homework(s), reading assignment(s), exam(s), and project report(s):
20% off every 24h after the original deadline, five days or more earns no credit
If you have concerns/questions/doubts about project report or exam grading, please submit a regrade request on Gradescope within ONE WEEK after the corresponding grade release.
Course staff will not respond to requests after that time period.
If, at the end of the term, the CAPE response rate is >=90.0%, we will add 1% to everyone's final grade.
If, at the end of the term, the TA evaluation response rate is >=90.0%, we will add (an additional) 1% to everyone's final grade.
I expect we have the highest standards of integrity in a graduate class. However, we will check aggressively for cheating, including copying off of other people or from online resources, etc. If cheating is found, of any kind, severe consequences will result.
First, try to make sure you help yourself by staying up to date with course activities.
Office hours are the perfect place for one-on-one support and asking specific questions. Office hours are most useful after you have worked on the problem for a little while yourself (I usually say that you should struggle with a problem for fifteen full minutes, but not more than fifteen minutes before seeking help). You are not interrupting course staff (TAs or the professors) when you come to office hours. It is literally our job to be available to help you during those times. Office hours are also not restricted to content from class. Folks have asked about research / grad school in CS, how to get jobs in computer architecture, what other classes to take if they like (or hate!) this stuff, the best coffee shops for working accessible by light rail, tips for developing fruit-bearing trees in San Diego, or anything else that you would like to know about.
The IDEA Engineering Student Center, located just off the lobby of Jacobs Hall, is a hub for student engagement, academic enrichment, personal/professional development, leadership, community involvement, and a respectful learning environment for all. The Center offers a variety of programs, listed in the IDEA Center Facebook page and the IDEA Center web site. The IDEA Center programs support both undergraduate students and graduate students.
We are committed to fostering a learning environment for this course that supports a diversity of thoughts, perspectives and experiences, and respects your identities (including race, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sex, class, sexuality, religion, ability, age, educational background, etc.). Our goal is to create a diverse and inclusive learning environment where all students feel comfortable and can thrive.
Our instructional staff will make a concerted effort to be welcoming and inclusive to the wide diversity of students in this course. If there is a way we can make you feel more included please let one of the course staff know, either in person, via email/discussion board, or even in a note under the door. Our learning about diverse perspectives and identities is an ongoing process, and we welcome your perspectives and input.
We also expect that you, as a student in this course, will honor and respect your classmates, abiding by the UCSD Principles of Community. Please understand that others’ backgrounds, perspectives and experiences may be different than your own, and help us to build an environment where everyone is respected and feels comfortable. If you experience any sort of harassment or discrimination, please contact the instructor as soon as possible. If you prefer to speak with someone outside of the course, please contact the Office of Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination.
We aim to create an environment in which all students can succeed in this course. If you have a disability, please contact the Office for Students with Disability (OSD), which is located in University Center 202 behind Center Hall, to discuss appropriate accommodations right away. We will work to provide you with the accommodations you need, but you must first provide a current Authorization for Accommodation (AFA) letter issued by the OSD. You are required to present their AFA letters to Faculty (please make arrangements to contact me privately) and to the OSD Liaison in the department in advance so that accommodations may be arranged.
If you are experiencing any basic needs insecurities (food, housing, financial resources), there are resources available on campus to help, including The Hub and the Triton Food Pantry. Please visit thehub.ucsd.edu for more information.