CS121 Computer Organization
Spring 2010

Course Description:  
CS121 is a seminar course designed to explore the interface between hardware and software, appropriate for anyone interested in computer and computational sciences.  Students will explore a variety of topics, including those of particular interest to the students themselves. 
Topics include compilers and high- vs. low-level languages; digital logic, microprocessor designs and instruction set architectures; embedded systems, microcontrollers and assembly languages; machine arithmetic and its impact on computational accuracy.

Instructor:  Alison Pechenick, Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Science

Contact Info:  319 Votey Hall        (802) 656-2547        alison.pechenick@uvm.edu

Office Hours:  M 10-11:30 a.m.    T 1:30-2:45 p.m.    Th 2:00-3:30 p.m.                   
Hours also available by appointment:  See schedule at  www.cems.uvm.edu/~apecheni

TA:  Sasi Kunta <skunta@uvm.edu>
Office hours TBA

Logistics:
Course meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00-11:15 a.m. in Rowell 102.

Required Materials:  
There is no textbook for this course.  We will be using readily available, free materials from the web.  
Please refer to our Blackboard space (bb.uvm.edu) for ongoing details.

Responsibilities:
You must stay informed about all materials and deadlines for this course.  
Please check Blackboard daily for announcements, discussion postings, assignments, etc.

Academic Honesty:
It is imperative that you read, understand, and abide by all that is written in UVM's Code of Academic Integrity:  http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmppg/ppg/student/acadintegrity.pdf.  Failure to do so may result in receiving a specially flagged F in the course, tagged as such on your transcript.

Please be careful to work alone unless otherwise permitted by instructor, to always cite your references, and to respect the intellectual integrity of others.  If you have any questions about this, feel free to ask at any time.

Class Format:
Class meetings will be organized in a seminar, rather than lecture, format.  We will work together to define, assign and research topics of interest.  Every student or group will be responsible in turn for leading discussions and instructing the rest of us.  Expectations will be clearly articulated in advance, so students understand what is expected, and how they will be graded.

Grading:

Class participation and attendance: 10%
A seminar cannot succeed without the goodwill and focus of its members.  When you are absent, you miss things not easily reprised, and we miss you!  Please e-mail in advance if you are unable to attend, and do all those good things we know to stay healthy.

Regular group and individual presentations, discussion leads, knowledge shares, current events (technical breakthroughs, etc.):  50%
This category includes any practice problems assigned by student leader(s) and/or instructor in conjunction with the material.

Tests and quizzes:  20%
Tests scheduled in advance with material clearly delineated; quizzes announced or not.

Final project:  20%
Group or individual, student-defined, with approval of instructor.

Special Accommodations:

If you require any accommodation due to religious holiday observance or documented special circumstance, please let the instructor know during the first week of the semester.