This course is an early undergraduate introduction to computer architecture. Its catalog description states:
Examines the architecture and organization of the computer including digital logic, the CPU, busses, internal and external memory, computer number representation and computer instructions. Particular attention is paid to assembly and C languages as a mechanism for better understanding the architecture.
It emphasizes the interface between computer hardware and low-level software. A particular focus is understanding how higher-level programming-language constructs are mapped to instructions and executed by hardware. Hardware design is addressed at a high level. It adopts an active learning approach that emphasizes exploration.
Prerequisites: COS 135; programming maturity.