Computer Architecture is a fascinating field that sits at the crossroads of computer science and engineering. It’s all about understanding how computer systems are designed and built. This includes everything from the basic structure of a computer to how data flows and is processed within it. Learning computer architecture is crucial because it helps you understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind the software you write and the hardware that runs it. It provides the foundation for making informed decisions about hardware and software optimization, leading to more efficient and powerful computing solutions. Whether you’re programming, building hardware, or creating new technologies, a solid grasp of computer architecture will empower you to make better, more informed decisions in your work.

Textbook: David A. Patterson and John L. Hennessy, Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware and Software Interface
Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, Fifth Edition, ISBN: 9780124077263 (MIPS Edition)

Instructor

Teaching Assistants

Peer Mentor

Course Schedule

Date	Topic	Lecture Slides	Notes	Required Reading

Grading Rubric

Assessment	Points
In Class Quizzes (Best four out of five)	28%
Homeworks	10%
Group Project (Team of two students)	50%
Final Exam (Close book)	12%

Project Schedule

Project	Starter Code	Due Date	Points
Homework-1	Verilog Setup	09/13/2024	2%
Homework-2	Arithmetic Circuit Design	09/19/2024	3%
Homework-3	Register File Design	09/26/2024	3%
Schematic	Schematic	10/03/2024	5%
Single Cycle Design	Single Cycle Design	10/10/2024	10%
Pipelined Design-1	Download	10/24/2024	10%
Pipelined Design-2	Download	11/07/2024	10%
Homework-4	Cache Setup	11/12/2024	2%
Cache	Download	11/26/2023	15%

Course Policy

1. CS552 Project is a team project, and a team must contain up to three members.
2. All deadlines are strictly enforced — no extensions will be given.
3. Late submissions will be penalized -0.5%/hour and may not be graded on time.
4. No make up quizes/exam will be supported.
5. Homework, Project, and Quizes are managed via Canvas.

Honor Code

As a student, you are joining our community of scholars and professionals. We hope that your choices will reflect the highest ethical conduct, consistent with the established policies of the community, in order to foster the very best learning environment.The following links are the primary sources that list student behavior expectations – https://conduct.students.wisc.edu/academic-misconduct/