Universidad de Jaén

Module 1: Introduction.

• Introduction to computer architecture
• Information Representation

Module 2: Computer Architecture: Levels and components

• Microprocessors
• Memory
• Buses
• Input/Output and periphericals

Module 3: System interconnection

• Introduction to computer networks

Module 4: Operating Systems Fundamentals

• Software/Hardware communication
• Virtual Memory Working

Practical aspects:

1. Conventional Machine Level (Assembler Language).
2. Instalation y configuration of computers
3. Performance Evaluation (Benchmarking)

During theoretical lessons, the topics included in this subject will be described, as well as solving several problems and exercices related with computer architecture.

In the laboratories, several practice scripts will be carried out, with an ascendet difficulty. In those, some simple 8085 assembly language programs will be implemented, and the student will proceed with the set up of a computer system, and its benchmarking.

Students with special educational needs should contact the Student Attention Service (Servicio de Atención y Ayudas al Estudiante) in order to receive the appropriate academic support

The student must reach a minimum mark of 5 points in order to pass the subject, assuming that the theorical and practical evaluation are passed separately, acording with the corresponding weight for each part.

Global evaluation of the subject is composed of three parts, the first one also divided into two sections:

1)    Theorical evaluation:

a)    Test exam: it is made up of several True/False questions about the topics studied in class. The maximum mark of this part is 2 points. This mark will be only kept  during the same academic course.

b)    Problems: several simple problem will be proposed, which will be related with the topics expalined in class. However, most of them can be solved with common sense. The scoring of this exercise will be of 8 points over 10. This mark will be only kept  during the same academic course.

  2)    Practical evaluation:

a) Several practical activities will be carried out, which will be given in specific dates, and will be defended in the next practical session.

b) These activities can be carried out both individually or in couples.

c) Each practical exercise carried out will have a mark between 0 and 10.

d)  The final mark of this part will be weighted according to the progressive difficulty of the practical exercises. The weight for each exercise will be indicated at the first session of each activity.

e) It is mandatory to give all the practical exercises (one per session) for passing this part of the subject, both in the official examination or in any of the extra ones. In the latter case, the whole practices will be defended in a session defined by the professor.

  3)   Complementary points:

a)  Students may obtain additional points by means of their participation during the magistral classes, for example giving seminars, solving problems in the blackboard or just by showing interest during the magistral classes.

b)   Additionally, throughout the course several activities and exercices will be suggested, so that students can submit them in those dates pointed out by the professor.

IMPORTANT: All noted score during the course will be applied to the final mark. This mains that the examination will be carried out once any activity is done, for example giving in practices, participation during the magistral classes, partial tests, and so on.