CE161-4-AP-NW:
Fundamentals of Digital Systems
2019/20
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Northwest University
Autumn & Spring
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 03 October 2019
Friday 20 March 2020
15
15 May 2019
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BSC H60E Electronic System Engineering
The module will introduce the essential hardware and low level software components of a digital computer system. They will understand the nature and architecture of a digital computer, identifying the operation of components within the system and explain the principles of an operating system. Students will study binary arithmetic with applications and design simple logic circuits from basic gates.
The aim of this module is to introduce the essential hardware and low level software components of a digital computer system. The operation of these components is explored problem solving classes.
Upon completion of this module, students should have a good conceptual and practical understanding of the nature and architecture of a digital computer system. Students will be expected to be able to:
1. understand the nature and architecture of a digital computer.
2. identify and explain the purpose and principles of operation of the components of a computer system.
3. explain the principles and purpose of an operating system.
4. interpret and manipulate binary representations of data, including two's complement.
5. design and understand simple logic circuits built from standard logic gates.
Outline Syllabus
Introduction to computer automatic theory.
Brief history of computer systems
System architecture
Peripherals and buses
Processor architecture
Computer system operation
Input/Output devices
Hardware components of a computer system
Introduction to operating systems
Lecturers and Laboratories
- Stallings, William; Zeno, Peter. (©2016) Computer organization and architecture: designing for performance.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course. The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students. Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Progress Test 1 |
|
50% |
| Coursework |
Progress Test 2 |
|
50% |
| Exam |
Main exam: 120 minutes during Autumn Special
|
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Junhua Li, email: junhua.li@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Ian Daly
School office, email: csee-schooloffice (non-Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create full e-mail address), Telephone 01206 872770
No
No
No
Dr Xu Wang
Heriot-Watt University
Associate Professor
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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