CE161-4-AT-CA:
Fundamentals of Digital Systems
2024/25
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Colchester Campus & Apprenticeship Location
Autumn Special
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
15
22 March 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
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BENGH610DA Electronic 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.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Have a good conceptual and practical understanding of the nature and architecture of a digital computer system.
- Understand the nature and architecture of a digital computer.
- Identify and explain the purpose and principles of operation of the components of a computer system.
- Explain the principles and purpose of an operating system.
- Interpret and manipulate binary representations of data, including two's complement.
- 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
This module will be delivered via:
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 |
|
100% |
| Exam |
Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during January
|
| Exam |
Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period)
|
Additional coursework information
The progress test will be in-lab based MCQ on Moodle, holding 20% of
the total module marks.
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
Prof Leila Musavian, email: leila.musavian@essex.ac.uk.
Prof Leila Musavian
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
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 66 hours, 56 (84.8%) hours available to students:
10 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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