ECE 5470 - Introduction to Computer Architecture

This course introduces basic hardware structures and communication between components of a modern computer. It covers the basic concepts of instruction sets, computer arithmetic, processor design, memory system design, and input/output. A major component of the course will be reinforcing the principles presented in the lectures in the laboratory through group laboratory assignments, in which each team of students will design and build a computer in real hardware and then run programs on it. One of the main goals of this class is to teach students how to think critically about different computer architecture topics.

Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisites: ECE 2510 or CS 2230 with a grade of “C” or better, or an equivalent undergraduate microprocessor’s and/or computer organization courses.

Credits: 3 hours

Restrictions: Restricted to graduate students in electrical or computing engineering.