Computer architecture

The course can be part of the following programmes:

1. Computer Science, bachelors programme (N1COS)
2. Computer Science, masters programme (N2COS)
3. Applied Data Science, masters programme (N2ADS)
4. Game Design & Technology, masters programme (N2GDT)
5. Software Engineering and Management, masters programme (N2SOF)

The course is a also a single-subject course at Gothenburg University.

Requirements to participate in the course are that two years have been successfully completed in computer science or equivalent. The course DIT122 (Computer System Engineering) or equivalent is a prerequisite.

Applicants must prove knowledge of English: English 6/English B or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.

The course covers architectural techniques necessary to achieve high performance for user programs. It also covers simulation-based analysis methods for quantitative assessment of the impact of a particular architectural technique on performance.

The content is divided into the following parts:

1. The first part covers aspects affecting the development of computer technology including Moore's Law, performance measures (execution time vs. throughput), benchmarking, and fundamentals of computer performance such as Amdahl's Law and memory access locality.
   
   
2. The second part covers various techniques for exploiting instruction level parallelism (ILP) by defining key concepts of what ILP is and what limits it. The techniques covered fall into two categories: dynamic and static techniques. The main dynamic techniques covered are Tomasulo's algorithm, branch prediction and speculation. The most important static techniques are loop unrolling, software pipelining, trace scheduling and predicated instructions.
   
   
3. The third part covers principles of modern memory hierarchies such as inclusive and non-inclusive memory hierarchies, lockup free caching techniques, prefetching, classification of cache misses.
   
   
4. The fourth part deals with multi-core microprocessors and techniques such as multi-threading and cache coherence.

After completion of the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Understanding of advanced instruction pipelining techniques to be able to execute computer instructions in parallel.
• Understanding of principles behind modern memory hierarchies
• Understanding of principles behind multi-core processors

Skills and abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of terminology and key concepts in computer architecture necessary to understand advances in research in the subject.

Judgement ability and approach

• Ability to quantitatively determine the impact of architectural techniques on the performance and power consumption of executing user programs by using modern simulation tools.

The course is divided into lectures, exercises, three labs and an optional reading assignment that gives bonus points for the exam.

The course uses the pedagogy form of Flipped-classroom teaching. It is assumed that students prepare for each lecture by studying the recorded material. A quizz is given at each lecture. Three correct quizzes give bonus points to be used for a higher grade on a passed exam.

Language of instruction: English

The student is assessed based on submitted laboratory reports (1.5 hecs) individually or in groups and a written exam (6.0 hecs) individually in the exam room

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

Sub-courses

1. Written hall examination, 6 credits
   Grading scale: Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3) and Fail (U)
2. Laboratory, 1,5 credits
   Grading scale: Pass (G) and Fail (U)

The grading scale for the whole course comprises: Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3) and Fail (U).

For grade 3, at least 40% of the total score on the exam is required. For grade 4, at least 60% of the total score on the exam is required and for grade 5, at least 80% of the total score on the exam is required. You can receive 4 bonus points if you answered correctly at least 3 quizzes given during lecture time. You can receive an additional 4 bonus points if you orally present the case study to the other course participants. These bonus points are added to the result on the exam and can be used for higher grades but not to pass the course. To be approved on the entire course, the labs (1.5 ECTS) and the exam (6 ECTS) must be approved. The grade of the entire course is the same as the grade of the exam.

The course is evaluated through meetings both during and after the course between teachers and student representatives. Further, an anonymous questionnaire is used to ensure written information. The outcome of the evaluations serves to improve the course by indication which parts could be added, improved, changed or removed.

The course is a joint course together with Chalmers.

The course replaces the course DIT051, 7.5 credits. The course cannot be included in a degree which contains DIT051. Neither can the course be included in a degree which is based on another degree in which the course DIT051 is included.