COMPUTER SYSTEMS ORGANIZATION
CSCI 463 Section 01
TTh 12:30-1:45 PM

Spring 2019 Sylabus

Course Description

Organization and Architecture of Computer Systems. Basic concepts and examples from microcomputers and networks, peripheral components, data communications, and the organization of operating systems in relation to hardware.

Prerequisite:

CSCI 360 or Consent of the Department.

Required Materials

1) Online Course notes by the Department of Computer Science
faculty.cs.niu.edu/~berezin

Recommended Materials

1) Access to various Online sites such as Wikipedia and arstechnica.com

Final (Semester) Grade

The following is the policy that will determine your semester grade.

Components:	Count	Grade weight
Tests	4	Weighted 100% Total

Scales:

A 90% - 100%

B 80% - 89%

C 70% - 79%

D 60% - 69%

You must score on boundary or above to get grade. There is no rounding and no +/- scores.

Note that testing establishes the total score.

Tests are evenly weighted, 25% each. Total points will vary from test to test depending on the structure of the questions. Note that points and extra credit does not transfer between tests.

Tests are held on day announced. Unless you miss a test because of health reasons, there is no make-up.

There will be a series of work sheets posted. These can be used to review the material and will be the basis for a fair portion of the tests.

Solutions may be posted shortly after the topic is covered so you can check your own work/understanding.

Both your TA and I will be available for help during office hours and by appointment.

This course relies on extensive reading of online material. You will find it more productive to read material daily (20-30 minute?) rather than trying to cram several hours before a test. Blackboard may be used to post review questions and even for some tests to facilitate quicker gradiing.

However, do not look to Blackboard to track your overall score. Cummulative scoring will be maintained on a separate spreadsheet and you will receive periodic posting after each test.

Attendance

You and you alone will be responsible for lectures, announcements, and handouts made in the class. If you were absent, you should NOT expect your instructor or your TA to repeat whatever you missed. No messages (e.g., phone or e-mail) will either substitute your attendance of the class or excuse you for any makeup test or late submission of any assignment.

Getting Assistance

To get assistance from your instructor or TAs, your MUST bring the following materials with you:

• 1) Your notes of class lectures
• 2) The work sheet, and/or a printed copy of your current source program if a programming is involved.

The DRC has requested a week lead time for preparation. Those working through the DRC must bring paper work for alternative testing to me at least 1 week before the test.

We are scheduled to have 3 tests and a final. Besides the general disability form, please fill out and bring in 4 forms for scheduling tests. If I have them on hand ahead of time, I can complete and submit them when needed.

If you need an accommodation for this class, please contact the Disability Resource Center as soon as possible. The DRC coordinates accommodations for students with disabilities. It is located on the 4th floor of the Health Services Building, and can be reached at 815-753-1303 or drc@niu.edu.

Also, please contact me privately as soon as possible so we can discuss your accommodations. Please note that you will not be required to disclose your disability, only your accommodations. The sooner you let me know your needs, the sooner I can assist you in achieving your learning goals in this course.

Audio and/or video recording of class is forbidden.

Cheating

Everything that you do in this course must reflect your own work. If you copy all or part of another student's work, it will be considered an act of cheating.

Disciplinary action for cheating may range from receiving a zero for the assignment/test up to receiving an F for the course. Cheating is reported to the University and the University may take additional disciplinary action.

You may work on worksheets in groups. Just make sure you understand the concepts so you are ready for the tests.

Worksheets are used to emphasize concepts and test your understanding. If you don't get it, you will fail the test and the course.

Finals

Students with 3 finals on the same day must notify me a week in advanced. Remember that it is the highest level class that makes the final adjustment.

Students who wish to discuss/challenge a particular grading must do so within 2 weeks of my returning a test. Failure to pick up the test or check your email does not extend this clock.