CS 221 : Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming

Syllabus

Instructor

Class web site

Prerequisites

Gettysburg Curricular Goals

Text

• Kann, Charles. Introduction to MIPS Assembly Programming. The Cupola. Gettysburg College. 2015.
• Kann, Charles. Digital Circuit Projects: An Overview of Digital Circuits Through Implementing Integrated Circuits. Second Edition. The Cupola. Gettysburg College. 2014.

Topics

Learning Objectives

• Convert unsigned numbers between different bases.
• Convert between decimal values and 2's complement binary.
• Describe ASCII, Unicode and utf8 representations of characters.
• Convert between decimal and IEEE 754 floating point values.
• Express a Boolean function as a truth table.
• Convert a truth table to a Boolean function.
• Create a simple circuit from the Boolean function.
• Simplify a Boolean function using a Karnaugh map.
• Convert gates to NAND and NOR.
• Create a decoder using gates.
• Create a multiplexor using gates.
• Create adders using gates.
• Implement Boolean functions with decodes and multiplexors.
• Implement latches and flip-flops.
• Create a register from latches.
• Create a shifter from latches.
• Implement a finite state mahine from latches and gates.
• Describe a datapath of the CPU.
• Describe addressing modes.
• Decode instructions.
• Describe the fetch-decode-execute cycle.
• Implement basic control structures in assembly language.
• Implement basic operations in assembly language.
• Implement arithmetic and logical operations in assembly language.
• Implement subroutines in assemble language.
• Describe the layout of the method call stack.
• Write programs in C++ using common control structures.
• Use C++ streams for file and console input.
• Create classes and object in C++.
• Build multi-file programs in C++.
• Dynamically allocate and deallocate memory in C++.

Course Credit

The federal government defines a credit hour as the equivalent amount of work as 50 minutes in class and two hours out of class for one semester.

Therefore, this course should be the equivalent work of three hours and twenty minutes in class and 8 hours outside of class. Since the course meets two and a half hours per week, the schedule contains a "fourth hour" item each week which is some program, project, or activity outside of the normal homework assignment that you must complete.

Attendance Policy

Grading Policy

Assignments

Assignments consist of homework, classwork, programs, quizzes, worksheets, presentations and the like. Homework will be due at the beginning of class. Late work will be graded with a 20% deduction. Homework turned one week after the deadline will receive no credit. Homework will be graded by the second class meeting or one week after they are submitted, whichever is later. Otherwise, all students who have turned the assignment in on time will receive a 10% bonus.

Unless otherwise specified, all assignments are weighted equally. Some assignments may count double. Such changes will be noted on the assignment specifications.

Colloquia

Each student is required to attend at least two Computer Science colloquia during the semester. Colloquia are generally held Thursdays from 11:30 to 12:30 during and include lunch.

Tests

There will be 2 tests during the semester, their dates are given below. Make-up tests will only be given under special circumstances.

The date and time of the final exam are set by the Registrar.

Grade Distribution

Grade Ranges

Generative AI Tools

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT can be powerful aids to completing a variety of work. You will undoubtedly use them in your careers. They will likely become the de-facto standard for building computer applications in the future. To start with, you need to understand the fundamental concepts in programming logic so that you will be able to read and understand the programs produced by these tools.

In this course, we may employ these tools from time to time, both in class and work you do alone. However, you may not use them for any submitted work unless there are specific instructions to do so. Using these tools on assignments without permission is a violation of the Honor Code.

Honor Code and Honor Code Violations

For this course the following are guidelines for following the Honor Code.

• Do not represent anyone else's work as your own.
• Do not search the Internet (or any other source) for solutions to the assignments unless told to do so.
• When an assignment requires that you search for an answer, provide references to your sources.
• Do not use generative AI programs, such as ChatGPT or Copilot, unless instructed to do so on an assignment.
• Do not share your programs with other students, unless you are working on a group project.
• You may discuss a problem with other students, but you should do the programming on your own.
• You may ask a fellow student for help if you get stuck, but they may not provide a solution.

Tentative Schedule