CIS Department > Colleen Carr > CS 230

CS 230

Computer Architecture and Assembly Language

General Information

The intent of this course is to introduce the participant to low level programming concepts. These concepts are primarily learned by studying the architecture and assembler language of the IBM PC. The student starts the course by studying how information is stored at a low level. After that, the architecture of the IBM PC is presented as well as its assembler language. Once proficiency is gained in programming in assembler language on the IBM PC, low level operating system routines for the IBM PC are also analyzed. Here, the student learns how to interface with such routines, modify them, and even write their own. This course also presents the basic principles behind language translators and program linkage so that a clearer picture of the connection between high-level code and low-level code is obtained. Finally, this course covers the basics of digital logic to give the student a better understanding of how hardware systems and computer architectures are created.

Why Take This Course

This course gives the student a general understanding of low level programming and bit stream operations. Although this course concentrates on a specific low level language (8088 Assembler), the skills acquired from this experience enables a student to easily pick up other assembler and low level languages. The ability to manipulate and process bit streams (done throughout this course) is also a valuable skill that can have relevance in areas other than low-level programming (for example: network communications). Since assembler language is a tedious language to program in, and is not an excessively readable language, the student gains valuable skills in procedural top down design and code documentation. Finally, by more fully understanding the connection between the high level language world and the low level language world, the student becomes a better high level language debugger (having gained a deeper understanding of cryptic system messages that can appear at runtime).

Grading

Final		32%
Quizzes		33%
Programming Assignments		25%
Pencil and Paper Assignment Involving Binary Numbers		5%

At the end of the semester, an extra 5% is added to either the Final grade are the Quizzes grade, depending on which one is higher. The grading scale is the typical 93-100=A, 90-92=A-, 87-89=B+, 83-86=B ..etc.. Attendance also affects the course grade (as explained under course policies). If a student does not receive a passing grade for the quizzes (lab + lecture) part of their grade, then the student will not pass the course even if there overall average is a pass

A short answer format is used for lecture quizzes. In answering questions, students are expected to write down their thoughts in clear, precise, and unambiguous English.

A hands on format is used for lab quizzes. In order to assess a student's critical thinking skills, a question or two on each lab quiz will cover topics not talked about in class.

Course Policies

All exams and quizzes are closed book in nature.

Taping of lectures is permitted.

Attendance is expected. Material will be presented in class that is not found in the text. Quizzes and tests will be drawn from the material and discussions in class. In addition, for every absence beyond the sixth, a student will loose one-fourth of a letter grade. Note that the six allowed absences (approximatly two weeks of class) are to allow for the possibility of sickness and other special circumstances. In addition, if a student has more than six unexcused absences, the CISD chairperson is notified. If a student has more than nine unexcused absences, the academic dean is be notified. This, in turn, may result in a parent conference.

Except in cases of emergency, the student should make arrangements with the instructor in advance if an exam/quiz must be missed. If there is sufficient reason the instructor will schedule an exam/quiz for the student at another time.

Cheating will not be tolerated in this course. If cheating is discovered, I (the instructor) will make sure that the student, if guilty, receive the most severe reprimand possible from the academic dean. Cheating not only undermines the whole learning process, but it decreases the morale of the other students in the class who spend many long hours producing their own work.

Use of the Internet or any entertainment software is prohibited during class. However, if they like, a student may use a word processor to type their notes during lecture.

If a student has a learning disability, physical disability, or any other exceptional circumstance that would require special considerations (example: more time to take an exam), these considerations must be discussed with the instructor before the first quiz/exam is given. Below is the official disability statement for the college:

Students with disabilities who require academic accommodations and support services should please consult Mrs. Sandy Quinlivan, Associate Director of Academic Affairs. You may contact her by telephone at extension 2371 or by SVC email (sandy.quinlivan@email.stvincent.edu) or by scheduling an appointment in Academic Affairs (located directly above the post office). Reasonable accommodations do not alter the essential elements of courses, programs or activities.

Students are be given a one-week grace period to turn in late assignments. If an assignment is more than one week late, however, the assignment grade is decreased by one letter grade for every week that it is late.

If stormy weather or some other emergency occurs, class cancellation can be verified by calling my office phone at 724-805-2421. My voice mail greeting will indicate if class has been cancelled or not. If my voice mail greeting has not been changed to indicate that the class has been cancelled, then it will be held.