CMSC411 (Summer 2021) Computer Systems Architecture

Introduction

In this course, we will study topics in computer systems architecture. We will first discuss the contents in Appendix A through C of the text (pipelining, instruction set principles, and memory hierarchy). Then, we will switch to other topics such as super-scalar execution, branch prediction, dynamic scheduling, hardware multi-threading, shared memory architecture, and GPU.

The Canvas and Piazza course pages are your best sources for the course information

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in CMSC330
Credits: 3

Visit this link for details.

Administrative Information

• Instructor: Dr. Ilchul Yoon
  
• TAs: Richard Johnson, Samar Sarda
  TA email addresses are posted in Canvas and/or in Piazza.
• Semester Period: July 12 (Monday) through August 20 (Friday)
• Lectures (MTuWThF 11:00am - 12:20pm):
  • Lectures will be synchronous. Recordings relevant to the topics discussed in lectures will be uploaded to Panopto in Canvas.
  • We will use GradeScope for exams and quizzes. (timed and synchronous)

• Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach, Hennessy and Patterson, 5th Edition (CAQA, H+P)
  Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann
  ISBN-13: 978-0123838728
  ISBN-10: 012383872X

Course Topics (Subject to Change)

• Introduction to computer architecture
• Instruction set architecture
• Pipelining
• Memory hierarchy
• Instruction-level parallelism (Loop unrolling, Branch prediction, Tomasulo)
• Thread-level parallelism
• Data-level parallelism
• Shared-memory architecture

Course Communication and Office Hours

• We will be using Piazza for class communication (Guideline) and Quuly to hold virtual office hours. Check Canvas for the entry code.

• Office Hour Schedule
  

Grading

Your grades will be computed according the following weights:

• Exams and quizzes are cumulative.
• Exams and Homeworks will be graded using GradeScope. We will synchronize the university roster with the course created in GradeScope. You should log in using your directory ID and password (Choose "School Credentials" in the login page). Before your grades are imported to the grade server, you will be able to check your grades and make regrade requests in GradeScope.
• Once we have graded any exams or assignments we will post an announcement and a deadline by which you must submit any regrade requests. It is your responsibility to submit regrade requests by the specified deadline; NO regrade requests will be processed afterwards. If the regrade request deadline is not announced, it is by default 3 days after the grades are posted.
• Score distribution will be reviewed at the end of the semester and the cutoffs will be set appropriately. Note that the cutoff for A and B can still be set at 90+% and 80+%, respectively.
• For the homework assignments and the project, the penalty is 15 percent if you submit within 24 hours from the due.
• No late submission will be accepted after 24 hours.

Academic Integrity

Note that academic dishonesty includes not only cheating, fabrication, and plagiarism, but also includes helping other students commit acts of academic dishonesty by allowing them to obtain copies of your work. In short, all submitted work must be your own. Cases of academic dishonesty will be pursued to the fullest extent possible as stipulated by the Office of Student Conduct.

It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. If the student is found to be responsible of academic dishonesty, the typical sanction results in a special grade "XF", indicating that the course was failed due to academic dishonesty. If you have any doubt as to whether an act of yours might constitute academic dishonesty, please contact your TA or the course coordinator.

The CS Department takes academic integrity seriously. Information on how the CS Department views and handle academic integrity matters can be found at Academic Integrity.

Disabilities Support Accommodations

In case academic accommodations are needed, you must provide a letter of accommodation from the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services (ADS) within the first week of the semester. For details, see the section titled "Accessibility" available at Course Related Policies.

Excused Absences

The university allows for self-documentation for some absences. If you need to miss a test (quiz or exam) due to illness (or other reasons), you shall make a reasonable attempt to report at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled test day.

• Send me an email if you have a medical problem.
• All other planned, execusable absences (e.g., attending a conference supported by the department)must be reported using the absence report feature in the grade server).

In case you need to miss a quiz, you can submit a self-signed note attesting to the date of your illness (or other reasons). Each note must contain an acknowledgment by the student that the information provided is true and correct. Providing false information to University officials is prohibited under Part 9(i) of the Code of Student Conduct (V-1.00(B) University of Maryland Code of Student Conduct) and may result in disciplinary action.

Missing an exam for reasons such as illness, religious observance, participation in required university activities, or family or personal emergency (such as a serious automobile accident or close relative's funeral) will be excused so long as the absence is requested in writing in advance and the student includes documentation that shows the absence qualifies as excused; a self-signed note is not sufficient as exams are Major Scheduled Grading Events. For this class, such events are the midterm and the final exam. In the case of medical absence, you must furnish documentation from the health care professional who treated you. The documentation must clearly include verification of (1) treatment dates and (2) the time period for which the student was unable to meet academic responsibilities. In addition, it must contain the name and phone number of the medical service provider to be used if verification is needed. No diagnostic information will ever be requested. Note that simply being seen by a health care professional does not constitute an excused absence; it must be clear that you were unable to perform your academic duties.

For additional details, see the section titled "Attendance, Absences, or Missed Assignments" available at Course Related Policies

Course Evaluations

The department and faculty take student feedback seriously. At the end of the course visit https://www.courseevalum.umd.edu/ to complete your course evaluations. The evaluation period is between August 15 and August 19.

Miscellaneous

• If you are experiencing difficulties in keeping up with the academic demands of this course, you may Learning Assistance Service.
• UMD Course related policies can be found at http://www.ugst.umd.edu/courserelatedpolicies.html

Copyright

All course materials are copyright UMCP, Department of Computer Science © 2021. All rights reserved. Students are permitted to use course materials for their own personal use only. Course materials may not be distributed publicly or provided to others (excepting other students in the course), in any way or format.

Although every effort has been made to be complete and accurate, unforeseen circumstances arising during the semester could require the adjustment of any material given here. Consequently, given due notice to students, the instructor reserves the right to change any information on this syllabus or in other course materials.

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