CIS 501 (FALL 2006): Introduction To Computer Architecture

Instructor: Amir Roth (amir@cis)
Office hours: 603 Levine, TR 1:30-3 (or by appointment)

TA: Joe Devietti (devietti@seas)
Office hours: 310 Levine, M 10-11:30, F 3-4:30

Newsgroup: upenn.cis.cis501
Lecture: Hielmeier Hall, TR 12-1:30 (CLASS SCHEDULE)

Announcements

Course Description

This year's 501 will be a little different than last year's version. This year's course will feature heavier emphasis on power and reliability aspects, as well as multiprocessors and multithreading. We will cover the following topics: I will present "research" topics as we go along and as time permits.
 

Reading Materials and Resources

We will use one textbook, although we will use it primarily as a reference (most of the core material will be in the lecture notes): Although the course is introductory in name, it actually assumes that you have a background in basic computer architecture and microprocessor design. Those of you who feel that you are lacking in certain areas may want to acquire a copy of the following book: I will supply you with any additional reading material. Also, class notes will be available on-line. Check the ever-changing CLASS SCHEDULE  for notes. Hard copy versions will be available at the beginning of each class, extra copies will be placed in bins outside of Levine 502.
 

Simulation Tools

For your homeworks and projects, you will be using the SimpleScalar microarchitecture simulator. You can run your simulations on your workstations or "on the grid" using Condor.
 

Homework

There will be 4 homework assignments, each consisting of problems to be worked out by hand and some short simulation work using SimpleScalar.  Homework is due at the beginning of the class period for which it is assigned.  As for late homework, you have four "grace" days (not class periods) to use to hand in late homeworks. You don't have to use them at all. You can use one per homework. You can use all four on the first homework. Once you have exceeded these four days, late work will not be accepted unless you make prior arrangement with me. You may ask myself, the TA, or each other for general assistance, but please do all for-credit work on your own. Check the CLASS SCHEDULE for homeworks.
 

Course Project

An important part of the course-from both an educational and a grading standpoint-will be a six-week mini research project. You will do the project in groups of 3 or 4. The project deliverables consist of a proposal, and a 2500 word conference-format final report. The default project is to explore some small extension to a concept we study in class, to validate the experimental data in some paper, or to evaluate an idea of your own. More details about the project will be available as the semester progresses.
 

Exams

The mid-term exam is in class on Oct. 31.  The final is on Dec. 15, 9-11AM (this is the assigned Finals week slot), and is cumulative. The final exam will count as the PhD Architecture WPE I exam.
 

Grading

There are two sections of 501 this year. 501/001 includes the project and is required for PhD students. 501/002 does not include a project and is open to MSE, MCIT, and CSE students. The final course grade curves for the two sections will be separate.

The grade composition for 501/001 is:

The grade composition for 501/002 is:

Historically, the grade breakdown for 501 has been 40% A's, 40% B's and 10% C's and 10% D/F's. If your composite grade is more than a standard deviation below the mean, you will not get a B.

Academic Misconduct

If you want to cheat, go ahead. But God (and Kris Olson at OSC) help you if you get caught. A first offense will get you a non-negotiable zero on the corresponding assignment. Additional offenses will get you automatic failure in the course, a visit to Office of Student Conduct, a permanent mark on your record, and expulsion.

A good rule of thumb for good academic conduct is "anything with your name on it must be strictly your own." You can ask me, the TA, and each other for general help. But once you sit down to actually do something for credit, you must be working alone. If you think you are approaching the academic misconduct border, play it safe and turn around.

Here is Penn's code of academic integrity.