Computer Systems Architecture (CSA) Assignment

Work as a group to investigate the issues involved with the computer architecture
CLO2 (A3, PLO4)

CLO3 Present CPU scheduling mechanisms, memory management techniques (A2,

PLO5)

PLO4 – Social Skills, Teamwork and Responsibility

PLO5 – Communication skills

Section A – Investigation and Findings

Computer system architecture is focused on describing the structure and behavior of the different
functional units of general computer. Nowadays, computer systems are widely used in any small
or medium size organization such as schools, universities, factories, cyber cafes, gaming center,
restaurants and many more. Benefits / importance, of suitable hardware and software components
need to be researched and proposed…….

In a group of 3-4 members, you are required to investigate the issues involved with the designing
of computer architecture for any chosen organization. Information can be gathered from your
observation during industry visit OR survey/interview conducted. Document your findings in a
proper report.

Discuss (individually) on the issues involved with the implementation and design of computer
architecture components from the perspective of computer systems users in the chosen
organization. Provide suitable examples and propose solution for each issue identified.

Section B – Individual Research

Based on the operating system chosen in your Operating System assignment (individual
component), provide technical discussion on CPU scheduling mechanisms and memory
management techniques of the selected OS.

You are required to present the progress of your individual research (Section B) during Week 8.
Report Guidelines

Following are the suggested contents to be in report;

1. Cover page
2. Introduction
3. Section A – Investigation and Findings
3.1 Organization Background
3.2 Computer Systems in the organization
3.2 Data Collection and Findings
3.4 Issues 1; Issues 2; Issues 3
4. Conclusion and Recommendation
5. Section B – Individual Research
5.1 Operating System 1
5.2 Operating System 2
5.3 Operating System 3
5.4 Operating System 4
6. Workload Matrix
7. References
8. Peer Evaluation Form
 Marking Scheme (based on SLT):

GROUP COMPONENTS (40%)

1.0-2.0 3.0-4.0 5.0-6.0 7.0-8.0 9.0-10

Criteria Weight Score
(Fail) (Marginal Fail) (Pass) (Credit) (Distinction)

No table of Table of content Table of content Good structure and Very good structure
content and page exist but without included with flow of and flow of
Documentation
numbering, font page numbers, proper page documentation with documentation,
and Report
size and type are report structure numbering, appropriate header appropriate header
(10%)
not standardized not standardized standardized report & footer & footer with very 1 10
(including structure & good appearance
alignment and headings.
spacing)

Incomplete Assignment All assignment Relevant Up to date

assignment requirements are requirements are information information
requirements partially completed. provided provided.
completed.
Incomplete Good investigation Good investigation Very good
Investigation &
investigation and Appropriate demonstrated, with demonstrated, with investigation
Finding
findings of the choice of relevant findings good discussion on technique
(15%) 1.5 15
Computer investigation the findings. demonstrated, with
systems technique, but detailed discussion
Architecture findings are on the findings.
rather weak or
irrelevant.

No issues Issues Proper Issues and Good Issues and Good quality of
identified or discussion is conclusion & conclusion & Issues and
incomplete issues incomplete and Recommendations Recommendations conclusion &
Issues & and no conclusion incomplete are provided. are provided. Recommendations
Conclusion or conclusion are provided. With 1.5 15
(15%) Recommendation proper analysis.

INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS (60%)

1.0-2.0 3.0-4.0 5.0-6.0 7.0-8.0 9.0-10

Criteria Weight Score
(Fail) (Marginal Fail) (Pass) (Credit) (Distinction)

Almost no Limited details Sufficient facts Good facts related Very good facts
analysis for the of Operating related to the to the Operating related to the
Operating System. Details Operating System. System. Sufficient Operating System.
System, and no proposed are Has minimal critical discussion Good critical
Operating details of minimal and has critical discussion. but lack of details discussion with
information very less critical supporting 1.5 15
system (15)
presented. discussion. examples.
 Incomplete Assignment All assignment Relevant Up to date
assignment requirements are requirements are information information
requirements partially completed. provided provided.
completed.
Incomplete CPU Good CPU Good CPU Very good
scheduling Appropriate scheduling scheduling investigation
techniques of the choice of CPU technique technique, with technique
CPU Scheduling
Operating scheduling discussed, with good discussion on demonstrated, with 2 20
(20)
System. technique, but relevant findings the findings. detailed discussion
findings are on the findings.
rather weak or
irrelevant.

Incomplete Assignment All assignment Relevant Up to date

assignment requirements are requirements are information information
requirements partially completed. provided provided.
completed.
Incomplete Good memory Good memory Very good memory
memory Appropriate management management management
Memory
management of choice of technique technique, with technique
Management
the Operating memory discussed, with good discussion on demonstrated, with
(20) 2 20
System. management relevant findings the findings. detailed discussion
technique, but on the findings.
findings are
rather weak or
irrelevant.

No in-text Minimal in-text Sufficient number Recent source of Very good quality
citation and very citation and of references and references used, of references used,
minimal references used. citation in the with proper with proper citation
references. Major Minor issues in report. No issue in reference list. and reference list
Referencing (5) 0.5 5
issues in the the referencing the referencing Limited in-text for all facts and
referencing format. format citation in the report diagrams used
format.

100
Total Marks

Grading Sheet

Distinction A+: 80% + A: 75-79%

Credit B+: 70 – 74% B: 65 – 69%

Pass C+: 60 – 64% C: 55 – 59 % C-: 50 – 54%

Marginal Fail D: 40–49%

Fail F+: 30-39% F: 20-29% F-: 0-19%

Marking Criteria

Distinction: 75 to 100 marks (A+, A)

Demonstrated comprehensive research with detailed evidence. High level of analysis performed,
exceptional and thorough knowledge and understanding displayed with regard to application. This
includes analysis and evaluation of facts followed by results of evaluation. Good quality
documentation with no spelling or grammatical errors, presented in a professional manner,
following proper sequencing and flow. Displayed evidence of critical appraisal.

Credit: 65 to 74 marks (B+, B)

Adequate research conducted with fair detail of evidence presented. Moderate level of
understanding, analysis and knowledge displayed. Some level of relevance included in terms of
application. Moderate level of analysis and evaluation of facts followed by results comparison.
Good level documentation presented. Some level of reflection was evident in the documentation.
Moderate level of critical appraisal.

Pass: 50 – 64 marks (C+, C, C-)

Low level research conducted. Some evidence of research displayed. Basic level of understanding
and knowledge analysis displayed. Satisfactory level of documentation. No evaluation and analysis
of facts, no results comparison performed. Satisfactory or low level of reflection displayed. No
level of critical appraisal demonstrated.

Report Should Follow

1. The report includes Section A and Section B and should be typed and well presented.
Submission of reports that are unprofessional in its outlook (dirty, disorganized, inconsistent
look, varying colored paper and size) will not fare well when marks are allocated.

2. The report should have a one (1”) margin all around the page as illustrated below:
 1 inch 1 inch

1 inch

1 inch
The Typed Text

1 inch

1 inch
1 inch 1 inch

3. Every report must have a front cover. The front cover should have the following details: -

a) Name of group members.

b) Intake code.

c) Subject.

d) Title of the Assignment

e) Date Assigned (the date the report was handed out).

f) Date Completed (the date the report is due to be handed in).

4. Plagiarism is a serious offence and will automatically be awarded zero (0) marks.

5. All information, figures and diagrams obtained from external sources must be referenced using
the Harvard referencing system accordingly.

*IMPORTANT*

You must submit your assignment softcopy online before the deadline.