Sept –Dec 2020 semester

KyU/F/ARSA/02

SCHOOL OF COMPUTING & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

COURSE OUTLINE

DEPARTMENT: COMPUTING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

PROGRAMME: B.Business IT , BSc Computer Science

YEAR: 1 SEMESTER: 1

UNIT CODE: SPC 2102 UNIT TITLE: Introduction to Computer Architecture

LECTURE HOURS: 45 PRE-REQUISITES: None

LECTURER: Dr. James Mwikya

LECTURER CONTACTS: EMAIL jmwikya@kyu.ac.ke

1.0 COURSE PURPOSE

To equip the learner with basic understanding of the components of computing hardware systems common to
most computer architectures

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course the learner should be able to:
i. Describe the fundamentals of computer organization.
ii. Discuss concepts and basic characteristics of computer processors
iii. Apply concepts of computer organization in real-life settings using various PC performance
improvements.

3.0 COURSE OUTLINE

Week Topic Sub-topic Remarks

1. Introduction to -Digital And Analog Computers
computers - Characteristics Of Computer
-Generations Of Computer
2. Classification Of -The Moore’s Law
Computer -The Computer System Constants

KyUC is ISO 9001:2008 Certified

 Sept –Dec 2020 semester

-The Computer Level Hierarchy

-The Von Neumann Model
-Non–Von Neumann Models
- The Input-Process-Output Concept
- Components Of Computer
Hardware
- Application Of Computers

3. The Computer System -Central Processing Unit

Hardware - Memory Unit
- Instruction Format
- Instruction Set
- Instruction Cycle
4. Microprocessor -Number Of Addresses
-Three-Address Machines,
- Two-Address Machines
- One-Address Machines
- Zero-Address Machines
- The Load/Store Architecture
- Processor Registers
- Interconnecting The Units Of A
Computer
- Performance Of A Computer
- Inside A Computer Cabinet
5 CAT I - CAT I
6. Computer Memory - Memory Representation
- Memory Hierarchy
- CPU Registers
- Cache Memory
- Primary Memory
- Secondary Memory
7. Access Types Of - Sequential Access Devices
Storage Devices - Direct Access Devices
- Performance: Effect Of Data
Alignment
- Using The Computer Memory
- Magnetic Tape, Magnetic Disk,
Optical Disk, Magneto-Optical Disk

8. Input And Output - Input-Output Unit

Devices - Input Devices
- Human Data Entry Devices
- Source Data Entry Devices
9. Output Devices -I/O Port
- Working Of I/O System
10. CAT 2 - CAT 2
11 Data Representation - Number System
- Conversion From Decimal To
Binary, Octal, Hexadecimal
- Conversion Of Binary, Octal,
Hexadecimal To Decimal
KyUC is ISO 9001:2008 Certified
 Sept –Dec 2020 semester

- Conversion Of Binary To Octal,

Hexadecimal
- Conversion Of Octal, Hexadecimal
To Binary
12. Binary Arithmetic - Signed And Unsigned Numbers
- Binary Data Representation
- Binary Coding Schemes
- Logic Gates
- Controlling A Calculator Display
With Logic Gates

4.0 TEACHING METHODOLOGY

Lectures, assignment, practical and tutorial sessions in Computer Laboratory, individual and group
assignments, exercises and project work.

5.0 INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Overhead projector and computer, handouts, white boards, Textbooks.
6.0 COURSE EVALUATION
CAT 1 = 10%
CAT 2 = 10%
OTHER ASSESSMENTS = 10%
Examination = 70%
Total = 100%
Pass mark: 40%

7.0 COURSE TEXTBOOKS

1. Mano, M. M. (2007). Computer System Architecture. Pearson Education ISBN: 9543-1-920759-31-6
2. Khana Rajiv (2007). “Introduction to Computers” New Age, ISBN: 978-81-224-2154-5
3. Arthur B. MacCabe (1993). Computer Systems: Architecture, Organization, and Programming Irwin
Professional Publishing ISBN-10: 0256114560

8.0 REFERENCE TEXTBOOKS

1. Henessy, J.L. and Patterson, D.A. (2007). Computer Organization and Architecture: The
Hardware/Software Interface. Rev. Ed. MA: Elsevier ISBN: 928-3-92054-31-6
2. Henessy, J.L. and Patterson, D.A. (2007). Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach. 5 th Ed. MA:
Elsevier ISBN: 974-1-921349-31-5
3. Tanenbaum A.S, Structured computer organization, Prentice – Hall French C.S, Handbook of computer
science (5th Edition), O.P. Publications Limited (insert year) ISBN: 925-1-934349-31-4

9.0 COURSE JOURNALS

1. Journal of computer science and Technology ISSN 1000-9000
2. Journal of Science and Technology ISSN 1860-4749
3. Central European Journal of Computer Science ISSN 1896-1533
10.0 REFERENCE JOURNALS
1. Central European Journal of Computer Science ISSN 1896-1533
2. Journal of computer science and Technology ISSN 1000-9000
3. Advances in data Analysis and Classification ISSN1 1862-5347

KyUC is ISO 9001:2008 Certified