MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY
CIS 330 COURSE SYLLABUS

revised 8/05/2002

GENERAL INFORMATION

Course number: CIS 330
Credit/Contact hours: 3
Term: Fall, August 26 - December 6, 2002
Course title: Computer Organization
College website: www.mansfield.edu

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Instructor name: John Phillips
Instructor office location: Elliott 205 A
Instructor office hours: to be announced
Instructor telephone: 570-662-4704
Instructor e-mail address: jphillip@mnsfld.edu
Instructor website: www.programbetter.com

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Description

Overview of computer hardware, computer structure, machine representation of information, instruction codes, addressing, concepts of digital logic, microprogramming and assembly language programming.

Prerequisites: CIS 104

Textbooks

CODE: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software, Charles Petzold, 2000, Microsoft Press, ISBN: 0-7356-1131-9.

How Computers Work, 6th edition, Ron White, 2002, Que, ISBN: 0-7897-2549-5.

Software

This software is already installed on the computers in the Elliott 207 computer lab. However, you may wish to download and install copies on your own computer. The software is free.

MultiMedia Logic Win32 Kit - download at http://www.softronix.com/logic.html

8086 Microprocessor Simulator - download at http://www.softwareforeducation.com/download.htm.

Equipment and supplies

Access to the Internet is required either using your own computer or by using a computer in the school's computer lab. You should keep a backup copy of all work you do on one or more diskettes.

Course Websites

www.programbetter.com for the syllabus and course information

www.coursenotebook.com for the class discussion board

Course Outline

1. Introduction, history, number systems, information representation
2. Logic, gates, combinational circuits
3. Memory, flip flops, clocks
4. CPU design, control logic, machine code
5. Computer system design
6. Assembly language
7. Operating system
8. High level languages
   

Class schedule

Online course. Log on to coursenotebook (cnb) discussion board daily if possible.

Grading scale and policy

Work that meets the stated requirements will in general earn a C grade. Work that goes beyond the basic requirements will in general earn anywhere from a C+ to a B- grade. Work that is very good and exceeds the instructor's expectations will in general earn a B grade. Only the most outstanding work will earn an A grade.

(Refer to the Mansfield University Catalog for grades that can be awarded.)

A >= 90%
B >= 80%
C >= 70%
D >= 60%
F < 60%

In addition, the instructor may choose to further differentiate grades with plus and minus subdivisions as outlined in the catalog.

Quizzes are typically online, open book, and may be timed. In addtion, the quizzes will be comprehensive. That is, they may have questions from previous material as well as questions from the current material.

Assignments will be posted online. Unless otherwise specified, you may not work together on the assignments. If you get help from a person other than the instructor, you must include the details of this help in writing on the assignment.

The project may be an individual or a team (up to 4 student) effort. Keep in mind that the more people that are on your team the more difficult and extensive the project must be. A report documenting the project will be required. Details on the project will be given after the course is underway.

The final exam will be closed book and closed notes. The exam will be comprehensive. The final exam will not be online. Rather it must be taken on campus at one of the times that will be announced. If the student is not able to take the final on site, other arrangements will be made.

Late work policy

Work that is late will lose one letter grade for each day late. No excuses. Computer, server, ftp, and Internet problems will happen, therefore, make it a point to complete all assignments, quizzes, and the project at least one day before the deadline.

Instructor's expectations

This course places an emphasis on out-of-class experimentation, research, and reading. You will need to go beyond the textbook and draw from the extensive resources available on the Internet. You will need to spend a large amount of time exploring the course topics in a hands-on environment, either on your own computer or in the computer lab.

Methods of instruction

This is an online course. Assignments will be posted at www.coursenotebook.com. In general, you will need to do considerable reading and studying from the textbooks as well as from course notes and Internet sources. Many assignments will require the use of simulation software that will be made available to you for download. Or if you prefer, you can do the assignments in the Elliott computer lab. In addition, you will take a weekly online quiz. Feel free to ask questions on the class discussion board about any material you need clarified. However, do not ask questions about a quiz online. Rather, email the quiz question or other private items you would like to discuss to your instructor.

Unique requirements of the course

This course requires previous programming experience. In addition, I assume you have knowledge of basic algebra, essay writing, and general computer skills. Considerable time will be required to do the reading and complete the assignments. Please do not take this course if you do not have the time it will take to keep up with the work.

Academic Integrity

It may be tempting to cheat in this class. Do not do it! You will be posting some of your work for all to view. Feel free to browse other students' posted work, on-line web sites, and other books for ideas. However, if you copy that work or borrow an idea and you do not give credit for it, that is plagiarism. Likewise, if you discuss a quiz or exam you have taken with another student before they take it, that is cheating. Working together on graded homework in this class is also considered cheating. You may get help on homework if you get stuck, but you must carefully document the help you receive. In general, you may not do anything that gives you or another student an unfair advantage. If you are in doubt then discuss the situation with your instructor.

Withdrawal Policy for Individual Courses

The last day to withdraw from a College course with a "W" grade is published in the Academic Calendar. It is the responsibility of the student to complete and submit the necessary forms to the Registrar's Office. An official withdrawal would entitle the student to a grade of "W" in the course.

Syllabus Change Policy

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus as the course progresses.

COURSE TIMELINE