Title :
Lessons learned from teaching computer architecture to computer science students
Author :
Theys, Mitchell D. ; Troy, Patrick A.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Comput. Sci., Illinois Univ., Chicago, IL, USA
Abstract :
Computer science students require more detail about computer architecture than a black box approach can provide. Teaching the appropriate level of detail and assuring that students understand why the subject is taught are nontrivial tasks. In the Computer Science Department at the University of Illinois at Chicago the approach taken is to present the material from the typical three course computer architecture sequence as a two course sequence. In addition, a variety of simulators are utilized to strengthen the material and help control the topic flow. The simulators used include a programmable logic array software package, a MIPS assembly simulator, and a locally created control code simulator. Teaching the two course sequence has been proven to be challenging. This paper presents lessons learned concerning: (1) the level of coverage required; (2) the simulators used, (3) how to maintain topic flow; and (4) future plans for improving the sequence.
Keywords :
computer architecture; computer science education; educational courses; programmable logic arrays; teaching; Chicago; Computer Science Department; MIPS assembly simulator; University of Illinois; black box approach; computer architecture; computer science students; control code simulator; programmable logic array software package; Assembly; Circuit simulation; Computational modeling; Computer architecture; Computer science; Education; Logic circuits; Logic programming; Logic testing; Programmable logic arrays;
Conference_Titel :
Frontiers in Education, 2003. FIE 2003 33rd Annual
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-7961-6
DOI :
10.1109/FIE.2003.1264667