The University of Michigan-Flint

 

CSC 277, Introduction to Computer Organization

and Assembly Languages

Winter 2001

 

Instructor:                  Dr. Stephen W. Turner

Office:                        214B MSB

Telephone:                 766-6696

Email:                         swturner@flint.umich.edu

Web:                           http://packard.flint.umich.edu/~swturner

 

Office Hours:             M-W                10:00 to 10:50 a.m.

                                    F                      12:00 to 12:50 p.m. (and by appointment)

Course Hours:           M-W-F            11:00 to 11:50 a.m. 325 MSB

                                    M                     12:00 to 12:50 p.m. 106 MSB

 

Class Not Meeting:   Monday January 15 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)

Monday February 26 through Friday March 2 (Spring Break)

 

Text:                           Kip R. Irvine, Assembly Language for Intel-Based Computers, 3rd

Edition, Prentice Hall

 

Course Description:

 

CSC 277 provides an introduction to assembly language programming.  In addition to the primary topic of programming in Intel x86 assembly language, the course covers several related topics, including:  number systems, structured programming techniques, the interface of assembly language with high-level programming languages, the assembly and linking/loading process, machine representation of data and instructions, and machine organization, including registers, primary storage, the arithmetic logic unit, the control unit, and operations inside the machine.

 

Course Objectives:

 

This course will develop an understanding of:

 

a.     the use of assembly language on the Intel x86 processor family.

b.     the organization of digital computing systems.

c.     the representation of and operations on basic data types.

d.     the process of translating and executing a computer program.

e.     top-down design and structured programming.

f.      some practical aspects of computer operation, such as debugging facilities.

 

Grading Policy:

 

Grades will be based on 100 possible points, using the following distribution schedule:

 

Assignments:

44%

(Due dates based on class progress)

Exam 1:

12%

Friday February 9

Exam 2:

12%

Friday March 16

Exam 3:

12%

Friday April 13

Final Exam:

20%

Wednesday April 25, 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

 

Letter grades reported to the University are based on the following table, which indicates the minimum points required to ensure that you receive the grade listed on the same row.

 

A

92-100%

A-

89-91%

B+

86-88%

B

82-85%

B-

79-81%

C+

76-78%

C

70-75%

D

60-69%

F

0-59%

 

Examinations:

 

All exams are written, closed book, closed notes.

 

Assignments:

 

Assignments are due in class on the day specified on the assignment description.  I will accept late assignments.  However, late assignments carry with them a 10% reduction in the grade, per day.  Please note that if you are unable to turn an assignment in on the due date, then it will be considered late unless you have made arrangements with me at least twenty-four (24) hours before the assignment is due.  No assignments will be accepted after the last scheduled day of lecture.

 

            Programming assignments are graded as follows:

 

·       up to 50% readability (conforms to coding standard to be discussed in class)

·       at least 50% execution (error free and with correct results)

 

 

 

Academic Misconduct:

 

Study groups for preparation for an examination or to discuss the logic (not the coding) of programming assignments are permitted.  In other words, you are allowed to discuss the programming assignments with each other and with me, but the sharing of any code in any form is not acceptable and is considered plagiarism, which will not be tolerated.  If I deem that such an event has occurred, all students involved will at minimum receive zero credit for the assignment and may receive a zero credit (failing grade) for the class.  I advise you to protect your work:  keep your printouts and charts to yourself, and do not dispose of old versions of any assignments in the lab receptacles.

 

Attendance Policy:

 

You will be held accountable for all classroom and lab learning experiences and all announcements made during scheduled class time.

 

Students with Disabilities:

 

Students with disabilities that may restrict their full participation in course activities are encouraged to meet with the instructor or to contact the Office of Accessibility Services (part of the Student Development Center, located at 264 University Center).

 

Notes:

 

I reserve the right to modify course policies, the course calendar, assignment of point values, and due dates.

 

Any extenuating circumstances that hinder your participation in the course should be discussed with me as soon as those circumstances are known.

 

Make-ups for graded activities may be arranged if an absence is caused by documented illness or personal emergency.  A written explanation, including supporting documentation, must be submitted to me; if the explanation is acceptable, then an alternative to the graded activity will be arranged.  Whenever possible, make-up arrangements must be completed prior to the scheduled activity.