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COMP3467: ADVANCED COMPUTER SYSTEMS

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Type	Open
Level	3
Credits	10
Availability	Available in 2023/24
Module Cap	None.
Location	Durham
Department	Computer Science

Prerequisites

COMP1071 Computer Systems

Corequisites

None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

None

Aims

To develop an understanding of current hardware architectures and their interplay with programming models and application performances.
To appreciate how performance and security of computer systems are affected by their architecture.
To develop practical skills in application development, server provisioning and orchestration in the context of large scale computing.

Content

Computer Architecture including current processor characteristics and designs
System administration
Parallel programming
Memory systems: cache design and performance
Processor architecture and security

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
The relationship between hardware architectures and High Level Programming Languages;
Complex performance issues of current computers, and the selection of processors for specific applications.

Subject-specific Skills:

On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
An awareness of current technology, design analysis, and commercial practice and the ability to bring these together to provide innovative solutions for digital systems.

Key Skills:

On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
Capacity for self-learning in familiar and unfamiliar situations;
General problem solving skills.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Lectures enable the students to learn new material relevant to modern computer architecture and its implications.
Examinations in assess an understanding of core concepts and applications.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total
lectures	17	Submodule 1: 1 per week; Submodule 2: 2 per week	1 hour	17
practicals	5	Submodule 1: 1 per week	1 hour	5
preparation and reading				78
total				100

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: 50%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Examination	2 hours	100	No

Component: Coursework		Component Weighting: 50%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Summative assignment		100	No

Formative Assessment

Example exercises set and reviewed in lectures

More information

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