1. CS 3501 Computer Organization and Architecture
Dr. Clincy
Professor of CS
Dr. Clincy
Lecture

2. Course Info
Handouts will be provided too
Dr. Clincy
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3. Course Description & Outcome
Dr. Clincy
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4. Tentative Course Schedule
Dr. Clincy
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5. Assessment
If average score is less than 70, will curve score to an average grade of 75 (explain in more details later).
Ch 3’s topics are the most important and challenging topics of the course and you will be examined in two parts (one part open book and another part closed book) – worth 24%
Must have a book for the course – will need it for open book exams – if you have an ebook (or pdf), you will need to print the chapters for the open book exams – letting you know the very first day
Should bring a calculator to ALL open-book and closed-book exams – cannot use your phone – will receive a zero if you use your phone
Teams will be comprised for the final project – if team size drops below 2, the remaining team member will be re-assigned
Department Exam - mostly over assembly programming – other topics TBD – will not curve grade for this test
Dr. Clincy
Intro

6. Lesson in Stats – Example of Curving Grades – Raw Score to Final Grade
What is an Avg ?
What is the SD ?
This is the curve
Fitting raw scores to a curve
Curve if avg is below 70
If SD is less than 10, use 10
? = 90 + (RS-77)/1.4
? = 80 + (RS-63)/1.4
? = 70 + (RS-49)/1.4
? = 60 + (RS-35)/1.4
Can all As, Bs or Cs be made with such a grading approach ? YES
Dr. Clincy
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7. Lab Policies and Expectations:
All lab assignments are designed to be completed in the allotted lab time.
All labs must be completed by 2:10pm; this will give the lab instructor 10 minutes to shut down the lab – another lab section or course could be needing the room.
The lab instructor is not expected or paid to stay past the lab deadline
No makeup labs will be given and all labs must be conducted in the lab room (so you will not be able to conduct labs prior to the allotted time and day)
Your lab grade will be based on the percentage of the lab assignment you complete by 2:10pm
Your Professor expectations will be to present the lab assignment and clarify any questions about the assignment itself,
Your lab instructor will assist with the tools used for the lab,and check-off your progress.
Your lab instructor is not expected to do your lab assignments or tell you the answers
Your lab instructor is not responsible for teaching or explaining any lecture content.
Dr. Clincy
Lecture

8. General Policies and Expectations:
Attendance at all classes is highly encouraged but NOT required. Concepts and ideas discussed in one class are used as building blocks for more concepts and ideas in the next class.
Any class session missed by the student is the student's responsibility to make up.
Makeup exams will NOT be given; instead, the last exam will count in place of the missed exam. Will not drop the lowest grade. If last exam is missed, the average of the other exams will be used.
Exams should be returned to the Professor in class right after the review for the student to receive a grade. Grades are not logged until the students have reviewed the exams for grading mistakes (all exams except the last). If a student takes the exam from the classroom, a grading penalty of 50% will be used due to the fact the Professor has no real way of determining if the exam was tampered with or not.
The Professor expects students to take advantage of office hours when needing clarification or help.
You cannot attend some other course section’s lectures, labs or exams – each course section is independent
If the student requires additional materials to read or additional problems to solve in better understanding the topics and concepts, the Professor expects the student to take the initiative in locating additional materials or problems. The book’s website has solutions to some of the chapter problems.
Dr. Clincy
Lecture

9. General Policies and Expectations:
In being successful in this subject, expect a minimum of 2-3 hours of study per hour of lecture (6-9 hours per week)
The Professor greatly supports students sending s at any time – it will be the goal of the Professor to reply to s within a 24-hour time span (not counting weekends).
Lecture notes purpose: serve as a guide to the Professor – help organize and time lecture
Guarantee: current lecture notes will be posted before the next up-and-coming lecture (ie. lecture notes 1 will be posted before lecture 2 occurs)
See syllabus for withdrawal policy, enrollment policy, and the Academic Integrity Statement. Be sure and give me the signed copy at the next class meeting
Go to my website for a syllabus and lecture notes
Dr. Clincy
Lecture

10. (Listen to Recording) HELPFUL INSIGHT REGARDING CS3501 UPFRONT
Why CS3501 ? I am a programmer …
A Computer Scientist should have a good understanding of the “science” of a “computer” compared to other professionals
Not at the level of a “Computer Engineer”
Not at the level of a “Physicist”
CS majors today are much more marketable if they have significant knowledge of hardware
Course Constraints
KSU CS is ABET Accredited
National body oversees - books, exams, instructors’ credentials, curriculum, etc…
Professor doesn’t have the freedom to do what ever they want
You can compete with anyone nationally
Can’t “waterdown” subject matter – reflected in exams, projects, the book used, etc.. jeopardizes accreditation
Can’t “cherry-pick” topics because you will not study the topics that were not picked – jeopardizes your ability to be competitive and knowledgeable
Course Flexibility
Grading (let the students set the GRADING scale)
Old fashion grading approach is out dated and doesn’t fit our subject matter or student body
Subject matter changes every 2-3 years
Open acceptance – Experienced guru to traditional straight out of Highschool student
Professor and students focus on the subject vs the grades
Your grade is relative and not absolute – explain this
Is CS3501 only challenging at KSU ?
It is a well known and established “stereotype” that Org&Arch is usually the most challenging “CS” course for CS majors –nationally – especially for “accredited” CS programs
EE – Electromagnetic Fields I, II, III
Math – Abstract Algebra and Real Analysis
MD – BioChem I, II
Org&Arch isn’t programming oriented
Org&Arch is engineering oriented
Requires deductive reasoning
Right or Wrong answers – like Math and Physics
Requires FULLY understanding a “concept” in securing the correct answer
Memorizing problems and answers is not helpful, like Math and Physics
Explain the “working many problems” versus “greatly explaining the concept” time-constraint dilemma
Topics build on one another – topics are logically interrelated
How can I maximize my success in CS3501?
Understand the challenge of the subject matter on day one
Maintain a positive attitude about learning the topics for the duration of the course
Realize CS3501 requires a significant amount of studying to make average to great grades
Study and learn as you go – do not only study right before the exam
No Excuses: Bad Book, Bad Professor, Not enough time, Etc
Don’t depend on MEMORIZING problems – understand concepts
Ask questions and use office hours PROMPTLY in gathering clarity regarding concepts
FOR A REFRESHER, REFER BACK TO THIS PPT SLIDE MIDWAY AND AT THE END THE COURSE
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