CS80E is a brand new class that aims to give students a taste of how computer hardware works. This class will provide a broad introduction to various aspects of digital systems and computer architecture, including digital circuits, processors, the memory hierarchy, and other miscellaneous hardware components like GPU's. Whether you're just entering the field of Computer Science and are eager to learn about hardware, or you're almost done with your degree and you realize that you'd like to learn more about how computers actually work, this is the class for you!
| Week 1 | NO CLASS - Yom Kippur |
Introduction: Syllabus + Motivation
Assignment 0 (Getting to know you) Out
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| Week 2 | From the Real World to 1's and 0's |
Digital Systems I
Assignment 0 Due
Assignment 1 (Digital Systems) Out
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| Week 3 | Digital Systems II | ISA I |
| Week 4 | NO CLASS - Trip is away |
ISA II
Assignment 1 Due
Assignment 2 (RISC-y Business) Out
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| Week 5 | Processors I | Processors II |
| Week 6 | More Processors + Memory Hierarchy I |
Memory Hierarchy II + Caches Intro
Assignment 2 Due
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| Week 7 |
Caches + Cache Coherence
Assignment 3 (SCache) Out
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Cache Coherence + Performance Analysis |
| Week 8 | I/O |
Dissecting a Modern Computer
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| THANKSGIVING RECESS | ||
| Week 9 |
Guest Lecture from Parthiv Krishna - Chip Fabrication
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GPU's
Assignment 3 Due
Assignment 4 Out
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| Week 10 | Security in hardware |
Course Wrap-up: Fun topics + Where to go from here!
Assignment 4 Due During Finals Week (week 11)
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