NEW1001 is a core unit introduced as part of the common core for first year undergraduates in the Faculty of Information Technology (FIT) for 2006.

This is a first generation entry for this unit in the re-structure of FIT undergradute programs. Changes will be noted in the Version History.

SFEC 03/06: This unit will be co-taught with CSE1201(BComp) as part of the teaching-out strategy for that unit.

NEW1001 Computer Systems forms part of the common core for first year undergraduate FIT students. Its key objectives are to prepare students so that they will:

• Understand the basic internal architecture and operation of a computer and its peripherals
• Understand the basics of operating system software and its support for software development tools
• Understand critical factors that affect computer performance.

NEW1001 Computer Systems is a first year unit of study in the common core.

NEW1001 Computer Systems is a common core unit.

All IT graduates need to have exposure to this topic area because knowledge of computer architecture and operating system software, leads to greater understanding of common IT tasks, such as data storage and retrieval, the programming process and the operation of computing equipment. This allows designers and programmers to specify, develop and debug IT systems more effectively.

ASCED Discipline Group Classification: 031305 Computer Engineering.

NEW1001 Computer Systems will introduce students to basic computer hardware and operating systems software with emphasis on the concepts required to understand the low-level and internal operations of computer systems.

In particular, this includes study of data representation, simple digital logic, computer organisation including CPU, memory and input/output devices, as well as machine-level and assembly language programming, and operating system concepts with examples of process management, file system structures and user interfaces. The intention is to provide opportunities for students to relate the hardware knowledge covered in this unit to the concepts learned in their introductory programming and systems analysis classes and to give a more complete understanding of how hardware and software are used to build systems.

This provides opportunities for students to relate the use of programming languages and studies of system design and project management to their implementation on computer hardware.

This unit will introduce students to basic computer hardware and operating systems software with emphasis on the concepts required to understand the low-level and internal operations of computer systems.

1. "Essentials of Computer Organization and Architecture" by Null and Lobur (2003). Jones and Bartlett.
2. "Structured Computer Organization" 5th Edition by Tanenbaum (2006). Pearson:Prentice-Hall.
3. "Computer Organization and Architecture: Designing for Performance" 7th Edition by Stallings (2006). Prentice-Hall.
4. "Systems Architecture" 5th Edition by Burd (2006). Thompson:CourseTechnology
5. "Operating System Concepts" 7th Edition by Silberschatz, Galvin and Gagne (2005). Wiley.

• Lectures
• Laboratories and Tutorials
• Unit also available in OCL mode, involving printed notes and/or on-line materials and internet based discussion groups.

Contact time for on-campus modes will be up to five hours per week. This will be divided into formal lectures, laboratories, and tutorials.

Lectures will be used to present concepts and the relationships between ideas, and so guide the student through a structured outline of the material derived from, but not necessarily identical to that provided by the text books and online resources. Tutorials and hands-on Laboratory sessions will be used to link the theory with practice and enhance the students understanding. Software tools, such as simulators with visual interfaces, will be employed to illustrate these concepts and help develop understanding.

Lectures and supporting examples, text references and resources will be used to address all learning objectives. Practical classes will address learning objectives 1 to 6 and 8. OCL students will be provided with a CD which contains the study guide, laboratory/tutorial assignments, logic and CPU simulators to enable them to complete all practical/tutorial exercises.

12 hours per week. 3 hours of lectures, 1 tutorial hour per week, and 2 hours of practicals for 6 weeks in the later part of the semester. On average, the workload is 5 hours per week.

On campus modes will require lecture rooms with data display and internet connection, with a PC and facility to plug in a laptop computer.

Tutorials will normally be scheduled in flexible learning spaces with access to networked computers, discussion and group-work facilities (flexible desk arrangements, white boards, data projectors).

Standard PC laboratories (SOE) for on-campus students. OCL students will be provided with a CD to complete practical exercises on their own PC.

Special Interest Group (SIG) to monitor unit and prepare resources. One Lecturer for each campus offering per semester. A tutor per tutorial/practical session for each campus offering per semester. Equivalent requirements for summer semester offerings.

Adequate copies of the texts mentioned above.

Faculty of Information Technology

None.

There is no interfaculty involvement for common core units.

This is a faculty unit and the team responsible for its development has had representatives from all organizational units of the faculty.

ITS and Faculty IT support

None.

Nil.

Nandita Bhattacharjee