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Academic Overview

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will have -
Developed the ability to:

  • understand basic Computer Structure and Operation and demonstrate use of the associated vocabulary;
  • demonstrate knowledge of Arithmetic-Logic Unit, computer registers, Internal Bus, Memory, I/O organisations and interfacing standards;
  • describe the operation of the CPU and explain how it is used to execute instructions;
  • demonstrate an understanding of the basics of operating systems software using examples from File Systems, User Interfaces and Software Development Tools;
  • discuss network architecture standards for open systems;
  • describe TCP/IP network protocol;
  • understand the fundamental functions and architectures of LAN and WAN.
Developed attitudes that enable them to:
  • adopt a problem solving approach;
  • accept the code of professional conduct and practice;
  • act in accordance with best practice, industry standards and professional ethics.
Demonstrated the communication and teamwork skills necessary to:
  • cooperate effectively within small groups;
  • present their work in various forms.

Graduate Attributes

Monash prepares its graduates to be:
  1. responsible and effective global citizens who:
    1. engage in an internationalised world
    2. exhibit cross-cultural competence
    3. demonstrate ethical values
  2. critical and creative scholars who:
    1. produce innovative solutions to problems
    2. apply research skills to a range of challenges
    3. communicate perceptively and effectively

Assessment Summary

Examination (3 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

Assessment Task Value Due Date
Mid-semester test 12% Tuesday, September 13, 7 pm
Tutorial tests 1, 2, 3, 4 7% each Weeks 5, 7, 10, 12
Examination 1 60% To be advised

Teaching Approach

Lecture and tutorials or problem classes
This teaching and learning approach provides facilitated learning, practical exploration and peer learning.

Feedback

Our feedback to You

Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:
  • Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
  • Test results and feedback
  • Quiz results
  • Solutions to tutes, labs and assignments

Your feedback to Us

Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through SETU, Student Evaluation of Teacher and Unit. The University's student evaluation policy requires that every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.

For more information on Monash's educational strategy, and on student evaluations, see:
http://www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/directions.html
http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html

Previous Student Evaluations of this unit

If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp

Required Resources

SPIM. MIPS simulator: http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/packages/smartAnimator/

Wireshark. The packet Analysis Software:http://www.wireshark.org/

Unit Schedule

Week Activities Assessment
0   No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0
1 LN1: Overview of unit; history of computing; overview of computer organization; why we learn this unit  
2 LN2: Data representation and computer arithmetic (I)  
3 LN2: Data representation and computer arithmetic (II)  
4 LN3: Boolean algebra and digital logic  
5 LN4: Computer architecture Tutorial test 1: LN1-LN2
6 LN4: Computer architecture, LN5: System software  
7 LN5: System software, LN6: Operating systems Tutorial test 2: LN3-LN4
8 LN6: Operating systems Mid-semester test on Tuesday, 13 Sep: LN1-LN5tember 2011 at 7pm
9 LN7: Introduction to computer networks  
10 LN8: Applications layer Tutorial test 3: LN5-LN6
11 LN9: Transport layer  
12 LN10: Network layer Tutorial test 4: LN7-LN8
  SWOT VAC No formal assessment is undertaken SWOT VAC
  Examination period LINK to Assessment Policy: http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/
academic/education/assessment/
assessment-in-coursework-policy.html

*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your MUSO (Blackboard or Moodle) learning system.

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Policy

To pass a unit which includes an examination as part of the assessment a student must obtain:

  • 40% or more in the unit's examination, and
  • 40% or more in the unit's total non-examination assessment, and
  • an overall unit mark of 50% or more.

If a student does not achieve 40% or more in the unit examination or the unit non-examination total assessment, and the total mark for the unit is greater than 50% then a mark of no greater than 49-N will be recorded for the unit

Assessment Tasks

Participation

  • Assessment task 1
    Title:
    Mid-semester test
    Description:
    Includes material taught in modules LN1-LN5.
    Weighting:
    12%
    Criteria for assessment:
    Due date:
    Tuesday, September 13, 7 pm
  • Assessment task 2
    Title:
    Tutorial tests 1, 2, 3, 4
    Description:
    • Test 1: modules LN1-LN2
    • Test 2: modules LN3-LN4
    • Test 3: modules LN5-LN6
    • Test 4: modules LN7-LN8
    Weighting:
    7% each
    Criteria for assessment:
    Due date:
    Weeks 5, 7, 10, 12

Examinations

  • Examination 1
    Weighting:
    60%
    Length:
    3 hours
    Type (open/closed book):
    Closed book
    Electronic devices allowed in the exam:
    None

Assignment submission

It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/plagiarism-procedures.html) for students to submit an assignment coversheet for each assessment item. Faculty Assignment coversheets can be found at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/. Please check with your Lecturer on the submission method for your assignment coversheet (e.g. attach a file to the online assignment submission, hand-in a hard copy, or use an online quiz).

Extensions and penalties

Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced.

You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html.

Returning assignments

Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later

Other Information

Policies

Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University's academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might uphold them. You can find Monash's Education Policies at:
http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html

Key educational policies include:

Student services

The University provides many different kinds of support services for you. Contact your tutor if you need advice and see the range of services available at www.monash.edu.au/students The Monash University Library provides a range of services and resources that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. Students who have a disability or medical condition are welcome to contact the Disability Liaison Unit to discuss academic support services. Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) visit all Victorian campuses on a regular basis

  • L. Null and J. Lobur, Essentials of Computer Organization and Architecture, 2nd Edition,  Jones and Bartlett Publishing, 2006, ISBN: 0-7637-3769-0.
  • D. Tarnoff, Downloadable textbook: Computer organization and design fundamentals.
  • A.S. Tannenbaum, Structured Computer Organization, 5th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2006, ISBN:  9780131485211.
  • J.F. Kurose and K.W. Ross,Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, 5th Edition, Addison-Wesley Publishers, 2010, ISBN  978-0136-07967-5.
  • J. FitzGerald and A. Dennis, Business Data Communications and Networking, 10th Edition, , John Wiley & Sons Publishers, 2009, ISBN 978-0470-05575-5.
  • Sebastian Coope, John Cowley and Neil Willis, Computer Systems: Architecture, Networks and Communications, McGraw-Hill, 2002.  ISBN: 978-0077098032.
  • Miles Murdocca and Vincent Heuring, Computer Architecture and Organization: An Integrated Approach, Wiley,  2007. ISBN: 978-0471733881.
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