MSCS: MCS 510 – Advanced Computer Architecture
Categories: MS in Computer Science
About Course
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This course covers the principles of computer architecture, focusing on the design and analysis of modern computing systems.
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Key topics include instruction set design, pipelining, memory hierarchies, parallel processing, and advanced architectural techniques used in contemporary processors.
What Will You Learn?
- Analyze and evaluate different computer architectures based on performance, cost, and energy efficiency.
- Design and optimize instruction sets for specific applications.
- Implement and assess pipelining techniques in modern processors.
- Critically assess memory hierarchy designs and their impact on performance.
- Develop strategies for parallel processing and multi-core processor design.
Course Content
Week 1: Introduction to Computer Architecture
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Week 1: Introduction to Computer Architecture
03:26 -
LO1: Explain the fundamental concepts of Computer Architecture in modern Computing Systems
10:22 -
LO2: Describe the Historical evolution of Computer Architectures and their impact on Current Design Trends
12:09 -
LO3: Analyse the role of Computer Architecture in determining System Performance and Efficiency
11:22 -
Multiple Choice Questions
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True/False Questions
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Scenario-Based Multiple Choice Questions
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Key Terms and Concepts Questions
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Short Answer Questions
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Written Assignment
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Presentation Task
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Role-Playing Activity
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Peer Review Task
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Exercises and Activities Adaptation
Week 2: Instruction Set Architecture
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Week 2: Instruction Set Architecture
02:37 -
LO1: Define the components and structure of Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)
09:02 -
LO2: Compare different types of ISAs and evaluate their performance implications
08:58 -
LO3: Analyse the Trade-offs involved in Designing an Instruction Set for a specific Application
09:26 -
Multiple Choice Questions
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True/False Questions
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Scenario-Based Multiple Choice Questions
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Key Terms and Concepts Questions
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Short Answer Questions
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Written Assignment
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Presentation Task
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Role-Playing Activity
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Peer Review Task
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Exercises and Activities Adaptation
Week 3: Pipelining Concepts
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Week 3: Pipelining Concepts
03:09 -
LO1: Explain the principles of Instruction Pipelining and its role in improving Processor Throughput
10:34 -
LO2: Identify Pipeline Hazards and describe their causes and effects on performance
07:48 -
LO3: Analyse Data Dependencies and their influence on Pipeline efficiency
12:14 -
Multiple Choice Questions
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True/False Questions
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Scenario-Based Multiple Choice Questions
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Key Terms and Concepts Questions
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Short Answer Questions
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Written Assignment
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Presentation Task
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Role-Playing Activity
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Peer Review Task
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Exercises and Activities Adaptation
Week 4: Advanced Pipelining Techniques
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Week 4: Advanced Pipelining Techniques
03:21 -
LO1: Explain techniques to resolve Pipeline Hazards, including Forwarding and Hazard Detection
10:46 -
LO2: Describe the principles of Super pipelining and Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW) Architectures
10:31 -
LO3: Evaluate advanced Pipelining strategies for their impact on Processor performance
09:13 -
Multiple Choice Questions
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True/False Questions
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Scenario-Based Multiple Choice Questions
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Key Terms and Concepts Questions
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Short Answer Questions
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Written Assignment
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Presentation Task
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Role-Playing Activity
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Peer Review Task
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Exercises and Activities Adaptation
Week 5: Memory Hierarchies: Cache Design
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Week 5: Memory Hierarchies: Cache Design
03:27 -
LO1: Describe the structure and purpose of Cache Memory in the Memory Hierarchy
10:10 -
LO2: Compare different types of Cache Organizations and Mapping Techniques
10:32 -
LO3: Analyze Cache performance using Metrics such as Hit rate, Miss rate, and Latency
10:51 -
Multiple Choice Questions
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True/False Questions
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Scenario-Based Multiple Choice Questions
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Key Terms and Concepts Questions
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Short Answer Questions
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Written Assignment
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Presentation Task
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Role-Playing Activity
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Peer Review Task
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Exercises and Activities Adaptation
Week 6: Advanced Cache Optimization
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Week 6: Advanced Cache Optimization
03:01 -
LO1: Explain techniques for improving Cache performance, including Prefetching and Replacement policies
09:17 -
LO2: Describe Multi-level Cache Architectures and their design considerations
11:02 -
LO3: Evaluate Cache Optimisation strategies for their impact on Speed, Cost, and Power Consumption
10:24 -
Multiple Choice Questions
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True/False Questions
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Scenario-Based Multiple Choice Questions
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Key Terms and Concepts Questions
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Short Answer Questions
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Written Assignment
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Presentation Task
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Role-Playing Activity
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Peer Review Task
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Exercises and Activities Adaptation
Week 7: Parallel Processing Techniques
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Week 7: Parallel Processing Techniques
02:58 -
LO1: Explain the principles of SIMD, MIMD, and other Parallel Processing Models
11:17 -
LO2: Describe the Architecture and Design considerations of Multi-core processors
10:54 -
LO3: Evaluate the Trade-offs between different Parallel processing techniques in terms of Scalability and Performance
10:07 -
Multiple Choice Questions
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True/False Questions
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Scenario-Based Multiple Choice Questions
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Key Terms and Concepts Questions
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Short Answer Questions
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Written Assignment
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Presentation Task
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Role-Playing Activity
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Peer Review Task
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Exercises and Activities Adaptation
Week 8: Mid Term Exam
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Week 8: Mid Term Exam
08:26 -
Multiple Choice Questions
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True/False Questions
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Scenario-Based Multiple Choice Questions
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Short Answer Questions
Week 9: Virtual Memory
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Week 9: Virtual Memory
03:06 -
LO1: Describe the principles and advantages of Virtual Memory Systems
10:20 -
LO2: Explain common Page Replacement Algorithms and their performance implications
09:41 -
LO3: Evaluate the effect of Virtual Memory Management on overall System performance
10:04 -
Multiple Choice Questions
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True/False Questions
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Scenario-Based Multiple Choice Questions
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Key Terms and Concepts Questions
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Short Answer Questions
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Written Assignment
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Presentation Task
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Role-Playing Activity
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Peer Review Task
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Exercises and Activities Adaptation
Week 10: Multi-Core Processor Design
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Week 10: Multi-Core Processor Design
04:36 -
LO1: Describe the Architecture and components of Multi-core processors
10:14 -
LO3: Analyse scalability challenges in Multi-core processor design
11:14 -
LO3: Analyse the Trade-offs involved in Designing an Instruction Set for a specific Application
09:57 -
Multiple Choice Questions
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True/False Questions
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Scenario-Based Multiple Choice Questions
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Key Terms and Concepts Questions
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Short Answer Questions
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Written Assignment
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Presentation Task
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Role-Playing Activity
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Peer Review Task
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Exercises and Activities Adaptation
Week 11: Performance Metrics & Benchmarking
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Week 11: Performance Metrics & Benchmarking
04:06 -
LO1: Identify key performance metrics used to evaluate Computer Architecture
09:52 -
LO2: Explain the role of Benchmarking in performance evaluation
10:12 -
LO3: Analyse benchmark results to assess Architectural strengths and weaknesses
09:55 -
Multiple Choice Questions
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True/False Questions
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Scenario-Based Multiple Choice Questions
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Key Terms and Concepts Questions
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Short Answer Questions
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Written Assignment
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Presentation Task
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Role-Playing Activity
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Peer Review Task
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Exercises and Activities Adaptation
Week 12: Case Studies in Modern Processor Design
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Week 12: Case Studies in Modern Processor Design
04:08 -
LO1: Describe the Design features of recent Processor Architectures
11:28 -
LO2: Analyse industry trends in Processor design using case study examples
11:07 -
LO3: Evaluate Processor innovations in terms of performance, power efficiency, and scalability
11:00 -
Multiple Choice Questions
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True/False Questions
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Scenario-Based Multiple Choice Questions
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Key Terms and Concepts Questions
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Short Answer Questions
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Written Assignment
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Presentation Task
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Role-Playing Activity
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Peer Review Task
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Exercises and Activities Adaptation
Week 13: Energy Efficiency in Processors
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Week 13: Energy Efficiency in Processors
03:38 -
LO1: Explain energy-saving techniques in modern Processor design
10:42 -
LO2: Describe low-power Computing strategies for various Application Domains
09:22 -
LO3: Evaluate trade-offs between performance and power efficiency in Processor Architecture
09:09 -
Multiple Choice Questions
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True/False Questions
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Scenario-Based Multiple Choice Questions
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Key Terms and Concepts Questions
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Short Answer Questions
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Written Assignment
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Presentation Task
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Role-Playing Activity
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Peer Review Task
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Exercises and Activities Adaptation
Week 14: Future Trends in Computer Architecture
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Week 14: Future Trends in Computer Architecture
05:12 -
LO1: Identify emerging trends in Computer Architecture, including Quantum and Neuromorphic computing
10:24 -
LO2: Explain the potential impact of these trends on future Computing systems
09:35 -
LO3: Analyse the challenges and opportunities associated with next-generation Architectures
09:57 -
Multiple Choice Questions
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True/False Questions
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Scenario-Based Multiple Choice Questions
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Key Terms and Concepts Questions
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Short Answer Questions
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Written Assignment
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Presentation Task
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Role-Playing Activity
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Peer Review Task
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Exercises and Activities Adaptation
Week 15: Course Review
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Week 15: Course Review
02:57 -
LO1: Summarise key concepts covered in the course and their Interrelationships
08:39 -
LO2: Evaluate real-world Computer Architectures using the learned metrics and techniques
09:54 -
LO3: Apply learned concepts to propose Optimizations for a given processor design problem
09:18 -
Multiple Choice Questions
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True/False Questions
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Scenario-Based Multiple Choice Questions
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Key Terms and Concepts Questions
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Short Answer Questions
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Written Assignment
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Presentation Task
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Role-Playing Activity
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Peer Review Task
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Exercises and Activities Adaptation
Week 16: Final Exam
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Week 16: Final Exam
10:18 -
Multiple Choice Questions
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True/False Questions
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Scenario-Based Multiple Choice Questions
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Key Terms and Concepts Questions
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Short Answer Questions
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Written Assignment
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Presentation Task
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Role-Playing Activity
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Peer Review Task
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Exercises and Activities Adaptation
