CS1CA: Computer Systems Architecture

Module code: CS1CA

Module provider: Computer Science; School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: 4

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Hong Wei , email: h.wei@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module introduces students the fundamentals of computer systems architecture. It aims to establish a foundation for computer science students with the main features of modern computers in term of binary representation, machine language, processor, memory hierarchy and storage systems, from which students can appreciate the joint force of hardware and software interaction in computer operations. It sets up a base for their further studies in the discipline.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Use binary code to represent text, integer, and real number, and conduct arithmetic and logic operations with binary numbers
2. Describe the structure of computer systems and the interaction between software and hardware, and articulate data manipulation in computer system operations
3. Establish core concepts of computer systems architecture, in terms of instruction set, processor, memory hierarchy and storage
4. Evaluate computer performance by using benchmark suites

Module content

The module covers the following topics:

• Computer systems and hardware/software interaction
• Binary representation and arithmetic/logic operations of binary numbers
• Data manipulation inside computers: main computer components and instructions in program execution 
• Instructions: language of computers
• Processor: inside the central processing unit (CPU) with pipelined architecture
• Memory hierarchy: cache, main memory, and virtual memory
• Storage systems

In the topics above, computer systems’ performance is discussed.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is delivered via lectures, tutorials and lab sessions throughout the first semester.

Study hours

At least 45 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.