Computer Science 391IB - S-Inside the Box:How Cmps Work

In this course we peel away the layers of abstraction and look at how switches become logic circuits, how logic circuits do math, and how programs really execute. We will wire up some simple examples of logic, then move on to programming an embedded ARM processor in a mix of assembly language and C, interfacing with various I/O devices and sensors, to experience what happens when machine code executes. We will also see the impact of hidden acceleration mechanisms like caches, pipelines, and branch predictors. This course counts as a CS Elective toward the CMPSCI major (BA/BS).

Open to Senior, Junior or Sophmore Computer Science majors only. Pre Req:CMPSCI 220 or 230w/C AN OPTIONAL HONORS COLLOQUIUM IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS COURSE. CS MINORS, APPLICANTS-ON-CONTRACT, AND OTHERS NOT MEETING ELIGIBILITY, OR STUDENTS NEEDING SPECIAL PERMISSION MUST REQUEST OVERRIDES VIA THE ON-LINE FORM: https://www.cs.umass.edu/overrides.