Identifying Data 2023/24
Subject (*) Fundamentals of Computers Code 614G02005
Study programme
Grao en Ciencia e Enxeñaría de Datos
Descriptors Cycle Period Year Type Credits
Graduate 1st four-month period
 First Basic training 6
Language
Spanish
Galician
Teaching method Face-to-face
Prerequisites
Department Enxeñaría de Computadores
Coordinador
Sanjurjo Amado, Jose Rodrigo
 E-mail
jose.sanjurjo@udc.es
Lecturers
Amor Lopez, Margarita
Sanjurjo Amado, Jose Rodrigo
 E-mail
margarita.amor@udc.es
jose.sanjurjo@udc.es
Web http://campusvirtual.udc.gal
General description Esta materia pretende dar a coñecer os fundamentos da arquitectura dun computador, o seu funcionamento básico, como é a súa programación en linguaxe ensamblador e como son e como funcionan os subsistemas de memoria e E/S. Ademais se mostrarán a estrutura e compoñentes básicos dun sistema operativo.

Study programme competencies
Code Study programme competences
A10 CE10 - Coñecemento da arquitectura e funcionamento dos computadores, a interconexión dos compoñentes que os forman e o seu software de sistema básico.
B1 CB1 - Que os estudantes demostrasen posuír e comprender coñecementos nunha área de estudo que parte da base da educación secundaria xeral, e adóitase atopar a un nivel que, aínda que se apoia en libros de texto avanzados, inclúe tamén algúns aspectos que implican coñecementos procedentes da vangarda do seu campo de estudo
B5 CB5 - Que os estudantes desenvolvesen aquelas habilidades de aprendizaxe necesarias para emprender estudos posteriores cun alto grao de autonomía
B6 CG1 - Ser capaz de buscar e seleccionar a información útil necesaria para resolver problemas complexos, manexando con soltura as fontes bibliográficas do campo.
C1 CT1 - Utilizar as ferramentas básicas das tecnoloxías da información e as comunicacións (TIC) necesarias para o exercicio da súa profesión e para a aprendizaxe ao longo da súa vida.

Learning aims
Learning outcomes Study programme competences
Coñecer e comprender a estrutura básica dun computador e como representa a información internamente A10
 B1
B5
Coñecer os fundamentos da arquitectura e funcionamento básico dos bloques funcionais dun computador (procesador, memoria, E/S) A10
 B5
Desenvolver as capacidades básicas para programar a baixo nivel un procesador mediante unha linguaxe ensamblador A10
 B5
B6
 C1
Comprender a estrutura e funcionamento dos subsistemas de memoria, E/S e almacenamento externo dun computador A10
 B1
B5
B6
 C1
Coñecer a estrutura e compoñentes básicos dun sistema operativo e saber utilizalo a nivel de usuario A10
 B5
B6
 C1

Contents
Topic Sub-topic
1. Basic computer architecture 1.1 Hierarchy of structural levels
1.2 Brief history of computing
1.3 Von Neumann model
2. Information representation 2.1 Numering systems
2.2 Integer encoding
2.3 Float encoding (IEEE 754)
3. The processor 3.1 Instruction set
3.2 Datapath
3.3 Control unit
4. Memory hierarchy 4.1 Main memory
4.2 Cache memory
4.3 Virtual memory
5. I/O subsystem 5.1 I/O modules
5.2 I/O module addressing
5.3 I/O management
6. System software 6.1 Operating system
6.2 Processes
6.3 Filesystem
7. Storage systems 7.1 Types of storage devices
7.2 RAID (redundant arrays of inexpensive disks)

Planning
Methodologies / tests Competencies Ordinary class hours Student’s personal work hours Total hours
Problem solving A10 B1 B5 B6 10 17 27
Laboratory practice A10 B1 B5 B6 C1 20 28 48
Guest lecture / keynote speech A10 B1 B5 30 30 60
Objective test A10 B1 B5 B6 3 9 12
 
Personalized attention 3 0 3
 
(*)The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students.

Methodologies
Methodologies Description
Problem solving Exercises are proposed to the students to be solved on their own. Then, solutions are discussed at class (problem sessions). Periodic written examinations are carried out to assess student progress, including questions about related theory.

This metodology is mainly used to both gain and evaluate program competences B1, B5, and B6 in relation to the competence A10.
Laboratory practice Lab sessions allow students to consolidate the knowledge they have acquired in lectures and problem sessions. This activity makes it possible to achieve program competences B1, B5, and B6 in relation to the competence A10.

The acquisition of transversal competence C1 will also be taken into account in these sessions.
Guest lecture / keynote speech Lectures about every topic covered by the course's syllabus are the usual starting points for the rest of the activities. The workflow and contents of the lectures are focus on making it easy to acquire all the core and transverse competence of this course, namely competence A10.
Objective test At the end of the term, a final exam will assess the syllabus of this subject. This exam will evaluate the acquisition of competences A10, B1 and B5, but without neglecting the rest of them (B6 and C1).

Personalized attention
Methodologies
Problem solving
Laboratory practice
Description
Personalized attention is essential to guide students in carrying out the proposed exercises and lab practices and lead them to acquire this course's competences. Furthermore, this personalized attention can assess and validate student work. Besides, tutorial attendance is recommended whenever some help is needed.

Part-time Students may choose the lab group that better fits their timetables, even with the possibility of change during the term. Moreover, part-time students with an approved dispensation for non-attendance at classes only need to perform the practices corresponding to the continuous assessment of the subject.

Assessment
Methodologies Competencies Description Qualification
Problem solving A10 B1 B5 B6 Exercises will be proposed to the students to be solved on their own. This personal work will be evaluated by written exams during the term. These exams will assess the competences B1, B5 and B6 in relation to competences A10. 20
Laboratory practice A10 B1 B5 B6 C1 Experimental work done by the students in the lab sessions will also be evaluated. This evaluation is focused to assess the acquisition of the competences B1, B5, B6 and C1 in relation to the competence A10. 20
Objective test A10 B1 B5 B6 A written exam covering the complete syllabus will be carried out at the end of the term. This exam will mainly assess the competences A10, B1, B5 and B6.
 60
 
Assessment comments
  • To pass the course it is mandatory to do the final objective test and to obtain a final grade (lab sessions + midterm exams + final objective test) at least a 50% of the maximum possible grade.
  • The final objective test for the 2nd opportunity call will cover the
    complete syllabus and will provide the 80% of the final grade. The
    grades from the problem solving exams during the course will be
    discarded. The laboratory practices
    grade is the obtaining during the course. Students taking advantage of the ahead
    December call will be evaluated using their  laboratory practices grade
    from the previous term. The condition to pass the course in this
    call is to obtain a final grade, adding this exam grade and the
    laboratory practices grade, equal to or greater than 50% of the maximum possible grade.
  • The commission of fraud in carrying out the tests or evaluation activities will be penalized as stated in the UDC evaluation regulations. Likewise, the UDC Student Disciplinary Regulations will be applicable.
  • Part-time students may choose the lab group that better fits their timetables, even with the possibility of change during the term. Moreover, part-time students with an approved dispensation for non-attendance at classes only need to perform the practices corresponding to the continuous assessment of the subject.

Sources of information
Basic David A. Patterson, John L. Hennessy (2014). Computer organization and design : the hardware/software interface. Morgan Kaufmann Publishers
David M. Harris, Sarah L. Harris (2013). Digital Design and Computer Architecture. 2nd Ed.. Morgan Kaufmann Publishers
F. García Carballeira, J. Carretero, J.D. García Sánchez y D. Expósito Singh (2015). Problemas resueltos de estructura de computadores (2ª ed.). Paraninfo
J. Carretero Pérez, F. García Carballeira, F. Pérez Costoya (2020). Sistemas operativos: una visión aplicada. 3 Ed.. Amazon Fulfillment

Complementary Miles J. Murdocca y Vicent P. Heuring (2002). Principios de arquitectura de computadoras. Prentice Hall


Recommendations
Subjects that it is recommended to have taken before

Subjects that are recommended to be taken simultaneously

Subjects that continue the syllabus
High Performance Computing Infrastructures/614G02015

Other comments
  • We strongly recommend the use and exploitation of the teacher's office hours to get some help or advice about any topic of the course.
  • As collected in the various applicable regulations for university teaching, a gender perspective should be included in this course (non-sexist language will be used, bibliography from both genders will be suggested, participation in class of students of both genders will be encouraged, etc.).

  • Efforts will be made to identify and modify sexist, racist, or xenophobic prejudices and attitudes, and influence will be exerted on the environment to change them and promote values of respect and equality.

  • Situations of discrimination on the basis of gender, gender identity, origin, etc. should be detected, and actions and measures will be proposed to correct them.


(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.