Identifying Data 2023/24
Subject (*) Fundamentals of Computers Code 614G01007
Study programme
Grao en Enxeñaría Informática
Descriptors Cycle Period Year Type Credits
Graduate 2nd four-month period
 First Basic training 6
Language
Spanish
Galician
English
Teaching method Face-to-face
Prerequisites
Department Enxeñaría de Computadores
Coordinador
Sanjurjo Amado, Jose Rodrigo
 E-mail
jose.sanjurjo@udc.es
Lecturers
Andión Fernández, José Manuel
Darriba López, Diego
Martin Santamaria, Maria Jose
Padron Gonzalez, Emilio Jose
Rodriguez Osorio, Roberto
Sanjurjo Amado, Jose Rodrigo
Teijeiro Paredes, Diego
 E-mail
jose.manuel.andion@udc.es
diego.darriba@udc.es
maria.martin.santamaria@udc.es
emilio.padron@udc.es
roberto.osorio@udc.es
jose.sanjurjo@udc.es
diego.teijeiro@udc.es
Web http://campusvirtual.udc.gal
General description Esta materia inclúe conceptos básicos sobre os elementos compoñentes, a estrutura e o funcionamento dos computadores.

Study programme competencies
Code Study programme competences
A5 Coñecemento da estrutura, organización, funcionamento e interconexión dos sistemas informáticos, os fundamentos da súa programación e a súa aplicación para a resolución de problemas propios da enxeñaría.
A15 Capacidade de coñecer, comprender e avaliar a estrutura e a arquitectura dos computadores, así como os compoñentes básicos que os conforman.
A31 Capacidade de deseñar e construír sistemas dixitais, incluíndo computadores, sistemas baseados en microprocesador e sistemas de comunicacións.
B1 Capacidade de resolución de problemas
B3 Capacidade de análise e síntese
B7 Preocupación pola calidade
B9 Capacidade para xerar novas ideas (creatividade)
C2 Dominar a expresión e a comprensión de forma oral e escrita dun idioma estranxeiro.
C4 Desenvolverse para o exercicio dunha cidadanía aberta, culta, crítica, comprometida, democrática e solidaria, capaz de analizar a realidade, diagnosticar problemas, formular e implantar solucións baseadas no coñecemento e orientadas ao ben común.
C6 Valorar criticamente o coñecemento, a tecnoloxía e a información dispoñible para resolver os problemas cos que deben enfrontarse.

Learning aims
Learning outcomes Study programme competences
Knowing the basic operation of the functional blocks of a computer (processor, memory, I/O, etc.) A5
A15
 B3
B7
 C2
C4
C6
Knowing how to perform basic designs of components of a computer using digital systems A15
A31
 B1
B3
B7
B9
 C2
C4
C6
Learning how to program a computer at a low level with an assembly language A5
 B1
B9
 C2
C4
C6

Contents
Topic Sub-topic
I. Digital Systems 1. Introduction to Digital Systems.
2. Combinational systems.
2.1. Adders and subtractors.
2.2. Comparators.
2.3. Multiplexors and demultiplexors.
2.4. Encoders, Decoders and Code Converters.
2.5. ALU.
3. Sequential systems.
3.1. Flip-flops RS and D.
3.2. Designing and building synchronous sequential systems.
3.3. Counters.
3.4. Registers.
3.5. Memories.
II. Structure, Organization and operation of the basic functional blocks of a computer 4. Instruction Set Architectures (ISA).
5. The MIPS ISA.
6. Design of a CPU.
6.1. Building the Datapath.
6.2. Designing the Control Unit.
6.3. A Microprogram Control Unit.
6.4. Timing.
7. Exception handling.
8. Input/Output System

Planning
Methodologies / tests Competencies Ordinary class hours Student’s personal work hours Total hours
Problem solving A5 A15 A31 B1 B3 B7 B9 C2 C4 C6 10 17 27
Laboratory practice A5 A15 A31 B1 B3 20 28 48
Guest lecture / keynote speech A5 A15 A31 B7 C2 30 30 60
Objective test A5 A15 A31 B1 B3 B7 B9 C2 C4 C6 3 6 9
 
Personalized attention 6 0 6
 
(*)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.

This metodology is mainly used to both gain and evaluate program competences B1, B3, B7 and B9 in relation to the competences A5, A15 and A31. Furthermore, this sessions isl also worth to assess the adquisition of the transverse competences C4 and C6.

The offer of an English group also helps in the acquisition of the competence C2.
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 and B3 in relation to the competences A5, A15 and A31.

The offer of an English group also helps in the acquisition of the competence C2.
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 competences of this course, namely competences A5, A15 and A31, and are supported by a comprehensive bibliography. English references will help with the competence C2.

The offer of an English group guarantees the acquisition of the competence C2 to all students taking this group.
Objective test At the end of the term, a final exam will assess the part of the syllabus not covered by the previous exams. This exam will evaluate the acquisition of competences A5, A15, A31, B1 and B3, but without neglecting the rest of them, both general (B7 and B9) and transverse (C2, C4 and C6).

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 A5 A15 A31 B1 B3 B7 B9 C2 C4 C6 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, B3, B7 and B9 in relation to competences A5, A15 and A31, also with an eye on the traverse competences C4 and C6.

Obviously, all the written exams will be in English in the English group. This way, the competence C2 is also evaluated. 		30
Laboratory practice A5 A15 A31 B1 B3 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 and B3 in relation to the competences A5, A15 and A31. 30
Objective test A5 A15 A31 B1 B3 B7 B9 C2 C4 C6 A written exam covering the part of the syllabus not covered by the previous exams will be carried out at the end of the term. This exam will mainly assess the competences A5, A15, A31, B1 and B3.

Obviously, student in the English group will be examinated in English, so evaluating the acquisition of the competence C2. 		40
 
Assessment comments
  • To pass the course in the 1st opportunity call, it is mandatory to obtain a final grade (lab sessions + problem solving exams + final objective test) at least a 50% of the maximum possible grade, in addition to having a grade of more than 25% of the total mark in each of the evaluated methodologies (lab sessions, problem solving exams and final objective test).
  • The final objective test for the 2nd opportunity call will cover the complete syllabus and will provide the 70% of the final grade. The grades from the problem solving exams during the course will be discarded. The remaining 30% corresponds to the laboratory practices grade obtained during the course. Students taking advantage of the ahead December call will be evaluated using their  laboratory practices grade from the previous term. The only condition to pass the course in this call is to obtain a final grade, adding this exam grade and the laboratory practices mark, 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 and they can choose the timetable they prefer for the written exams (problem solving).

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
Thomas L. Floyd (2009). Digital Fundamentals (10th Edition). Pearson International Edition
Javier García Zubía (2003). Problemas resueltos de electrónica digital . Thomson
F. García Carballeira, J. Carretero, J.D. García Sánchez y D. Expósito Singh (2015). Problemas resueltos de estructura de computadores (2ª ed.). Paraninfo

Complementary David M. Harris & Sarah L. Harris (2013). Digital Design and Computer Architecture. Morgan Kaufmann Publishers
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
Computer Science Preliminaries/614G01002
Discrete Mathematics/614G01004

Subjects that are recommended to be taken simultaneously
Electronics Technology/614G01005

Subjects that continue the syllabus
Computer Structure/614G01012

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.