Computer Architecture General Description Computer Architecture is an accelerated half-credit semester course requiring AP computer science as a prerequisite. Students study the internal structure of advanced computer systems while applying structured programming techniques learned in APCS. Working in a networked UNIX environment, students develop programs to reinforce basic curriculum objectives. Topics include the hierarchy of modern computer systems from the digital logic level, through the microprogram and assembly language, to operating systems and high level language compilers. Students write programs on various computer systems using Object Oriented C++, but also program in standard C and assembly language. This class carries the same extra grade point value as an AP course.

Primary Texts

• Structured Computer Organization, Third Edition, Andrew S. Tanenbaum, Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1990.
• Object-Oriented Programming in C++, Second Edition, Robert Lafore, The Waite Group Press, 1995.
• The C Programming Language, Second Edition, Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie, Prentice-Hall, 1988.

Course Details

• Educational Goals
• Curriculum Outline

Instructors