CSE 351: The Hardware/Software Interface
Welcome to CSE 351!
- The most important information throughout the quarter will be found on the Syllabus (course policies), the Course Schedule (course materials and assignment specs), and the Weekly Calendar (this week's course events).
- All announcements for this class are made via the discussion board (NOT email), so make sure you are enrolled on Ed and checking regularly.
- Use the menu bar at the top for navigating to other useful tools and references.
Weekly Calendar (Subscribe)
Asking Questions & Getting Help
It is very important to us that you succeed in CSE 351! Outside of lectures and sections, there are several ways to ask questions or discuss course issues:
- Find a study group! This quarter, all assignments, other than exams, can be completed and submitted in partnerships (labs) or larger groups (reading, homework), allowing you to discuss material, code, and debug together.
- Visit office hours! See the Weekly Calendar for current availability, noting that all office hours this quarter will either be in-person or virtual, but not hybrid.
- Make a public post about course content on the discussion board, where they benefit the whole class. This also allows other students to answer your question so can receive a faster response. This is the best way of asking questions about class-related topics.
- Make a private post to just the course staff on the discussion board with any issues you would prefer to discuss privately or questions that involve solutions or partial solutions for ongoing assignments.
- Request a 1-on-1 using this Google Form (UW login). If you feel like you need extra time, can't make it to office hours, or want to discuss something privately, please feel free to request a 1-on-1 from the staff!
- Send anonymous feedback to the course staff. The instructor will try to address the issue and share it with others only as appropriate, but will not have a way to reply to you without addressing the whole class.
Course Staff & Mini-Bios (click our faces)
Staff Mini-Bio: Naama
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? WHAT WAS YOUR ACADEMIC PATH?
- I grew up near Tel Aviv and moved to Sunnyvale, CA at age ten; I then moved to Redmond, WA right before the start of high school. I was lucky enough to take AP CS classes in high school, and I absolutely loved them. I completed my BS and MS degrees in Computer Science here at UW, and now I'm a summer instructor!
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES, TALENTS, AND SKILLS?
- I love making art in my spare time. I used to paint with acrylics, but now I mostly work digitally in Procreate.
- I also love playing video games both solo and with friends. I'm currently having a great time playing Hades 2!
- I’m bilingual (Hebrew and English, though my English is definitely better than my Hebrew at this point…)
HAVE YOU DONE OR EXPERIENCED ANYTHING REMARKABLE OR MEMORABLE?
- I donated ten inches of my hair in the spring of 2023! It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.
- I got to travel a lot over the years and have been to over ten countries. My favorite travel experience is a science trip to Iceland I took while in high school.
WHAT COMMITMENTS WILL BE CONSUMING YOUR CYCLES THIS QUARTER?
- Teaching this course and making sure everything goes smoothly!
- Working on my research project! Ask me about computer architecture simulation and CS education.
- Preparing some application materials for teaching positions :)
- I grew up near Tel Aviv and moved to Sunnyvale, CA at age ten; I then moved to Redmond, WA right before the start of high school. I was lucky enough to take AP CS classes in high school, and I absolutely loved them. I completed my BS and MS degrees in Computer Science here at UW, and now I'm a summer instructor!
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES, TALENTS, AND SKILLS?
- I love making art in my spare time. I used to paint with acrylics, but now I mostly work digitally in Procreate.
- I also love playing video games both solo and with friends. I'm currently having a great time playing Hades 2!
- I’m bilingual (Hebrew and English, though my English is definitely better than my Hebrew at this point…)
HAVE YOU DONE OR EXPERIENCED ANYTHING REMARKABLE OR MEMORABLE?
- I donated ten inches of my hair in the spring of 2023! It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.
- I got to travel a lot over the years and have been to over ten countries. My favorite travel experience is a science trip to Iceland I took while in high school.
WHAT COMMITMENTS WILL BE CONSUMING YOUR CYCLES THIS QUARTER?
- Teaching this course and making sure everything goes smoothly!
- Working on my research project! Ask me about computer architecture simulation and CS education.
- Preparing some application materials for teaching positions :)
Naama Amiel
(she/her)
namiel@uw
Lecture A
Staff Mini-Bio: Anthony
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? WHAT WAS YOUR ACADEMIC PATH?
I was born in Renton, Washington, and I've lived in Western Washington all my life. I graduated from Liberty High School. Currently, I'm a third year here.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES, TALENTS, AND SKILLS?
You can find me at Badminton Club every week! I also enjoy creative writing, game design, and raising chickens back home.
HAVE YOU DONE OR EXPERIENCED ANYTHING REMARKABLE OR MEMORABLE?
At the end of my freshman year of college, I accidentally pulled an all-nighter and decided to see how long I could stay awake. I made it just over 40 hours. Things stated getting a little weird towards the end. Great experience; wouldn't recommend.
WHAT COMMITMENTS WILL BE CONSUMING YOUR CYCLES THIS QUARTER?
In addition to TAing this class, I'm doing research in quantum computing and stressing about the BS/MS program.
I was born in Renton, Washington, and I've lived in Western Washington all my life. I graduated from Liberty High School. Currently, I'm a third year here.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES, TALENTS, AND SKILLS?
You can find me at Badminton Club every week! I also enjoy creative writing, game design, and raising chickens back home.
HAVE YOU DONE OR EXPERIENCED ANYTHING REMARKABLE OR MEMORABLE?
At the end of my freshman year of college, I accidentally pulled an all-nighter and decided to see how long I could stay awake. I made it just over 40 hours. Things stated getting a little weird towards the end. Great experience; wouldn't recommend.
WHAT COMMITMENTS WILL BE CONSUMING YOUR CYCLES THIS QUARTER?
In addition to TAing this class, I'm doing research in quantum computing and stressing about the BS/MS program.
Anthony Mangus
(he/him)
aamangus@cs
Section AA
Staff Mini-Bio: Eric
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? WHAT WAS YOUR ACADEMIC PATH?
Hi, I'm Eric and I'm from Saratoga California (or more broadly, the Bay Area). I am a rising Junior studying computer engineering.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES, TALENTS, AND SKILLS?
Outside of school, I race triathlon competatively as am the Vice President of training for the UW Husky Triathlon Club. I specialize in long-course and mid-distance triathlon and spend up to 25 hours a week training to be faster each race I do. Additionally, I'm really into art and lately, I have been dabbling in a lot of digital art since physical artistic mediums are more limited while I'm away from home.
HAVE YOU DONE OR EXPERIENCED ANYTHING REMARKABLE OR MEMORABLE?
I raced a full IRONMAN, which consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 mile run, when I was 18, making me one of the youngest finishers at the event I was competing in. I'm also really proud of placing 2nd overall in the collegiate division at our 2026 Pacific NorthWest collegiate conference triathlon race.
WHAT COMMITMENTS WILL BE CONSUMING YOUR CYCLES THIS QUARTER?
As mentioned before, I will be spending many hours triathlon training for upcoming big races and will also be spending a lot of time working on personal engineering projects.
Hi, I'm Eric and I'm from Saratoga California (or more broadly, the Bay Area). I am a rising Junior studying computer engineering.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES, TALENTS, AND SKILLS?
Outside of school, I race triathlon competatively as am the Vice President of training for the UW Husky Triathlon Club. I specialize in long-course and mid-distance triathlon and spend up to 25 hours a week training to be faster each race I do. Additionally, I'm really into art and lately, I have been dabbling in a lot of digital art since physical artistic mediums are more limited while I'm away from home.
HAVE YOU DONE OR EXPERIENCED ANYTHING REMARKABLE OR MEMORABLE?
I raced a full IRONMAN, which consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 mile run, when I was 18, making me one of the youngest finishers at the event I was competing in. I'm also really proud of placing 2nd overall in the collegiate division at our 2026 Pacific NorthWest collegiate conference triathlon race.
WHAT COMMITMENTS WILL BE CONSUMING YOUR CYCLES THIS QUARTER?
As mentioned before, I will be spending many hours triathlon training for upcoming big races and will also be spending a lot of time working on personal engineering projects.
Eric Shi
(he/him)
eshi1685@uw
Section AA
Staff Mini-Bio: Mendel
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? WHAT WAS YOUR ACADEMIC PATH?
I grew up in an Orthodox Jewish community (Chabad) in Miami, FL. I attended a Yeshiva-based school system until age 15, then transferred to an online high school to complete my diploma. After high school, I spent several years serving in the army, working in e-commerce, and running my own business. I began community college at 26 and transferred to UW in Autumn 2024.
MINI MAP
🌴 Miami → 🩺 Army Medic → ☕ Business → 💻 UW CSE
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES, TALENTS, AND SKILLS?
I completed a half-Ironman this past summer and plan to complete a full Ironman in 2026. I completed the Seattle Marathon in December. I am a strong runner, a competent cyclist, and an improving swimmer. I also enjoy hiking and camping when time allows.
CURRENT CHARACTER STATS
HAVE YOU DONE OR EXPERIENCED ANYTHING MEMORABLE?
I served in the army for three years as a combat medic. During that time, I participated in multiple medical rescue missions during the Syrian civil war. I was released with the rank of first sergeant in 2018.
WHAT COMMITMENTS WILL BE CONSUMING MY CYCLES THIS QUARTER?
ASK ME ABOUT
I grew up in an Orthodox Jewish community (Chabad) in Miami, FL. I attended a Yeshiva-based school system until age 15, then transferred to an online high school to complete my diploma. After high school, I spent several years serving in the army, working in e-commerce, and running my own business. I began community college at 26 and transferred to UW in Autumn 2024.
MINI MAP
🌴 Miami → 🩺 Army Medic → ☕ Business → 💻 UW CSE
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES, TALENTS, AND SKILLS?
I completed a half-Ironman this past summer and plan to complete a full Ironman in 2026. I completed the Seattle Marathon in December. I am a strong runner, a competent cyclist, and an improving swimmer. I also enjoy hiking and camping when time allows.
CURRENT CHARACTER STATS
Endurance ██████████ Debugging █████████░ Running █████████░ Cycling ████████░░ Swimming ██████░░░░ Coffee Need ██████████
HAVE YOU DONE OR EXPERIENCED ANYTHING MEMORABLE?
I served in the army for three years as a combat medic. During that time, I participated in multiple medical rescue missions during the Syrian civil war. I was released with the rank of first sergeant in 2018.
WHAT COMMITMENTS WILL BE CONSUMING MY CYCLES THIS QUARTER?
- TA — CSE 351
- Work
- Backend Engineer @ Digital Aid Seattle
- SWE Intern @ Hearvana
- Special projects
- Community Homes technology development
- Accessibility R&D
ASK ME ABOUT
- Systems programming in C/C++
- Interning at a startup (Hearvana)
- Non-profit work (Digital Aid Seattle)
- Accessibility-driven system design
- Non-traditional paths into computer science
- Endurance training
Mendel Carroll
(he/him)
mcarro5@cs
Section N/A
Staff Mini-Bio: Savit
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? WHAT WAS YOUR ACADEMIC PATH?
- I was born in Bellevue, Washington and have lived there my whole life. I graduated a little over a year ago from Issaquah High School and I am going to start my second year at UW after this summer.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES, TALENTS, AND SKILLS?
- I like hiking with friends. I also enjoy pleying soccer and watching all sorts of sports. I also like playing video games.
HAVE YOU DONE OR EXPERIENCED ANYTHING REMARKABLE OR MEMORABLE?
- I love to travel and experience different cultures. I would say that my favorite country to visit would either be India or Jamaica.
WHAT COMMITMENTS WILL BE CONSUMING YOUR CYCLES THIS QUARTER?
- Other than being a TA for this class, I will also be doing some summer research where I will be working on using agents to convert legacy C code into modern rust code.
- I was born in Bellevue, Washington and have lived there my whole life. I graduated a little over a year ago from Issaquah High School and I am going to start my second year at UW after this summer.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES, TALENTS, AND SKILLS?
- I like hiking with friends. I also enjoy pleying soccer and watching all sorts of sports. I also like playing video games.
HAVE YOU DONE OR EXPERIENCED ANYTHING REMARKABLE OR MEMORABLE?
- I love to travel and experience different cultures. I would say that my favorite country to visit would either be India or Jamaica.
WHAT COMMITMENTS WILL BE CONSUMING YOUR CYCLES THIS QUARTER?
- Other than being a TA for this class, I will also be doing some summer research where I will be working on using agents to convert legacy C code into modern rust code.
Savit Pawar
(he/him)
savitp@uw
Section AB
Staff Mini-Bio: Sierra
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? WHAT WAS YOUR ACADEMIC PATH?
- I've lived in Bellevue, WA my whole life! My family from Canada though so I have spent a decent amount of time up there. I am double majoring in Computer Science and Drama: Performance and I just finished my 3rd year at UW!
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES, TALENTS, AND SKILLS?
- I am a huge theatre person and I love acting in short films and the occasional play. When not acting in fancy things, I act as the D&D characters I play. I am also one of the co-chairs for Q++, one of the Allen School affinity RSOs which you all should join during the school year when it's operational! I also do a lot of arts and crafts, mostly crochet and sewing. I write snail mail letters to my friends and have been exploring the world of recycling and hand making paper at home. I have also been watching One Piece for the last couple of years and am nearly caught up!
HAVE YOU DONE OR EXPERIENCED ANYTHING REMARKABLE OR MEMORABLE?
- A few years ago I hiked to Camp Muir with my family, which is the highest point on Mr. Rainier you can climb to without a permit. I am not an outdoorsy person so it was quite remarkable for me that I made it.
WHAT COMMITMENTS WILL BE CONSUMING YOUR CYCLES THIS QUARTER?
- This is my first quarter as a TA, so most of my time will be figuring out the ropes of transferring knowledge to y'all. Other than that I will likely be binge watching One Piece and frolicking though the meadows of life.
- I've lived in Bellevue, WA my whole life! My family from Canada though so I have spent a decent amount of time up there. I am double majoring in Computer Science and Drama: Performance and I just finished my 3rd year at UW!
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES, TALENTS, AND SKILLS?
- I am a huge theatre person and I love acting in short films and the occasional play. When not acting in fancy things, I act as the D&D characters I play. I am also one of the co-chairs for Q++, one of the Allen School affinity RSOs which you all should join during the school year when it's operational! I also do a lot of arts and crafts, mostly crochet and sewing. I write snail mail letters to my friends and have been exploring the world of recycling and hand making paper at home. I have also been watching One Piece for the last couple of years and am nearly caught up!
HAVE YOU DONE OR EXPERIENCED ANYTHING REMARKABLE OR MEMORABLE?
- A few years ago I hiked to Camp Muir with my family, which is the highest point on Mr. Rainier you can climb to without a permit. I am not an outdoorsy person so it was quite remarkable for me that I made it.
WHAT COMMITMENTS WILL BE CONSUMING YOUR CYCLES THIS QUARTER?
- This is my first quarter as a TA, so most of my time will be figuring out the ropes of transferring knowledge to y'all. Other than that I will likely be binge watching One Piece and frolicking though the meadows of life.
Sierra Yee
(she/her)
siyee@cs
Section AB
Acknowledgements
Many of the materials posted here were shared and refined by many staff members in previous offerings of CSE 351. This version of the course was significantly influenced by Gaetano Boriello, Ruth Anderson, Justin Hsia, and Mara Kirdani-Ryan.
This website is derived from simple-courseweb-template, maintained by the CSE Lab and originally written by Xi Wang. The calendaring code was originally written by Adam Blank in 2017 for their common-course project and updated by Aaron Johnston in 19su.
Though we cannot list them all, we are also extremely grateful for the contributions of countless TAs and students who have given feedback and improved CSE 351 from quarter to quarter.