CSE 410 is an undergraduate course on computer systems, spanning from processor organization through the operating system. Assignments will be a combination of reading, paper and pencil, and software implementation. We will use, but not master, RISC-V assembler, C, and possibly Python, as well as associated Linux tools. While programming experience is required, no experience with these languages is necessary.

Textbooks

Any edition of Computer Organization and Design, by Hennessy and Patterson, will cover much of the material in the course.

Exams

There will be a mid-term, currently scheduled for February 5 during class. The final is on Monday, March 16, 8:30-10:20 am. The course calendar will be updated if the exams move.

Grades

Policies

Late days

For assignments, there is a 10% penalty for each late day, or portion thereof, up to a maximum of two days late. You will receive a zero for the assignment if it is turned in more than 48 hours late. Also, you get two free late days - two days of lateness with no penalty - to use at your discretion.

Cheating vs. collaboration

Collaboration is a very good thing. On the other hand, cheating is considered a very serious offense and is vigorously prosecuted. Vigorous prosecution requires that you be advised of the cheating policy of the course before the offending act.

For this quarter, the policy is simple: don’t cheat. You know it when you’re doing it. We’ll recognize it when you do it. For example:

  • Never share code or text on the project.
  • Never use someone else’s code or text in your solutions.
  • Never consult project code or text that might be on the Internet.

On the other hand, for this class, you are strongly encouraged to:

  • Share ideas.
  • Explain your code to someone to see if they know why it doesn’t work.
  • Help someone else debug if they’ve run into a wall.

If you obtain help of any kind, always write the name(s) of your sources.

Please read CSE’s Academic Misconduct Policy.

Disability Accomodations

University of Washington Page

Religious Accomodations

University of Washington Policy