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Module

EEE2007 : Computer Systems and Microprocessors (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Nick Coleman
  • Lecturer: Dr Rishad Shafik
  • Owning School: Engineering
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

To improve and extend programming techniques at both high and low level. To intoduce the concepts underlying a microprocessor system and design, test and build such a system.

Outline Of Syllabus

Section 1
Low level C++: structures, functions, pointers, bit manipulation.
Motherboard architecture: CPU, memory, interrupts, DMA, I/O devices, status registers, memory mapping, virtual memory.

Section 2
Microprocessor and microcontroller architecture, and basic system organisation.
Review of assembly language programming.
The bus.
Memory.
I/O controllers.
Digital interfacing: logical design, timing.
Low-level programming of I/O: polling, interrupts, systematic treatment of interrupts.
Design, construction and test of a simple practical microprocessor system.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion117:0017:00Written exam - Revision and completion
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials181:0018:00Tutorial, microprocessors, synchronous online
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion120:0020:00Programming assessment 2
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion120:0020:00Programming assessment 1
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion32:006:00Preparation for Assessment
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials250:3012:30Non-synchronous, recorded lectures
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical63:0018:00PiP - Micro Prac
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical181:0018:00Tutorial, programming, synchronous online
Guided Independent StudySkills practice63:0018:00Preparation for Micro Prac
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study250:3012:30Student time to go through Non-synchronous lectures
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study140:0040:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Underlying theory and its application in practice is taught in the online sessions. This is, however a predominantly practical subject and the substantial laboratory-based component reflects this. The latter requires a considerable amount of quiet reflection and preparation, time for which is allocated under independent study.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Computer assessment1M15Programming Assignment 1
Computer assessment1M15Programming Assignment 2
Practical/lab report2M30Microprocessor Practical - Design, construction, test & programming of microP system.
Computer assessment2M40Written exam
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Although the underlying theory plays an important part, the course is also practical in nature and specification, design and programming skills are being assessed.
Priority has been given to the assessment of these practical skills, with theoretical aspects covered as far as possible with a NUMBAS-based assessment.

Reading Lists

Timetable