IDENTIFYING DATA 2017_18
Subject (*) FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTERS Code 17204002
Study programme
Bachelor's Degree in Electronic and Automation Engineering (2010)
Cycle 1st
Descriptors Credits Type Year Period
6 Basic Course First 1Q
2Q
Language
Català
Department Electronic, Electric and Automatic Engineering
Computer Engineering and Mathematics
Coordinator
MILLAN MARCO, PEDRO
E-mail montse.garcia@urv.cat
enrique.canto@urv.cat
pere.millan@urv.cat
susana.alvarez@urv.cat
ernest.gil@urv.cat
esteban.delcastillo@urv.cat
cesar.mauri@urv.cat
gabriel.plana@urv.cat
simeo.reig@urv.cat
Lecturers
GARCÍA FAMOSO, MARÍA MONTSERRAT
CANTÓ NAVARRO, ENRIQUE FERNANDO
MILLAN MARCO, PEDRO
ALVAREZ FERNANDEZ, SUSANA MARIA
GIL DOLCET, ERNEST
DEL CASTILLO PÉREZ, ESTEBAN
MAURI LOBA, CESAR FRANCESC
PLANA GAVALDÀ, GABRIEL
REIG PELLEJA, SIMEON
Web
General description and relevant information Structure, organization, logical design, operation and interconnection of computers; fundamentals and performance of assembly language; Operation and use of operating systems.

Competences
Type A Code Competences Specific
 FB3 Have basic knowledge on the use and programming of computers, operating systems, databases and IT programmes of application in engineering.
Type B Code Competences Transversal
 B2 Have knowledge in basic and technological subjects, which gives them the ability to learn new methods and theories, and the versatility to adapt to new situations.
Type C Code Competences Nuclear
 C2 Be advanced users of the information and communication technologies

Learning outcomes
Type A Code Learning outcomes
 FB3 Understand the correspondence between the fundamental elements of high level languages and the elements of machine language that support them.
Understand the functioning of an operating system as a resource manager in the IT system.
Use the resources provided by an operating system from the user interface.
Type B Code Learning outcomes
 B2 Know the role of IT in the fields of industry and socioeconomics.
Know the different components of an IT system composed of machines and programmes.
Analyse combinational logic circuits.
Understand the functioning, relationships and level structure of a computer.
Analyse sequential logic circuits.
Synthesise basic finite-state machines.
Understand the organisation and functioning of Von Neumann architecture systems: processor, memory, and input/output.
Understand the functioning of the digital elements that constitute a processor (ALU, records, address calculation, sequencer, etc.) and understand how they are involved in the execution of programmes written in machine language.
Understand and evaluate the essential factors that affect the execution time of a programme.
Type C Code Learning outcomes
 C2 Understand basic computer hardware.
Understand the operating system as a hardware manager and the software as a working tool.
Use software for on-line communication: interactive tools (web, moodle, blogs, etc.), e-mail, forums, chat rooms, video conferences, collaborative work tools, etc.

Contents
Topic Sub-topic
Elements of a computer system
Computer organization
Coding and information processing
Logic design Analysis of combinational logic-circuits.
Analysis of sequential logic-circuits.
Synthesis of basic finite-state machines.
Fundamentals of machine language
Basic operating system use

Planning
Methodologies  ::  Tests
  Competences (*) Class hours
Hours outside the classroom
(**) Total hours
Introductory activities
1 0 1
Lecture
FB3
B2
C2
29 25 54
Problem solving, classroom exercises
FB3
B2
15 15 30
Laboratory practicals
FB3
B2
C2
26 29 55
Personal tuition
FB3
B2
1 0 1
 
Objective multiple-choice tests
FB3
B2
C2
1 2 3
Practical tests
FB3
B2
C2
1 2 3
Extended-answer tests
FB3
B2
1 2 3
 
(*) On e-learning, hours of virtual attendance of the teacher.
(**) The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students.

Methodologies
Methodologies
  Description
Introductory activities Explanation of the objectives, content and assessment process.
Lecture Explanation of theoretical concepts using slides and blackboard. The teacher will ask questions to the students to develop their own solutions to the issues raised.
Problem solving, classroom exercises During the course, the teacher will present exercises related to the theoretical context presented in lectures.
Laboratory practicals Application of theoretical knowledge to specific situations, using computers, simulators and other practical elements of the laboratories.
Personal tuition Teachers will be available during class and office hours, to meet students and answer any questions that were raised during the development of the subject.

Personalized attention
Description
Students can attend in person to the office of professor in office hours to ask him any questions related to the theoretical explanation and practical implementation issues or developments and practical difficulties in the learning process.

Assessment
Methodologies Competences Description Weight        
Laboratory practicals
FB3
B2
C2
Laboratories. Resolution, in group, of the laboratory practice: preliminary analysis, design, implementation, and documentation. In some practices: individual oral defense (interview).
- Logic Laboratories (15%)
- ARM practice (15%)
30%
Practical tests
FB3
B2
C2
Laboratories. Resolution, in group, of the laboratory practice: preliminary analysis, design, implementation, and documentation. In some practices: individual oral defense (interview).
- Logic Laboratories (15%)
- ARM practice (15%)
30%
Objective multiple-choice tests
FB3
B2
C2
Several objective tests of short questions and / or multiple choice.
- Initial Test (10%)
- Logic Test (25%)
- Final Test (25%)
60%
Extended-answer tests
FB3
B2
Problem of translating high-level to assembler code.
- ARM Problem (10%)
10%
Others  

You can get up to 1 point added to the final grade, doing optional activities that arise in various laboratories.

+1 punt
 
Other comments and second exam session

The assessment elements of the course are 6: initial test, logic test, logic labs, ARM practice, final test, and ARM problem.

Students must obtain a minimum score in each of the 6 elements of assessment in order to pass the course. If any element of assessment does not reach the minimum, the final mark of the course shall not exceed 4.5. The minimum score is the same in the 1st and in the 2nd examination period.

The evaluation will be continuously during 1st examination period.

In the 2nd period the assessment will consist of three tests (initial, logic, final), a problem (ARM) and ARM practice (logical laboratories can not be recovered in 2nd examination period). Students must examine the elements of evaluation that have not obtained the minimum score in 1st call. If submitted in 2nd period, the note will be that of the 2nd period (whether it would be upper or lower than 1st call).

The grades from the previous course that exceed the minimum for making average are kept.

In conducting written tests, there are not allowed to use any electronic devices (calculators, computers, tablets, phones, watches, etc.).

If we detect any copy in any activity evaluation, the grade of this examination period will be 0, and the student should take again all the assessment elements in the next examination period (we will not keep any of the previous grades).


Sources of information

Basic Professors/es Fonaments Computadors, Transparències Fonaments de Computadors, 2017, ETSE-URV (Tarragona)
William Stallings, Computer Organization and Architecture, 10th ed (2015), Prentice Hall
Thomas L. Floyd, Fundamentos de Sistemas Digitales, 11ª ed (2016), Pearson Prentice-Hall
Javier García Zubía, Problemas Resueltos de Electrónica Digital, 2003, Thomson

Complementary William Hohl, ARM assembly language : fundamentals and techniques, 2nd ed (2014), CRC Press
Mano M. Morris, Charles R. Kime, Fundamentos de diseño lógico y de computadores, 2005, Pearson Prentice-Hall
John P. Hayes, Introducción al diseño lógico digital , 1996, Addison-Wesley
Steve Furber, ARM System-on-Chip Architecture, 2nd ed (2000), Addison-Wesley Professional

Recommendations

Subjects that continue the syllabus
APPLICATIONS WITH MICROCONTROLLERS/17204205
EMBEDDED SYSTEMS/17204206


Subjects that it is recommended to have taken before
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF PROGRAMMING/17234001
 
Other comments
It is very important to work every day. For a more accurate, detailed and up to date information, visit frequently the virtual campus (Moodle).
(*)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.