Course Title: Computer Organization

Course Code: CS 123

Credit Value: 3 Credits

Contact Hours

• Lectures: 2 hours/week

• Practical/Laboratories: 2 hours/week

Duration: 15 Weeks (One Semester)

Prerequisite: Introduction to Computer Systems; Basic Programming

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course introduces the internal structure and operation of computer systems, focusing on how hardware components execute software instructions. Students study data representation, digital logic, CPU architecture, instruction execution, memory hierarchy, input/output organization, and system performance.

The course emphasizes the relationship between hardware organization and software behavior, providing students with a foundation for advanced studies in operating systems, computer architecture, embedded systems, and systems programming. Laboratory activities and simulations provide practical exposure to low-level computer operations.

2. COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Explain how data is represented inside a computer.

2. Describe the structure and operation of a CPU.

3. Understand instruction formats and the instruction execution cycle.

4. Explain memory organization and hierarchy.

5. Describe input/output mechanisms and system buses.

6. Analyze factors affecting computer performance.

7. Relate hardware organization to software execution and efficiency.

3. LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

• Explain digital logic and binary data representation.

• Perform binary arithmetic and data conversions.

• Describe CPU components and instruction execution.

• Explain basic instruction set architecture concepts.

• Understand memory hierarchy and cache organization.

• Describe input/output operations and system buses.

• Explain interrupt mechanisms and storage organization.

• Analyze computer performance factors.

• Apply computer organization concepts to programming and system design.