CS 201: Computer Systems Programming

Computer Science Department
Portland State University
  MW 2 - 3:50 PM -- NH 222
Fall 2009

Instructor:      Dr. Su-Hui Chiang (suhui at cs.pdx.edu)
Office hours:    MW 12:45-1:45 PM
Office:             FAB 120-09 		TA:                 Kathryn Mohror (kathryn at cs.pdx.edu)
Office hours:   Tuesday 10:00-11:30AM & Thursday 3:30-5:00PM      
Location:         The CS Lounge (Fishbowl) Outside FAB 120

Hot links: Schedule & Slides & HW   Submission Instruction   Help

Required Text Book

Overview

 Course description: Introduction to computer systems from a software perspective, including systems programming using C and assembly language, basic computer organization, representation of data, machine instruction sets and assembly programming, relationship between C code and assembly code, C pointers and structures and their machine-level representation, linking & loading, and program debugging. See here for official description of course objectives.

Prerequisites: Starting this term, there is only one prerequisite: CS 162.

Class mailing list: cs201-list@cs.pdx.edu for discussions and information about the course. See here for the subscription instructions.

Course work: There will be 4 - 5 assignments, two exams, and numerous quizzes. All programming assignments will be done using the C programming language and your programs must compile and run on our CS Linux Lab machines (linuxlab.cs.pdx.edu). You must work alone on all assignments. Although the homework does not include B&O practice problems, it is important that you work on them in preparing the exams. Selected B&O problems will be shown in the schedule page.

Computer accounts: Check Help for links to the information about computers and computer accounts.

Grade breakdown:
          35% assignments
          30% midterm exam
          35% final exam

Quizzes may be used to offset points missed on exams. Quizzes may not be made up.

Class Policies

Minimum grade requirement policy. In order to pass this course, a score of 30% or higher must be earned on every assignment and exam. If this condition is not met, you will be given a grade of F for the course. No exceptions.

Late assignments will NOT be accepted. Assignment submission emails are due 10 minutes before the class begins; assignment hardcopies are due at the beginning of the class.

Cheating will not be tolerated. It is considered cheating if you copy part or entire work created by others or you supply part or entire of your work to other students. Punishment for cheating is severe -- it results in a zero mark for that assignment or exam in question plus a letter to the CS Department Chair describing the incident. Stricter penalties may apply for repeat offenders.

Subscription to the class emailing list is required. Do it within the first week of this term.

Requests for regrading must be done within one week of the time the graded work is made available for pickup. Note that a request for regrading may result in re-evaluation of the entire exam or project work and your total grade may increase or decrease as a result.

Makeup exams will not be given except in case of medical or family emergencies. If an emergency arises and you miss an exam, contact the instructor as soon as you can to arrange for a makeup exam. Students who take a makeup exam will use the PSU Test Proctor Service and pay a fee for their service. Note that travel (even work-related travel) is not considered an emergency.