Module: Computer Systems

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Computer Systems
Module Code	CSC1060 (ITS: CA103)
Faculty	Computing	School	Engineering & Computing
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

To instill a basic knowledge of how computers and their peripherals work and to develop this understanding by focusing on the architecture of a particular microprocessor.

Learning Outcomes

1. State the components of a standard computer system (CPU, Motherboard, Memory, Peripheral Bus, etc) and describe their function.
2. Understand computer specifications, and make an informed decision as to what constitutes â€œvalue for moneyâ€.
3. Draw labeled diagrams of standard computer systems and summarise the operation of the system.
4. Understand how various peripherals (e.g. hard disk, DVD drive) work.
5. Understand how the hardware of the Internet works.
6. Understand binary data representations.
7. Understand how computers do simple arithmetic.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	101	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10293	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Monica Ward	Module Teacher	Andrew Mccarren, Denise Freir

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Short Answer Questions	Take Home Exam	10%	Week 2
Loop Quiz	Quiz	15%	Week 3
Short Answer Questions	Take Home Exam	15%	Week 5
Loop Quiz	Quiz	15%	Week 7
Short Answer Questions	Take Home Exam	15%	Week 8
Loop Quiz	Quiz	15%	Week 9
Short Answer Questions	Take Home Exam	15%	Week 10

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Number Systems
The binary system. Hex, Octal. Conversions between number systems. Bits, bytes and words.

Overview of the architecture of a computer
The CPU, Bus and Memory subsystems. Multi-core processors. Looking at a motherboard and identifying the subsystems.

Boolean Logic
Elementary logic AND, OR, NOT and XOR and their application. Karnaugh maps and how to build a seven segment display counter from logic gates using Boolean algebra. Flip-flops and storage of bits.

Basic Computer Arithmetic
Simple binary arithmetic circuits. How Logic implements a half adder and a full adder. Representation of whole numbers, floating-point numbers, alphanumerics and special data on a computer. 2 s complement arithmetic. Multiplication and division. Signed and unsigned arithmetic.

The CPU
ALU, Registers, Status flags.

Memory
The computer memory hierarchy – registers, cache, main memory and the hard disk. The stack.

Major Computer Peripherals
Input/Output. Hard disks, DVD drives and how they work. USB ports – how they work. Connecting to the Internet – elementary data communications.

Understanding Computer specifications.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Stokes: 2006, Inside the Machine: An Illustrated Introduction to Microprocessors and Computer Architecture, No Starch Press,
Tanenbaum: 2005, Structured Computer Organisation, 5, PrenticeHall,
Maxfield and Brown: 2005, The Definitive Guide to how computers do Math, WileyBlackwell,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None