SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
Course Change Form
Oct 29th, 2006
Existing Course Number/Title: ENSC 150-3 Introduction to Computer Design
Please check appropriate revision(s) being recommended:
Course Number: Credit Hour: Title:
Description: X Prerequisite: X Vector:
State # of hours for:
Lect.(3) Sem (0 ) Tut (1 ) Lab (0 )
FROM:
Digital design concepts are presented in such a way that students will learn how logic blocks can be designed and employed to construct a simple computer. Topics covered include: basic Von Neumann computer architecture; an introduction to assembly language; combinational logic design; and sequential logic design. An interactive logic simulation environment will be provided for assignments. Assembly language programming is introduced. Quantitative.
Prerequisite: This course is identical to CMPT 150 and students cannot take both courses for credit. Students who have taken CMPT 290 cannot take this course for further credit.
TO:
Digital design concepts are presented in such a way that students will learn how basic logic blocks of a simple computer are designed. Topics covered include: system of binary numbers, Boolean algebra, combinational logic design, sequential logic design, and basic Von Neumann computer architecture. Quantitative.
Prerequisite: Students with credits for CMPT 150 or CMPT 290 cannot take this course for further credit. CMPT 150 can be substituted for this course.
RATIONALE:
Eliminating “Assembly language programming” from course contents: Assembly language programming and digital logic design are two separate and rather independent subjects. Including both subjects in one 3-credit-hour (and first year) course results in a too heavy course load for the students and does not allow enough time to be dedicated to the teaching and understanding of either subject. Assembly language programming is proposed to be covered in ENSC-151, where it fits better.
Eliminating the sentence “An interactive logic simulation environment will be provided for assignments.”: Tools provided for assignments depend on the instructor of the course. Computing seems to use such a tool, but ENS has not used any computer design tools in the last several years of offering the course.
Adding the sentence “Credits for CMPT 150 count towards credits for this course.” Instead of “This course is identical to CMPT 150”: Assuming that Computing will continue offering their course with the current calendar description, the subjects covered in ENSC-150 will be covered in CMPT-150, but not all subjects of CMPT-150 (namely Assembly programming) will be covered in ENSC-150. It should be noted that Computing has expressed interest in considering the same changes.
Effective date: 07-08 Calendar