For Undergrads

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  • Computer Architecture
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The Computer Architecture Track

In the Computer Architecture track, students concentrate on the hardware that forms the basis for computation. Architecture is concerned with maximizing overall system performance, often in the context of minimizing cost and power consumption. The emphasis in the Department of Computer Science is on how software interacts with low-level hardware features to achieve these goals. This track is a natural choice for a double-major in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and is also suitable for combination with any science minor or double major involving computation. It is excellent preparation for graduate studies in the field as well as careers involving performance-critical and embedded systems, such as aerospace, medical instrumentation, telecommunication, computational science, and supercomputing.

Requirements

Note that for students graduating by May 2012, Operating Systems (377) is a required course.

• Four required courses:
  • 311 Algorithms
  • 320 Software Engineering
  • 535 Architecture (or 391IB)
    
  • 635 Modern Architecture
    
• Any two courses from the following:
  • 377 Operating Systems
  • 401 Formal Language Theory
    
  • 410 Compilers
  • 445 Information Systems
  • 453 Computer Networks
  • 520 SE-Synthesis I
  • 530 Programming Languages
  • 610 Compiler Techniques
  • 653 Adv. Computer Networks
  • 677 Adv. Operating Systems
  • 499Y or 496 (see note)
  • ECE 353 Digital Logic I
  • ECE 354 Digital Logic II
  • ECE 558 Architecture
• Two CS electives numbered 300 or above (not including 305). One of which is specifically not on the list above.
  
• Note: all course numbers refer to CS courses unless designated otherwise. Only 3 credits of 499Y count towards degree. All courses x90–x99 require approval towards degree.