15-213/15-513/14-513 Introduction to Computer Systems: Assignments

There will be weekly written assignments, starting in the second week of classes. Each written assignment consists of 1-3 questions that require students to write single paragraph answers. They are released and collected via Canvas.

Written assignments are always due at 11:59pm (Pittsburgh time). No late submissions are accepted. Canvas will generally accept only one submission.

Written assignments are graded by your peers: three other students will read what you wrote and provide short, constructive feedback and a score (1-10).

Each assignment is worth 15 points, total. You receive the maximum of your peers’ scores, plus five points for completing the peer reviews you are assigned.

There will be 12 written assignments scores in all, and we will drop your two lowest scores. The 10 remaining are each worth 2% of your course grade.

Schedule

Written Topic Out Due Peer Review

W1 Bits, Bytes, Integers Sep 06 Sep 13 Sep 20
W2 Machine Programming (Basics, Control) Sep 13 Sep 20 Sep 27
W3 Machine Programming (Procedures, Data) Sep 20 Sep 27 Oct 04
W4 Machine Programming (Data, Advanced), Memory Hierarchy Sep 27 Oct 04 Oct 11
W5 Midterm Written / Cache, Design, Debugging Oct 04 Oct 11
W6 Virtual Memory Oct 11 Oct 25 Nov 01
(Oct 16-20: Fall Break)
W7 Dynamic Memory Allocation Oct 25 Nov 01 Nov 08
W8 Code Optimization, Linking, DMA Nov 01 Nov 08 Nov 15
W9 Exceptional Control Flow Nov 08 Nov 15 Nov 21
W10 System Level I/O, Network Programming Nov 15 Nov 29 Nov 30
W11 Concurrent Programming, Synchronization Nov 29 Dec 06

We will provide you with a model solution and a grading rubric after an assignment is due, to guide you in your peer reviews. This two-part (writing and evaluating) sequence has been shown to improve student learning. As your peers are grading these anonymously, you are not required to include your name either in your submission or feedback. If you disagree with the feedback from your peers, you can make a private post on Piazza within 7 days, as per any other regrades in the course.

If the feedback you received is offensive or otherwise not in support of a welcoming and inclusive climate, please email your Professor.