15-213 (18-213/15-513): Introduction to Computer Systems (ICS)

The ICS course provides a programmer's view of how computer systems execute programs, store information, and communicate. It enables students to become more effective programmers, especially in dealing with issues of performance, portability and robustness. It also serves as a foundation for courses on compilers, networks, operating systems, and computer architecture, where a deeper understanding of systems-level issues is required. Topics covered include: machine-level code and its generation by optimizing compilers, performance evaluation and optimization, computer arithmetic, memory organization and management, networking technology and protocols, and supporting concurrent computation.

Course Syllabus

Prerequisites: 15-122

What's New?

• Apr 27^st: There is a final review session on May 1 from 6pm-10pm in Rashid.
• Apr 21^st: Please sign up for a final exam time.
• Apr 10^th: The final exams will be given similar to how the midterm exams were. Exam slots will be available from 5/2 -- 5/5. You can now sign up.
• Mar 15^th: You now can access your midterm exam and look at your score. Please read how to access it and how to submit regrade requests here.
• Mar 10^th: Early next week (week of 3/14) we will give you the ability to look at your exam and you will have 7 days to submit your regrade request. Stay tuned for the logistics of how to get access to your exam. Your score will be available by then.
• Feb 25^th: A practice exam is available to take online.
• Feb 22^th: Please register for the midterm..
• Feb 11^th: If you downloaded attacklab before 2/11 1:40pm, read this!.
• Feb 10^th: New office hours posted.
• Jan 30^th: We are experimenting with Piazza.
• Jan 28^th: Walk in tutoring hours now available on Monday and Wednesday.
• Jan 22^nd: Additional Linux boot camp slides have been added to clarify some basics, such as connecting to the shark machines and using the Vim editor for the first time. The full slide deck used at the event is still available from the schedule page, and there are some quick reference sheets on the resources page.
• Jan 12^th: A new FAQ for 15-513 has been added for questions specific to that course number.
• Jan 12^th: Check the schedule page for the slides and video of the first lecture.
• Jan 12^th: We will hold a linux bootcamp Sunday evening, 11/17, 8pm in GHC4401.
• Jan 11^th: If you do NOT have an Autolab account for 213/513 this semester, please add your name to this form. We will update the autolab accounts once a day, so check back in 24 hours.
• Jan 5^th: Course Website being updated, check back soon.

Getting Help

Course Materials

Course Information

Instructors

ECE Course Hub (HH 1112)