This Course Guide has been taken from the most recent presentation of the course. It would be useful for reference purposes but please note that there may be updates for the following presentation.
ELEC S224
Computers and Processors
Welcome to ELEC S224 Computers and Processors.
This is a ten-credit, middle-level course. It focuses on the functions of the key hardware and software components of computers and how they carry out their functions. By studying this course, you will be able to understand both the hardware and software functions of computers in various forms of computer systems. The study units, readings, assignments and self-tests in this course will help you master the topics over a period of 32 weeks.
Purpose of this Course Guide
As this course might be the first course that you have taken through Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU), you might not be aware of both the study skills required for distance learning and how HKMU courses are organized. It is recommended, therefore, that you read this Course Guide thoroughly before looking at the study units. If you have taken HKMU courses before, you should be well aware of both the study skills required for distance learning and how HKMU courses are organized. Whichever group you belong to, though, it is recommended that you read this Course Guide thoroughly before looking at the study units.
This Course Guide tells you briefly what the course is about and how you can work your way through the material. It suggests the amount of time you will need to spend to complete the course and the units, and it gives you a general idea of when your assignments are due.
In distance learning, as practised by HKMU, the study units are prepared and coordinated in the distance mode of education by your university professor. You do not need to attend lectures face-to-face with the lecturer or professor. This is one of the great advantages of distance learning: you can read and work through specially designed study material at your own pace at times and places that suit you best.
Think of your study units as reading your lectures instead of hearing them from a lecturer. In the same way that a lecturer might set you some reading to do, the study unit will tell you when to read relevant material. Basically, in the distance mode of education, the course materials replace your live lecture notes. However, study units still require you to think for yourself and to practise key skills. In the same way that a lecturer might give you an in-class exercise, your study units will have activities for you to do at appropriate points. You will also find self-test questions in each unit. These activities and self-tests give you practice in the skills that you need to achieve the objectives of the course and to complete assignments and pass the final examination.
Course aims
The overall aims of ELEC S224 Computers and Processors are to:
Course learning outcomes
Upon completion of ELEC S224 Computers and Processors, you should be able to:
Course organization
The following chart gives a general overview of the course structure.
Unit | Title | Weeks | Assessment activity |
1 | Introduction to computer architecture | 4 | Assignment 1 |
2 | Intercommunication of the hardware components of computer-based systems | 3 | |
3 | Data representation and processing in computers | 3 | |
4 | Software programs and hardware operations | 4 | Assignment 2 |
5 | The roles of operating systems in personal computers | 3 | |
6 | Embedded computer systems | 3 | Assignment 3 |
7 | Flowcharts and functional flow block diagrams | 3 | |
8 | Programming in assembly language | 4 | Assignment 4 |
9 | Communications about computers and processors | 3 | |
Revision | 2 |
| |
Total | 32 |
| |
In addition to this Course Guide, please ensure that you have the following important course components from HKMU:
Study units
There are nine study units, but don't panic if you don't receive all nine at the same time. It is usual to receive study units in three, or even four, separate mailings.
Eachunit in ELEC S224consists of three to four weeks' work. Please remember that you have to plan your own study schedule. It is essential that you complete your assignments on time, as they will prepare you for the examination.
The study units:
The course is structured so that each unit builds upon previous knowledge. Each unit contains various ways to help you study. To get the most out of the course, you should:
If you encounter any problems, please make notes and raise these problems with your tutor as soon as possible.
A brief summary of the ten study units in ELEC S224 follows.
Unit 1: Introduction to computer architecture
This unit first gives an overview of the key hardware components of a computer and explains how they carry out their functions. It then defines and describes processing control, data storage, different categories of input / output devices, and different generations of microprocessors.
Unit 2: Intercommunication of the hardware components of computer-based systems
Unit 2 describes the ways microprocessors and peripheral devices are interconnected in a computer system. It explains the basic techniques for interfacing with memory (ROM, RAM and cache), and I/O devices, such as timers, displays, mouse and keyboard. The unit ends with a discussion on system-level performance.
Unit 3: Data representation and processing in computers
Unit 3 first describes how data are represented in computers. It describes data representation in different formats. Topics include binary, signed / unsigned numbers, binary to decimal conversion, binary to hexadecimal conversion, floating point, ASCII, and Unicode. The second part of Unit 3 covers different data operations in computers. Examples of logical operations (shift left / right, AND, OR, NOT, XOR), addition and subtraction, multiplication and division will be given.
Unit 4: Software programs and hardware operations
Unit 4 relates the hardware and software concepts of the course to a range of computers and computer-based systems. It includes discussion on the roles of data elements within a software program, and explains the processes of translating a software program into the native machine language of the machine on which it is running.
Unit 5: The roles of operating systems in personal computers
This unit describes the roles of operating systems in personal computers, and explains how the operating systems' components and structure support these roles. Task-level performance analysis and power consumption will be discussed. The unit also gives case studies on how the tasks are performed in different operating systems.
Unit 6: Embedded computer systems
This unit first describes the characteristics of a variety of embedded computer systems. It then gives a comparison between personal computers and embedded computer systems. A discussion on embedded system design is also included.
Unit 7: Flowcharts and functional flow block diagrams
Unit 7 first gives an overview of flowcharts and flowchart conventions. By referring to examples, it discusses how to interpret and produce flowcharts and functional block diagrams. It discusses the processes of converting a group of tasks into flowchart representation, and eventually into a working assembly language program.
Unit 8: Programming in assembly language
Unit 8 first gives an overview of assembly language, and the differences between assembly language and high-level language. It then provides the details of writing an assembly language program. By referring to x86 examples and using flowcharts, the unit describes how assembly language programs are developed with the use of registers, literals, identifiers, data types, data definition, data transfer instructions, arithmetic instructions, branch instructions, and Boolean operations.
Unit 9: Communications about computers and processors
Unit 9 describes different types of computer and processor communications, and Internet-enabled systems. By referring to case studies, it also discusses the recent trends of virtualization and cloud computing.
Non-print media
Online Learning Environment (OLE)
ELEC S224 will maintain an OLE presence comprising course notices, a discussion board, schedules, assignments and other resources to facilitate learning.
Presentation schedule
The presentation schedule for this course is available on the OLE. In this schedule, you will see the approximate time for your tutor's receipt of your assignments.
Other online resources
You may be referred to relevant websites and online videos to supplement your understanding of the materials.
Equipment needed (IT resources)
Students need to have access to a computer with an Internet connection.
Assignments
Assignments for this course can be found on the OLE. The nature of these assignments is described in the 'Assignments' section below. You are required to complete your assignments and submit them either via the OLE or by mail (together with an assignment form) to your tutor in accordance with the timetable provided in the presentation schedule on the OLE.
Formal assessment for ELEC S224 consists of two components:
Assignments
Assignments serve three purposes:
The assignments will be designed to let you demonstrate your proficiency throughout the course. Assignments will ask you to solve problems and evaluate case studies related to computers and processors.
There are four assignments in ELEC S224. The marks of the best three assignments will count toward your overall assessment score. The combined score of your three assignments marks contributes 50% to the total course mark.
After your tutor marks your assignments, they are returned to you so that you can check your learning and clarify any misunderstandings. You should carefully read through feedback that your tutor has given on your assignments.
How to do your assignments
For each assignment, please carefully read through the question and the instructions. Please make sure you understand what is required before attempting an assignment. If you do not understand an assignment or the instructions, please contact your tutor.
Once you have completed each assignment, you may submit it through the OLE or by post. Please make sure that each assignment reaches your tutor on or before the deadline. However, if you cannot finish your assignment on time, you must contact your tutor before the deadline to discuss the possibility of an extension. Your tutor may grant you an extension of up to seven days. If more time is needed, you must obtain approval from the Course Coordinator through the course webpage or the Dean of the School of Science and Technology. Please use the online (Web) assignment extension application. No marks will be awarded for any late assignments without prior approval obtained from the Course Coordinator or the Dean.
Assignment schedule
Assignment | Covers work from | To be submitted at the end of |
Assignment 1 | Units 1–3 | Unit 3 |
Assignment 2 | Units 4 and 5 | Unit 5 |
Assignment 3 | Units 6 and 7 | Unit 7 |
Assignment 4 | Units 8–9 | Unit 9 |
Final examination and grading
The final (closed book) examination for this course will be of three hours' duration and will count for 50% of the total course grade. You should use the time between finishing the last unit and the examination to review the entire course. You might find it useful to review your self-tests, assignments and your tutor's comments on them before sitting for the examination. You will be advised of examination arrangements after you send in your examination registration card.
The final examination covers information from all parts of the course and will be in a form you have already experienced in self-tests and assignments. Do not worry that the examination will contain tricky questions. That would not be consistent with the clear, open approach HKMU takes to helping its learners succeed in their studies.
To earn a pass grade for the course, an overall mark of 40% or better is required, but you must attain an average mark of 40% or better on the assignments and a mark of 40% or better on the final examination. You are therefore required to submit all assignments and to sit for the examination. If, for some good reason, you are not able to complete all assignments or sit for the examination, contact your Course Coordinator to see if alternative arrangements can be made.
The table below summarizes the assessment requirements for ELEC S224.
| Assessment type | Marks |
| Four assignments The scores for the best three assignments will count toward the final assessment. | 16.67% each × 3 50% |
| Examination The three-hour examination will comprise short questions and long questions. | 50% |
| Total | 100% |
Many kinds of support are available to you during the course. They include:
Direct personal support
The course supports you through telephone tutoring, tutorials and surgeries.
Tutors
Each student is assigned a personal tutor. Your assignments will be marked and commented on by your tutor, who will keep an eye on your progress and assist you if you encounter problems during the course. Marked assignments will be returned to you as soon as possible.
It is a good practice to keep a copy of each assignment submitted for marking, so that you can always refer any queries to the tutor during telephone conversation. Hence, please contact your tutor should the following arise:
Telephone tutoring
When you have any difficulties in your studies, you may consult your tutor by telephone in the assigned time slots. The total number of hours that you can receive telephone-tutoring services is up to four hours per week. During the telephone tutoring, you can seek advice on the study topics, guidance in assignments, and help in preparing for the examination.
Tutorials
The course includes ten tutorial meetings of two hours each — 20 contact hours in total. The tutorials are conducted to provide an opportunity for you to receive some course progress guidance from the tutors. In addition, you have an opportunity to share your study experiences and difficulties in your peer-to-peer group discussions. Although the tutorials are not compulsory, you are encouraged to attend the tutorial meetings as far as possible.
Details of the dates, time and location of the tutorials as well as the name and phone number of your tutor will be sent to you in due course.
Surgeries
As a supplement to the telephone tutoring, the course also supplies ten surgery sessions. An on-duty tutor chairs each surgery. Each surgery aims to provide face-to-face consultation on individual students' study problem areas. You may bring along to the surgeries any queries on the study units, assignments and specimen examination paper.
Electronic support
You may also submit your study problems to your assigned tutor via email.
Email provides flexibility to both tutors and students in overcoming the limitations of telephone tutoring for solving more technical issues.
OLE
As mentioned earlier, a course webpage will be set up on the OLE for disseminating the latest course information, announcements, scheduling, and assignment distribution.
ELEC S224 Computers and Processors is intended to provide you with a foundational understanding of both the hardware and software functions of computers in various forms of computer systems. In order to understand the contents of this course, you must analyse the course materials and apply the concepts learned. We hope that you achieve great success and satisfaction from this course.
A note about the developer of this course
Mr Sam Ng, the developer of ELEC S224, has extensive multi-national senior management experience in both the IT and furniture industries in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific region. Previously, he was Head of IT in a leading financial information services and stock trading solutions company in Hong Kong. He has also served as the IT Manager and Regional Information Security Officer of the world's largest reinsurance company at its Asia Pacific Headquarters based in Hong Kong.
Mr Ng has teaching experience from the Vocational Training Council's School of Higher And Professional Education (SHAPE) (University of West England and Coventry University), and a Project and Quality Management Course at the Institute of Vocational Education.
