IIT Delhi - Abu Dhabi
ACOL 216
Semester II, 2025-26

Introduction to Computer Architecture
Semester II, 2025-26

Updates

  • Piazza link: Sign up for this class on Piazza. The access code is acol216.

  • The deadline to submit Assignment-1 has been extended to April 8 (EoD). Submissions must be made only through MS Teams.

  • New Lecture is up: 21. Processor Design: Part 3 [ slides ]
  • New Lecture is up: 20. Processor Design: Part 2 [ slides ]
  • New Lecture is up: 19. Processor Design: Part 1 [ slides ]

Course Description

This course introduces the core concepts of computer architecture, emphasizing the interface between software and hardware and the execution of programs on modern computer systems. Topics include the language of bits, instruction set architectures, assembly language, computer arithmetic, processor organization, and memory systems.

The course covers key architectural design principles such as pipelining, registers, memory hierarchy, and basic performance considerations, enabling students to understand how architectural decisions influence program behaviour. The course is intended for undergraduate students with prior exposure to programming and basic digital logic.


Instructor

Tanmoy Chakraborty

Teaching Assistants

Anwoy

Aswini


Logistics

  • Credits: 4 credits (3-1-0).
  • Lectures: Tuesday (10:00-10:50 am) and Thursday (10:00-11:50 am) at M4 Classroom 6.
  • Tutorial: Monday (11:00-11:50 am) at M4 Classroom 4, for both the groups.
  • Attendance requirement: A minimum of 80% attendance is required for the course. Additionally, overall classroom engagement (attendance, participation in discussions and interactions during lectures) will contribute 4 marks towards the course total.
  • Audit policy: To receive an Audit Pass, a student must obtain at least 40% of the course total and maintain a minimum of 80% attendance.

Assessment Plan (Tentative)

  • Daily Quiz: 6%
  • Class Participation: 4%
  • Assignments: 20% (2 individual assignments - 10% each; one before the minor and one after the minor)
  • Quizzes: 20% (3 quizzes; one before the minor and two after the minor - best 2 out of 3 will be considered)
  • Minor Exam: 25%
  • Major Exam: 25%