Course

10662252 Introduction to Computer Engineering
Course Information
Description
Presents logic components built with transistors, Boolean algebra, basic combinational logic design, basic synchronous sequential logic design, basic computer organization and design, and introductory machine-and assembly-language programming and its implementation in the LC3 simulator. The course introduces students to a team-based project in assembly programming, providing the experience of a real-life computer engineering design project. (Designed to be a transfer course to the UW-Madison Electrical Engineering Program as ECE 252).
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies (Course Outcomes)
  1. Describe the scope and applications of computer engineering
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Exam, and/or Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Identify the primary subfields of computer engineering
    Compare roles, responsibilities, and skill sets of computer engineers
    Explain components of the Universal Computer (Turing Model)
    Outline emerging trends and career pathways available within the computer engineering profession

  2. Analyze digital data representation and perform operations on binary data
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Exam, and/or Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Convert between binary, decimal, and hexadecimal number systems
    Perform arithmetic operations on binary numbers
    Represent negative numbers in Binary with ones complement, signed magnitude and twos complement
    Explain common data types and their representations

  3. Apply Boolean algebra and digital logic principles to analyze circuits
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Exam, and/or Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Apply Boolean algebra to simplify logic expressions
    Implement logic circuit diagrams from Truth Tables
    Apply DeMorgan’s laws to simplify Boolean expression
    Analyze basic combinational logic circuits like decoders, multiplexers and adders
    Explain the operation of basic sequential circuits
    Implement simple finite state machine

  4. Explain the structure and operation of a von Neumann computer architecture
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Exam, and/or Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Describe the components of the von Neumann architecture
    Explain the fetch-decode-execute cycle
    Analyze data flow between system components

  5. Analyze instruction execution and memory organization in a simple computer system (LC-3)
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Exam, and/or Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Interpret LC-3 instructions and addressing modes
    Analyze the execution of LC-3 machine instructions
    Trace program execution in a simple computer system

  6. Develop and debug programs using LC-3 assembly language
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Exam, and/or Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Develop simple algorithms to solve engineering problems
    Translate problem statements into structured programs
    Debug basic programs using systematic techniques
    Apply structured programming techniques in assembly language

  7. Apply problem-solving strategies to basic computer engineering problems
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Exam, and/or Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Modify existing LC-3 programs
    Evaluate program behavior through testing and debugging
    Write and test LC-3 assembly language programs

  8. Analyze input/output operations and system-level interactions
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Exam, and/or Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Differentiate between Programmed I/O, Interrupt-Driven I/O, and Direct Memory Access (DMA) techniques
    Compare efficiency and operational mechanisms
    Relate operating system device drivers to a uniform interface for applications
    Analyze strategies used to minimize system bottlenecks caused by speed differences between the CPU and I/O devices

  9. Demonstrate ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering practice
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Exam, Scenario, and/or Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Apply professional codes of ethics to resolve a given dilemma
    Evaluate the environmental, economic, and societal impacts of engineering designs
    Examine institutional safety standards, regulatory compliance protocols, and technical specifications