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227-2211-00L 2 Credits BSC , MSC D-ITET , D-INFK

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Seminar in Computer Architecture

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Onur Mutlu, Dr. Mohammed H. K. Alser, Dr. Juan Gómez Luna

Number of participants limited to 22. The deadline for deregistering expires at the end of the second week of the semester. Students who are still registered after that date, but do not attend the seminar, will officially fail the seminar.

VVZ CR 5.0

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:54:23

Abstract

This seminar course covers fundamental and cutting-edge research papers in computer architecture. It has multiple components that are aimed at improving students' (1) technical skills in computer architecture, (2) critical thinking and analysis abilities on computer architecture concepts, as well as (3) technical presentation of concepts and papers in both spoken and written forms.

Objective

The main objective is to learn how to rigorously analyze and present papers and ideas on computer architecture. We will have rigorous presentation and discussion of selected papers during lectures and a written report delivered by each student at the end of the semester. This course is for those interested in computer architecture. Registered students are expected to attend every meeting, participate in the discussion, and create a synthesis report at the end of the course.

Content

Topics will center around computer architecture. We will, for example, discuss papers on hardware security; accelerators for key applications like machine learning, graph processing and bioinformatics; memory systems; interconnects; processing in memory; various fundamental and emerging paradigms in computer architecture; hardware/software co-design and cooperation; fault tolerance; energy efficiency; heterogeneous and parallel systems; new execution models; predictable computing, etc.

Resources

Lecture Notes

All materials will be posted on the course website:https://safari.ethz.ch/architecture_seminar/Past course materials, including the synthesis report assignment, can be found in the Fall 2020 website for the course:https://safari.ethz.ch/architecture_seminar/fall2020/doku.php

Literature

Key papers and articles, on both fundamentals and cutting-edge topics in computer architecture will be provided and discussed. These will be posted on the course website.

Learning Materials (Links)

Main link
Information

General Information

Language: English
Levels: BSC , MSC
Frequency: Semesterly recurring

Examination

Type: graded semester performance

Paper analysis and presentation (60%)Synthesis report (30%)Attendance (10%)In-class and online participation (10% bonus)

Registration & Places

Max Places: 22

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
seminar	Seminar in Computer Architecture	Thu 16:15-18:00 (CHN C 14)	2 h weekly

Offered In

Computer Science Bachelor
- Seminar (Students may also choose a seminar from the Master's program in Computer Science. It is their responsibility to make sure that they meet the requirements and conditions for this seminar.)
Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Bachelor
- Electives (This is only a short selection. Other courses from the ETH course catalogue may be chosen. Please consult the "Richtlinien zu Projekten, Praktika, Seminare" (German only), published on our website ( ).)
  - Engineering Electives
Computer Science Master
- Master Studies (Programme Regulations 2009)
  - Focus Courses
    - Focus Courses in Distributed Systems
      - Seminar in Distributed Systems
    - Focus Courses General Studies
      - Seminar in General Studies
Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Master
- Master Studies (Programme Regulations 2018)
  - Computers and Networks (The core courses and specialization courses below are a selection for students who wish to specialize in the area of "Computers and Networks", see . The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
    - Specialization Courses (These specialization courses are particularly recommended for the area of "Computers and Networks", but you are free to choose courses from any other field in agreement with your tutor. A minimum of 40 credits must be obtained from specialization courses during the Master's Programme.)
- Master Studies (Programme Regulations 2008)
  - Major Courses (A total of 42 CP must be achieved form courses during the Master Program. The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
    - Computers and Networks
      - Recommended Subjects (These courses are recommended, but you are free to choose courses from any other special field. Please consult your tutor.)