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227-2210-00L 8 Credits MSC , WBZ D-ITET , D-INFK , D-MATH
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Computer Architecture

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Onur Mutlu, Dr. Seyyedmohammad Sadrosadati
VVZ CR 4.8

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:30:10

Abstract

Computer architecture is the science & art of designing and optimizing hardware components and the hardware/software interface to create a computer that meets design goals. This course covers basic components of a modern computing system (memory, processors, interconnects, accelerators). The course takes a hardware/software cooperative approach to understanding and designing computing systems.

Objective

We will learn the fundamental concepts of the different parts of modern computing systems, as well as the latest major research topics in Industry and Academia. We will extensively cover memory systems (including DRAM and new Non-Volatile Memory technologies, memory controllers, flash memory), new paradigms like processing-in-memory, parallel computing systems (including multicore processors, coherence and consistency, GPUs), heterogeneous computing, interconnection networks, specialized systems for major data-intensive workloads (e.g. graph analytics, bioinformatics, machine learning), etc. We will focus on fundamentals as well as cutting-edge research. Significant attention will be given to real-life examples and tradeoffs, as well as critical analysis of modern computing systems.

Content

The principles presented in the lecture are reinforced in the laboratory through 1) the design and implementation of a cycle-accurate simulator, where we will explore different components of a modern computing system (e.g., pipeline, memory hierarchy, branch prediction, prefetching, caches, multithreading), and 2) the extension of state-of-the-art research simulators (e.g., Ramulator) for more in-depth understanding of specific system components (e.g., memory scheduling, prefetching). See the course website for detailed and complete content of past incarnations of the course: https://safari.ethz.ch/architecture

Resources

Lecture Notes

All the materials (including lecture slides) will be provided on the course website:https://safari.ethz.ch/architecture/The video recordings of the lectures are expected to be made available after lectures.Seehttps://safari.ethz.ch/architecturefor past examples.

Literature

We will provide required and recommended readings in every lecture. They will mainly consist of research papers presented in major Computer Architecture and related conferences and journals. See https://safari.ethz.ch/architecture for past examples.

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC , WBZ
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
One exam of 180 min (30%)Lab assignments with submission and face-to-face interviews (50%)Homeworks (20%)No books, papers, computers, phones, calculators or other electronic devices are allowed.Maximum 10 A4 hand-written pages with notes are allowed for the exam.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Computer Architecture
  • Thu 13:15-16:00 (ML F 39)
  • Fri 13:15-16:00 (HG D 16.2)
  • 27.09 Date 13:15-16:00 (ML F 36)
  • 18.10 Date 13:15-16:00 (HG D 1.1)
  • 25.10 Date 13:15-16:00 (HG E 5)
  • 01.11 Date 13:15-16:00 (HG D 1.1)
  • 08.11 Date 13:15-17:00 (NO C 60)
6 h weekly
independent project Computer Architecture No time listed 1 h weekly

Offered In