15-213/15-513 Introduction to Computer Systems: Assignments

There will be weekly written assignments, starting in the second week of classes. Each written assignment consists of 1-3 questions that require students to write single paragraph answers. They are released and collected via Canvas.

Written assignments are always due at 11:59pm (Pittsburgh time). No late submissions are accepted. Canvas will generally accept only one submission.

Written assignments are graded by your peers: three other students will read what you wrote and provide short, constructive feedback and a score (1-10).

Each assignment is worth 15 points, total. You receive the maximum of your peers’ scores, plus five points for completing the peer reviews you are assigned.

There will be 12 written assignments in all, and we will drop your two lowest scores. The 10 remaining are each worth 2% of your course grade.

Schedule

Written Topic Out Due Peer Review

W1 Bits, Bytes, Integers Jan 24 Jan 31 Feb 07
W2 Machine Programming (Basics, Control) Jan 31 Feb 07 Feb 14
W3 Machine Programming (Procedures, Data) Feb 07 Feb 14 Feb 21
W4 Machine Programming (Data, Advanced), Memory Hierarchy Feb 14 Feb 21 Feb 28
W5 Midterm Written / Cache, Design, Debugging Feb 21 Feb 28
W6 Dynamic Memory Allocation Feb 28 Mar 13 Mar 20
(March 4-8: Spring Break)
W7 Virtual Memory Mar 13 Mar 20 Mar 27
W8 Code Optimization, Linking, DMA Mar 20 Mar 27 Apr 03
W9 Exceptional Control Flow Mar 27 Apr 03 Apr 10
W10 System Level I/O, Network Programming Apr 03 Apr 10 Apr 17
W11 Concurrent Programming, Synchronization Apr 10 Apr 17 Apr 24
W12 Concurrent Programming, Synchronization Apr 17 Apr 24

We will provide you with a model solution and a grading rubric after an assignment is due, to guide you in your peer reviews. This two-part (writing and evaluating) sequence has been shown to improve student learning. As your peers are grading these anonymously, you are not required to include your name either in your submission or feedback. If you disagree with the feedback from your peers, you can make a private post on Piazza within 7 days, as per any other regrades in the course.

If the feedback you received is offensive or otherwise not in support of a welcoming and inclusive climate, please email your Professor.