15-213/15-513/14-513 Introduction to Computer Systems: Assignments

There will be weekly written assignments, starting in the first 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 after the grace period. 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 30 points, total. You receive the maximum of your peers’ scores, 10 points for doing the assignment, plus 10 points for completing the peer reviews you are assigned.

There will be 10 written assignments in all, and we will drop your two lowest scores. Written assignment scores will count for 6% of your grade.

Schedule

Written Topic Out Due Peer Review

W1 Bits, Bytes, Integers Aug 28 Sep 02 Sep 09
W2 Machine Programming (Parts I and II) Sep 04 Sep 09 Sep 16
W3 Machine Programming (Parts III and IV) Sep 11 Sep 16 Sep 23
W4 Linking, Design/Debugging Sep 18 Sep 23 Sep 30
W5 Memory Hierarchy, Cache Sep 25 Sep 30 Oct 07
W6 Virtual Memory Oct 02 Oct 07 Oct 21
(Oct 12-16: Fall Break)
W7 Dynamic Memory Alloc, Code Optimization Oct 23 Oct 28 Nov 04
W8 Processes, Exceptional Control Flow Oct 30 Nov 04 Nov 11
(No written assignment Nov 6-11)
W9 System I/O, File Systems, Network Programming Nov 13 Nov 18 Nov 24
W10 Concurrent Programming, Synchronization Nov 20 Nov 30 Dec 04
(No written assignment Nov 27-Dec 2)

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 Ed 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.