15-213/15-513 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.

Schedule

Written Topic Out Due Peer Review

W1 Bits, Bytes, Integers Jan 16 Jan 21 Jan 22
W2 Machine Programming (Parts I and II) Jan 23 Jan 28 Jan 29
W3 Machine Programming (Parts III and IV) Jan 30 Feb 04 Feb 05
W4 Linking, Design/Debugging Feb 06 Feb 11 Feb 12
W5 Memory Hierarchy, Cache Feb 12 Feb 18 Feb 19
(Mar 2-6: Spring Break)
W6 Dynamic Memory Alloc, Code Optimization Mar 13 Mar 18 Mar 19
W7 Processes, Exceptional Control Flow Mar 21 Mar 26 Mar 27
W8 System Level I/O, File Systems Mar 30 Apr 04 Apr 05
W9 File Systems, Network Programming Apr 07 Apr 12 Apr 13
W10 Concurrent Programming, Synchronization Apr 15 Apr 20 Apr 21

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.