Loyola University Chicago

Department of Computer Science

COMP 462: Computer Architecture

Credit hours



COMP 264 (old 260) or COMP 360 or comparable background. Expected background includes:

  1. Understanding of basic computer organization, including familiarity with such components as CPU, ALU, multiplexors, registers, main memory, caches, and buses,
  2. familiarity with the roles of compilers, assemblers, and operating systems,
  3. some familiarity with assembly language,
  4. ability to understand simple C programs and to run programs in a UNIX environment, and
  5. familiarity with the representation of numbers in digital computers


This course presents key principles underlying the design of modern digital computers. The course introduces quantitative techniques used to guide the design process. It describes CPU performance issues and introduces instruction set architectures. The course then uses a hypothetical computer design, with a simple RISC architecture, to show how modern digital computers are implemented, first using a simple non-pipelined implementation, followed by a higher-performance pipelined implementation. The major hazards introduced by pipelining, including structural hazards, data hazards, and control hazards are discussed and techniques for overcoming them are described. Additional topics covered in this course include the design of the memory hierarchy in modern digital computers, caching and virtual storage techniques, multiprocessor systems, and distributed shared memory systems.

Other Information

Grades will be based on a combination of four to five written homework assignments, a midterm examination, and a comprehensive final examination.