What This Document Is
This is a comprehensive course outline for CS 2800: Computer and Assembler Language, offered at William Paterson University. It serves as a roadmap for the entire semester, detailing the core concepts and skills students will develop in understanding the foundational layers of computing. The outline breaks down the course into key areas, providing a structured overview of topics ranging from number systems and computer architecture to assembly programming and system software. It’s designed to give students a clear understanding of the relationship between high-level programming and the underlying hardware.
Why This Document Matters
This outline is invaluable for students enrolled in CS 2800, or considering enrollment. It’s perfect for prospective students wanting to gauge the course’s scope and difficulty, and current students needing a high-level view of the semester’s progression. Use it to plan your study schedule, identify areas where you might need extra support, and understand how each topic builds upon previous knowledge. It’s also a useful reference for understanding the course objectives and expected learning outcomes.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This outline provides a broad overview, but it does *not* contain the detailed lecture notes, code examples, or specific assignments that comprise the course material. It won’t teach you how to write assembly code or perform number system conversions – it simply indicates that these are skills you will develop. It also doesn’t include the grading breakdown or specific dates for quizzes and exams. Access to the full course materials is required for complete understanding and successful completion of the course.
What This Document Provides
* A clear articulation of the course description and prerequisites.
* A list of overarching course objectives, outlining the key areas of focus.
* Detailed learning outcomes, specifying the skills students will be able to demonstrate upon completion.
* An overview of core topics including data representation, instruction formats, and memory organization.
* Identification of key areas of system software understanding, such as assemblers, compilers, and debuggers.
* Insight into the connections between hardware, assembly language, and high-level languages.