COMP-ORG-ARC.AB2
Computer Organization and Architecture
Have you ever wondered how computers work? It’s not just the physical components but also the underlying rules and instructions. Let’s find out with this course.
- Practice in 30 Hands-On Labs — nothing to install
- 29 Interactive Lessons and 150 topics mapped to the official exam objectives
- 362 Practice Test Questions
Beginner Self-paced · 1 year access
30 Hands-On LiveLabs
Practice real IT tasks in guided environments.
- Real environments
- Auto-graded
- No installation
29Interactive Lessons
150Topics
30LiveLab
362Practice Test Questions
169Flashcards
169Glossary of terms
01 / Skills you'll get
What you will be able to do
Try Free →
No credit card required
Explore the world of Computer Organization and Architecture with this comprehensive course. Understand the fundamental concepts of Computer organization, architecture, structure, and function. You’ll have access to our hands-on Labs for learning how to set up computer systems, install operating systems, and more. Our Labs are equipped with all the essential features that enable you to hone your practical skills in a safe, virtual environment. Enroll today in our Computer Organization and Architecture course, and start your IT journey with us.
- Understanding of core computer concepts - organization, architecture, and more
- Evaluate performance metrics, benchmarking techniques, and optimization strategies
- Deep understanding of the memory hierarchy - cache, main memory, and secondary storage
- Set up and configure computer components - motherboards, processors, memory, and I/O devices
- Implement and execute digital logic design with logic gates, combinational, Boolean algebra and sequential circuits
- Write and understand assembly language programs
- Execute parallel programming to utilize multicore processors
Course Highlights
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29 Structured Lessons Comprehensive coverage of core course objectives
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30 Hands-On LiveLabs Interactive guided scenarios with instant evaluation
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362 Practice Questions Assessment tests with detailed answer rationales
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1 Year Full Access Self-paced learning accessible anytime on all devices
02 / Lessons & labs
See exactly what you will learn and practice
Lessons
29 Interactive Lessons · 150 topics01 Introduction 5 topics +
- What’s New in the Eleventh Edition
- Support of ACM/IEEE Computer Science and Computer Engineering Curricula
- Objectives
- Example Systems
- Plan of the Text
02 Basic Concepts and Computer Evolution 7 topics · 4 LiveLab +
- Organization and Architecture
- Structure and Function
- The IAS Computer
- Gates, Memory Cells, Chips, and Multichip Modules
- The Evolution of the Intel x86 Architecture
- Embedded Systems
- ARM Architecture
4 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
03 Performance Concepts 6 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Designing for Performance
- Multicore, Mics, and GPGPUs
- Two Laws that Provide Insight: Amdahl's Law and Little’s Law
- Basic Measures of Computer Performance
- Calculating the Mean
- Benchmarks and Spec
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
04 A Top-Level View of Computer Function and Interconnection 6 topics · 2 LiveLab +
- Computer Components
- Computer Function
- Interconnection Structures
- Bus Interconnection
- Point-to-Point Interconnect
- PCI Express
2 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
05 The Memory Hierarchy: Locality and Performance 4 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Principle of Locality
- Characteristics of Memory Systems
- The Memory Hierarchy
- Performance Modeling of a Multilevel Memory Hierarchy
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
06 Cache Memory 6 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Cache Memory Principles
- Elements of Cache Design
- Implementing Cache Controllers
- Intel x86 Cache Organization
- The IBM z13 Cache Organization
- Cache Performance Models
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
07 Internal Memory 6 topics · 2 LiveLab +
- Semiconductor Main Memory
- Error Correction
- DDR DRAM
- eDRAM
- Flash Memory
- Newer Nonvolatile Solid-State Memory Technologies
2 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
08 External Memory 5 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Magnetic Disk
- RAID
- Solid State Drives
- Optical Memory
- Magnetic Tape
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
09 Input/Output 9 topics · 3 LiveLab +
- External Devices
- I/O Modules
- Programmed I/O
- Interrupt-Driven I/O
- Direct Memory Access
- Direct Cache Access
- I/O Channels and Processors
- External Interconnection Standards
- IBM z13 I/O Structure
3 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
10 Operating System Support 5 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Operating System Overview
- Scheduling
- Memory Management
- Intel x86 Memory Management
- ARM Memory Management
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
11 Number Systems 5 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- The Decimal System
- Positional Number Systems
- The Binary System
- Converting Between Binary and Decimal
- Hexadecimal Notation
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
12 Computer Arithmetic 5 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- The Arithmetic and Logic Unit
- Integer Representation
- Integer Arithmetic
- Floating-Point Representation
- Floating-Point Arithmetic
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
13 Digital Logic 5 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Boolean Algebra
- Gates
- Combinational Circuits
- Sequential Circuits
- Programmable Logic Devices
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
14 Instruction Sets: Characteristics and Functions 6 topics +
- Machine Instruction Characteristics
- Types of Operands
- Intel x86 and ARM Data Types
- Types of Operations
- Intel x86 and ARM Operation Types
- Appendix 13A Little-, Big-, and Bi-Endian
15 Instruction Sets: Addressing Modes and Formats 4 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Addressing Modes
- x86 and ARM Addressing Modes
- Instruction Formats
- x86 and ARM Instruction Formats
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
16 Assembly Language and Related Topics 7 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Assembly Language Concepts
- Motivation For Assembly Language Programming
- Assembly Language Elements
- EXAMPLES
- Types of assemblers
- Assemblers
- Loading and Linking
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
17 Processor Structure and Function 7 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Processor Organization
- Register Organization
- Instruction Cycle
- Instruction Pipelining
- Processor Organization for Pipelining
- The x86 Processor Family
- The ARM Processor
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
18 Reduced Instruction Set Computers 10 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Instruction Execution Characteristics
- The Use of a Large Register File
- Compiler-Based Register Optimization
- Reduced Instruction Set Architecture
- RISC Pipelining
- RISC-V Instructions
- MIPS R4000
- SPARC
- Processor Organization For Pipelining
- CISC, RISC, And Contemporary Systems
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
19 Instruction-Level Parallelism and Superscalar Processors 6 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Overview
- Design Issues
- Intel Core Microarchitecture
- ARM Cortex-A8
- ARM Cortex-A53
- ARM Cortex-M3
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
20 Control Unit Operation and Microprogrammed Control 4 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Micro-Operations
- Control of the Processor
- Hardwired Implementation
- Microprogrammed Control
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
21 Parallel Processing 6 topics · 2 LiveLab +
- Multiple Processor Organizations
- Symmetric Multiprocessors
- Cache Coherence and the MESI Protocol
- Multithreading and Chip Multiprocessors
- Clusters
- Nonuniform Memory Access
2 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
22 Multicore Computers 10 topics · 3 LiveLab +
- Hardware Performance Issues
- Software Performance Issues
- Multicore Organization
- Heterogeneous Multicore Organization
- INTEL Core i7 Memory Hierarchies
- The ARM Cortex-A53 and Intel Core i7 Memory Hierarchies
- INTEL Core i7-5960X
- INTEL Core i7 6700
- ARM Cortex-A15 MPCore
- IBM z13 Mainframe
3 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
23 Appendix A: System Buses 3 topics +
- A.1 Bus Structure
- A.2 Multiple-Bus Hierarchies
- A.3 Elements of Bus Design
24 Appendix B: Victim Cache Strategies 2 topics +
- B.1 Victim Cache
- B.2 Selective Victim Cache
25 Appendix C: Interleaved Memory +
26 Appendix D: The International Reference Alphabet +
27 Appendix E: Stacks 3 topics +
- E.1 Stacks
- E.2 Stack Implementation
- E.3 Expression Evaluation
28 Appendix F: Recursive Procedures 4 topics +
- F.1 Recursion
- F.2 Activation Tree Representation
- F.3 Stack Implementation
- F.4 Recursion and Iteration
29 Appendix G: Additional Instruction Pipeline Topics 4 topics +
- G.1 Pipeline Reservation Tables
- G.2 Reorder Buffers
- G.3 Tomasulo’s Algorithm
- G.4 Scoreboarding
Hands-On Labs Our edge
30 LiveLabs- Installing a CPU Fan on a Motherboard
- Installing Motherboard Components
- Installing a Motherboard, Processor, and Processor Fan
- Installing an Expansion Card on a Motherboard
- Calculating the Mean
- Installing Input and Output Devices
- Identifying a PCI Bus Slot
- Determining the Characteristics of Memory Devices in a Memory Architecture
- Determining L3 Cache Sizes for The Processors
- Determining Semiconductor Memory Types and Their Erasure Processes
- Installing DDR5 RAM on a Motherboard
- Connecting the Motherboard to the Internal Hard Disk
- Installing an NIC on a Motherboard of a CPU
- Connecting a New Workstation to the Internet
- Connecting a USB Printer
- Configuring a Wireless Client
- Converting Fraction Decimal Number into Equivalent Binary Number
- Converting Decimal Number into Two's Complement Binary Number
- Identifying Types of Logic Gates
- Identify the Addressing Mode
- Using Greatest Common Divisor
- Installing an i7 Processor on a Motherboard
- Determining Characteristics of Processors
- Understanding the Intel Core Microarchitecture
- Understanding The Functioning of Microprogrammed Control Unit
- Determing the Types of Parallel Processor Systems
- Installing Memory Modules on a Motherboard
- Identifying Chip Organizations
- Identifying Levels of Cache
- Determining ARM ACE Cache Line States
Labs run in your browser — nothing to install.
03 / FAQs
Questions before you start
Who should do this course?+
This course is ideal for technology enthusiasts wanting to explore computerized systems. Those learning computer science or software engineering will also find it beneficial.
What is the focus of this course?+
This course educates about the various software and hardware components of a computer system and the correlation between these components. It provides an insight into computers on a deep level.
What hardware or software do I need for this course?+
You don’t need to buy any hardware or software licenses. Our courses are equipped with hands-on Labs to let you hone your practical skills in a virtual environment.
Is this course ideal for beginners?+
Yes, this is a beginner-friendly course.
Does this course end with a certificate?+
Yes, you’ll be awarded a certificate after completion.
Computer organization vs computer architecture: What is the difference?+
Computer architecture defines the functional behavior and performance limits of a system. Whereas, Computer organisation is a low-level design that explains the inner workings (structural relationship and implementation) of a computer system.
What are the career opportunities after this course?+
Following are some potential job roles you can apply after this course:
Hardware Engineering
Software Engineering
Network Engineering
Data Scientist
Gain Job-Ready Skills
Kickstart your IT career with the right knowledge and skillset.
- 1 year of full access
- 30 LiveLab included
- Certificate of completion
No credit card required