Homework

4 problem sets

4 peer-reviewed homework assignments

Tests

2 midterm tests

Final exam

Problem sets

There will be four problem sets during the semester, made up of problems from the textbook or similar problems. Each problem set will be due about a week and a half after we cover the material on which it is based.

Each problem set will have some graded problems and some ungraded problems. You may work on the ungraded problems in groups, but you must work on the graded problems by yourself. (See the cheating policy.)

Note: You must do all the problems, even the non-graded ones. If you do not do some of them, half as many points as they are worth will be subtracted from your score on the graded problems.

All problem sets will be graded by the TAs. Solutions will normally be made available one week after a problem set is due; see this table for specific dates.

It is possible to fetch the problem sets electronically For details, see the submission instructions.

Peer-reviewed homework assignments

During the semester there will be four peer-reviewed homework assignments.

• Twice, you will review of two papers from the computer-architecture literature.
• Once, you will make up a problem on material covered in 506.
• Once, you will make up five machine-scorable questions on one of the 506 lectures.

Signup sheets for the madeup problems and machine-scorable questions are will be available on the Web. You may sign up for the assignments in any order.

Tests

Two 90-minute midterm tests, each worth 15%, will be given at equal intervals during the semester. The first test will cover Lectures 1-9, and the second test will cover Lectures 10-17.

Final exam

The 180-minute final exam will be worth 30% of your grade. It will be cumulative, but at least half of the points will be based on material covered after the second test (i.e., material from Lectures 18-26).