COMPUTER ORGANISATION AND ARCHITECTURE
UNIT CODE: ICT/CU/CS/CR/01/6/A
Relationship to Occupational Standards
This unit addresses the unit of competency: Understand Computer Organization and
Architecture
Duration of Unit: 140 hours
Unit description
This unit covers the competencies required to understand computer organisation and
architecture. It involves understanding principles of computer organisation and design,
understanding central processing unit functions, understanding computer memory
organization, understanding input-output functions and understanding computer arithmetic
and logic.
Summary of Learning Outcomes
1. Understand principles of Computer Organisation and Design
2. Understand Central Processing Unit functions
3. Understand computer memory organization
4. Understand Input-Output functions
5. Understand computer arithmetic and logic
Learning Outcomes, Content and Suggested Assessment Methods
Suggested
Learning Outcome Content
Assessment Methods
1. Understand Definition of Computer Practical tests
principles of Organisation Observation
computer Description of Computer Oral tests
organisation and Architecture Written tests
design Computer Memory
Organization
Structure and function of
computer components
Basic components
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Functions of
components
Identification of computer
hardware components
Input – Output Organization
2. Understand input- Peripheral devices Practical tests
output organization Categories of peripheral Observation
devices Oral tests
Standard I/O devices Written tests
specification factors
Input-output processing
Role of Bus interface in I/O
Modes of data transfer
Programmed I/O
Interrupt initiated I/O
Direct memory
access(DMA)
I/O devices’ specifications as
per user needs
Verification of computer I/O
devices’ specifications
3. Understand Computer Memory Practical tests
computer memory Organization Observation
organization Functions Oral tests
Categories of internal Written tests
memory
Standard memory
specification factors
Storage technologies
Solid state storage
devices
Optical storage devices
Magnetic storage
devices
Cache and Virtual memory
Definitions
Operations of cache
and virtual memory
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Prescription of memory
specifications as per user needs
Verification of memory
specifications for a given
computer
4. Understand central Central Processing Unit Practical tests
processing unit Types of processors Observation
functions Processor generations Oral tests
Standard CPU Written tests
specification factors
CPU architecture
Arithmetic and Logic
Unit
Control Unit
Buses
Register
Definition
Types of registers
Instruction representation and
execution
Instruction set
Fetch Execute Cycle
Prescription of CPU
specifications as per user needs
Verification of computer CPU
specifications
5. Understand Number systems Practical tests
computer arithmetic Types Observation
and logic Operations Oral tests
Conversion Written tests
IEEE-based Integer and
Floating point representations
Integer and Floating point
arithmetic
Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication
Logic operators
OR
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AND
NAND
NOR
NOT
Logic operations
Addition
Multiplication
Subtraction
Division
Demonstrating methods of
representing logic operations
Truth table
Karnaugh maps
Logic gates
Suggested Methods of Instruction
Presentations and practical demonstrations by trainer;
Guided learner activities and research to develop underpinning knowledge;
Supervised activities and projects in a workshop
Simulation
Visiting lecturer/specialist from the ICT sector;
Industrial visits.
Recommended Resources
Tools
Internet
Equipment
Computer
Separate/disassembled hardware components, including
CPUs
Memory modules
Disks
Peripheral device
Materials and supplies
Instructional material
Stationery
Reference materials
Hardware vendor specifications
Trainer – recommended resources including web resources
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