Introduction to computer architecture including examples of current approaches and the effect of technology and software. Computer performance evaluation, basic combinatorial and sequential digital components, different instruction set architectures with a focus on the MIPS ISA and RISC paradigm. Evolution of CPU microarchitecture from single-cycle to multi-cycle pipelines, with overview of super-scalar, multiple-issue and VLIW. Memory system, cache, virtual memory and relationship between memory and performance. Evolution of PC system architecture. May include advanced topics, such as parallel processing, MIMD, and SIMD.
19 terms
Other grades
University of California, Santa Cruz
CSE 120 at UCSC: average GPA 3.15 across 5,354 students. Grade distribution by term. Introduction to computer architecture including examples of current…
Average GPA: 3.15
Grade distribution records: 5,354 students across 19 terms.
Prerequisite(s): CSE 12; and CSE 13E, or CSE 13S, or ECE 13, or CSE 15 and CSE 15L. CSE 16 recommended.
2026–2027 · UCSC catalog
| Grade | Students | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 425 | 7.9% |
| A | 1,114 | 20.8% |
| A- | 566 | 10.6% |
| B+ | 568 | 10.6% |
| B | 1,020 | 19.1% |
| B- | 389 | 7.3% |
| C+ | 255 | 4.8% |
| C | 322 | 6.0% |
| C- | 94 | 1.8% |
| D+ | 65 | 1.2% |
| D | 73 | 1.4% |
| D- | 20 | 0.4% |
| F | 96 | 1.8% |
| P | 117 | 2.2% |
| NP | 125 | 2.3% |
| U | 1 | 0.0% |
| W | 103 | 1.9% |
Based on 5,354 student grade records across 19 terms and 7 professors.
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