ELEC9601: Semester 1, 2025

Overview

This unit of study introduces the fundamental digital concepts upon which the design and operation of modern digital computers are based. A prime aim of the unit is to develop a professional view of, and a capacity for inquiry into, the field of computing. Topics covered include: data representation, basic computer organisation, the CPU, elementary gates and logic, machine language, assembly language and high level programming constructs.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	ELEC5711
Assumed knowledge ?	HSC Mathematics extension 1 or 2
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Sridevan Parameswaran, sri.parameswaran@sydney.edu.au
Demonstrator(s)	Nicholas Coffey, nicholas.coffey@sydney.edu.au
	Benjamin Schwarz, benjamin.schwarz@sydney.edu.au
	Chen Pan, chen.pan@sydney.edu.au
	Guangze Deng, guangze.deng@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Neil Rajiv Joseph -, neilrajivjoseph.-1@sydney.edu.au
	Colin Zuhlke, colin.zuhlke@sydney.edu.au
	Steph Dunn, stephanie.dunn2@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final exam End of semester exam. Advanced grades awarded	30%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Lab Completion (Essential) Lab completion marked. Groups of 2	15%	Multiple weeks	During lab
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Project (Essential) Assessed in lab over multiple weeks. Rubric to be specified. Groups of 3	10%	Multiple weeks	N/A
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Fundamentals quizzes (Essential) Test essential knowledge. Four quizzes, each worth 2.5%	25%	Multiple weeks	30 mins
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Extensions Quizzes (Extension) Test extension knowledge. 3 quizzes.	10%	Multiple weeks	30
Outcomes assessed:
Creative assessment / demonstration	Project (Extension) Rubric to be announced. Marks may be awarded to differentiate group/individual performance	5%	Week 13	N/A
Outcomes assessed:
Creative assessment / demonstration	Project (Advanced) Rubric to be announced. Marks may be awarded to differentiate group/individual performance	5%	Week 13	N/A
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

This unit is has split the assessment into 3 levels

Essentials - The foundational knowledge and application required to move beyond ELEC1601/ELEC9601, achieving ‘competent’ in this represents a ‘50 Pass’ standard.

Extension – Concepts and applications that builds on what has been introduced in essentials. Competent in this represents between a P and C level.

Advanced – Concepts and application that represents a D/HD level of understanding.

You must demonstrate competence (what is called ‘passed’ in other units) in the assessment tasks associated with a level before you are permitted to move onto a higher level.

Details regarding assessments

Lab Completion (Essential): Demonstrate all group members complete and understand work. Must complete to pass the course.
Fundamentals quizzes (Essential): Quizzes consisting of short questions assessed in tutorials testing essential knowledge from lectures/labs. Must achieve a threshold score to complete the task and pass the course
Extensions Quizzes (Extension): Quizzes consisting of short questions assessed in tutorials testing more advanced knowledge from lectures/labs.
Project demonstration (Essential/Extension/Advanced): Demonstrate project meets essential/extension/advanced rubric during a lab session. Mark may be moderated based on individual contribution.
Final exam (Advanced only): End of semester exam testing advanced knowledge.
Exam attendance is not mandatory.
Regardless of exam performance, all essential assessments must be passed to pass this unit.
NOTE: The exam will be HARD. Due to the weight of continuous assessments getting up to potentially 70%, this is testing to what extent Distinction/High Distinction students have mastered the advanced subject content

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard (mastering advanced), a distinction a very high standard (exploring advanced), a credit a good standard (mastering extension), and a pass an acceptable standard (mastering essentials).

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Course organization, embedded programming introduction	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Loops, Polling and Interrupts.	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to Arduino (basic embedded programming)	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 03	Encoding and Binary Number Systems	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 03	Introduction to an embedded system	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 04	Fixed and Floating Point	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 04	Servos and Numbers	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 05	Assembly Basics	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 05	Servos and Numbers in Hardware	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 06	Computer Architecture and Memory	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 06	Sensors and driving a motor (simulation)	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 07	Running basic instructions on a Computer	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 07	Sensors and driving a motor (hardware)	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 08	Running advanced instructions on a Computer	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 09	Subroutines	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 09	Project	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 10	Using the stack	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 10	Project	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 11	Compilers and writing more efficient assembly	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 11	Project	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 12	Compilers and writing more efficient assembly	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 13	Project Demo	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 13	Finish up and revision	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment: Lecture requires previous preparation activities and active participation. Tutorials involve solving extending the activities done in the lecture, requiring preparation activities and active participation. Laboratories involve lab work on computer systems and design build and test a team project with a robot. You must participate. Independent study involves preparation for lectures, tutorials and labs.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. engage in team-based design, drawing on the knowledge, skills and creative talent of all members to deliver a solution to a particular engineering problem.
LO2. appreciate the professional practice, standards, and responsibilities in working with hardware and software to the limit afforded by lab sessions and exercises
LO3. apply concept, principles and techniques to configure a basic system
LO4. scope, build and test an engineering artefact
LO5. demonstrate proficiency in applying computer engineering knowledge in the design, construction and testing of commensurate solutions for specific engineering problems
LO6. demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and principles of computer architecture, programming and microprocessor assembly language
LO7. demonstrate fundamental knowledge of computer engineering issues

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Exam available to all students from start of semester. Clear assessment and evaluation structure set from start of the course.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

This unit of study outline was last modified on 05 Mar 2025.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

ELEC9601: Computer Systems

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect