Computer Architecture
- Faculty
Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science
- Version
Version 1 of 23.01.2026.
- Module identifier
11B1120
- Module level
Bachelor
- Language of instruction
German
- ECTS credit points and grading
5.0
- Module frequency
only winter term
- Duration
1 semester
- Brief description
Modern computer systems are becoming increasingly complex in terms of their structure and the number of processors used. The Computer Architecture module presents general methods of computer design and explores the principles of high-performance processors (pipelining, memory organisation, parallel command execution, etc.). Building on this, concepts of parallel and high-performance computers are discussed and, in some cases, developed and presented by the students themselves in presentations.
- Teaching and learning outcomes
- Basic principles of computer design
- Optimised processor architectures
- Instruction-level parallelism
- Memory hierarchies and memory organisation
- Fundamentals of parallel computers
- Selected aspects of modern parallel computers (student presentations)
- Overall workload
The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").
- Teaching and learning methods
Lecturer based learning Workload hours Type of teaching Media implementation Concretization 30 Lecture - 30 Seminar - Lecturer independent learning Workload hours Type of teaching Media implementation Concretization 30 Preparation/follow-up for course work - 40 Presentation preparation - 20 Study of literature -
- Graded examination
- Oral presentation, with written elaboration or
- Written examination
- Remark on the assessment methods
Normally, the examination format is a presentation. Only if this is not possible due to an excessive number of participants will the lecture be held throughout the entire semester and a written examination be conducted.
- Exam duration and scope
- Presentation: approx. 30 minutes; accompanying paper: approx. 8 pages
- Written examination: see study regulations
- Recommended prior knowledge
The module requires basic knowledge of computer engineering, including the structure of microprocessors, as well as programming skills.
- Knowledge Broadening
Students who have successfully completed this module will have a broad knowledge of modern computer architecture concepts.
- Knowledge deepening
After completing this module, students will have acquired in-depth knowledge of high-performance microprocessors and their use in parallel computers.
- Knowledge Understanding
Upon completion of the module, students will be able to evaluate the structure and performance of various computer architectures and select suitable architectures for a given task area.
- Communication and Cooperation
Upon completion of the module, students will be able to understand existing computer architectures and explain how they work. They will be able to extract new aspects from scientific texts and present and discuss them in a structured and clear manner (e.g. in the form of a presentation).
- Literature
- U. Brinkschlute, T. Ungerer: Mikrocontroller und Mikroprozessoren, 3. Auflage, Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, 2010
- A. S. Tanenbaum, T. Austin: Rechnerarchitektur - Von der digitalen Logik zum Parallelrechner, 6. Auflage, Pearson Studium, 2014
- J. L. Hennessy, D. A. Patterson: Computer Architecture - A Quantitative Approach, 5. Auflage, Moran Kaufmann, 2011
- Applicability in study programs
- Computer Science and Computer Engineering
- Computer Science and Computer Engineering B.Sc. (01.09.2025)
- Person responsible for the module
- Weinhardt, Markus
- Teachers
- Weinhardt, Markus
- Gehrke, Winfried