ECE3073 Computer systems
Faculty of Engineering
ECE3073 Computer systems is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia. It needs ECE2071 and ECE2072 and unlocks 4 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton, Malaysia
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 3 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before ECE3073
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After ECE3073
4 units list ECE3073 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Overview
This unit is an introduction to computer systems and computer architecture using a modern microprocessor as an example. Practical considerations involved in interconnecting logic elements are explored, along with software and hardware techniques for interfacing computers to peripheral devices. Key functionalities of general-purpose and real-time operating systems including concurrency, inter-process communications and scheduling are discussed and compared. Multithreading and multiprocessing techniques are introduced.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | Flexible |
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- Project activitiesProjectThreshold hurdle40%
- Mid-semester testQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle15%
- Knowledge checksQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle5%
- Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle40%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Analyse different components in a given computer architecture and interpret the functions and operation of hardware and software employed in modern computer systems and devices.
- 2
Construct computer systems for specific real-world contexts and discuss the inherent constraints and performance of the proposed designs.
- 3
Predict the behaviour of key operating system functions such as task prioritisation, context switching and resource arbitration and quantify OS performance in both real-time and general-purpose environments.
- 4
Manage the implementation of a software and hardware co-design project in line with industry practices and standards, including version control and communication around requirements and outcomes with stakeholders.
- 5
Analyse a range of parallelism and concurrency schemes such as multitasking, multithreading and multiprocessing, and utilise these schemes to efficiently assign and complete heterogeneous workloads.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Laboratories24 hours
- Applied sessions12 hours
- Practical activities24 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
An integrative project to be completed over the course of the semester.
Independent study using video, recommended readings, and practice questions.
You will work through theory-based, software-based and hardware-based examples during the workshop.
In a team of up to four student engineers, you will work on a project over the course of a semester. You will also work within informal teams during the workshops.
Learning resources
Required resources
- ElecLab Toolkit - Information regarding how to acquire one on your campus is available on this webpage.
- BYOD for workshops
Technology resources
- C Compiler
- Eclipse
- Intel Quartus
Where it fits
ECE3073 is part of 2 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Aaron Choong
- Unit Coordinators
- Aaron Choong
- Associate Professor Narayanan Ramakrishnan
Common questions
What can I take after ECE3073?
ECE3073 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 4 units, including ECE4075, ECE4191, ECE4810 and ECE4813.
When is ECE3073 offered?
In 2026, ECE3073 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia.
How much work is ECE3073?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ECE3073 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include ECE3073?
ECE3073 is part of Electrical and computer systems engineering; and Robotics and mechatronics engineering.