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Syllabus for	Academic year 2019/2020 2018/2019 2017/2018 2016/2017 2015/2016
DAT277 - Energy aware computing
Syllabus adopted 2015-02-11 by Head of Programme (or corresponding)
Owner: MPEES
7,5 Credits
Grading: TH - Five, Four, Three, Not passed
Education cycle: Second-cycle
Major subject: Computer Science and Engineering, Information Technology
Department: 37 - COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Teaching language: English
Open for exchange students
Block schedule: B

Course module

Credit distribution

Examination dates

Sp1

Sp2

Sp3

Sp4

Summer course

No Sp

0115

Laboratory

2,0 c

Grading: UG

2,0 c

0215

Written and oral assignments

3,5 c

Grading: UG

3,5 c

0315

Examination

2,0 c

Grading: TH

2,0 c

In programs

MPCSN COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS, MSC PROGR, Year 1 (elective)
MPEES EMBEDDED ELECTRONIC SYSTEM DESIGN, MSC PROGR, Year 1 (compulsory elective)

Examiner:

Professor  Sally McKee

Replaces

DAT275   Energy aware computing DAT276   Energy aware computing

Eligibility:

In order to be eligible for a second cycle course the applicant needs to fulfil the general and specific entry requirements of the programme that owns the course. (If the second cycle course is owned by a first cycle programme, second cycle entry requirements apply.)
Exemption from the eligibility requirement: Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling these requirements.

Course specific prerequisites

Computer Architecture (DAT105) or equivalent is recommended.

Aim

The aim of the course is make students aware of the importance of energy aware computing and various techniques for reducing energy usage in computer systems.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

- explain what affects the power consumption of computer systems especially concerning their architecture
- explain what affects the power consumption of computer systems especially concerning their circuit structures commonly used in computer systems
- explain choice of method for reporting of energy consumption in computer systems and judge the importance of energy consumption from societal and ethical perspectives
- interpret requirements on the architecture of computer systems to meet societal needs such as lower energy consumption.

Content

The course is intended to give an overview of the energy-dissipation aspects of computers and computing, ranging from electronic circuits to operating systems and from battery-powered pocket devices to data centers.

Organisation

Lecture series, homework assignments, oral and written presentations and labs. Students will give frequent oral presentations to facilitate discussion. Specific skills to be practiced range from short "elevator pitches" to pecha kucha style presentations to longer lectures (done within a team setting) in a fun, relaxed, and collaborative setting. Discussions will not only focus on technology, but also on how that technology affects the world's carbon footprint and will likely impact society now and in future generations.

Literature

Kaxiras and Martonosi: Computer Architecture Techniques for Power-Efficiency, complemented by lecture slides and handouts.

Also selected chapters from John and Eeckhout: Performance Evaluation and Benchmarking, plus articles from the research literature.

Examination

Grades will be determined based on performance on the written and oral assignments (40%), labs (40%), and exam (20%).

The course is given in English. Teaching is through lectures, class exercises, and laboratory (which we will use to work on presentation skills).

Grades
The final grade is calculated based on individual grades on the three types together with their weights mentioned above.