This document is lengthy, but you are responsible for understanding and abiding by its contents.  It’s worth your time to review this carefully.

Course Details

Title

Introduction to Digital Logic and Computer Design

Course Department, Number, Section(s), and Term

Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) 2600 – Section 01, Fall 2025

Credit

3 Units

Prerequisites

CSE 1301 (Intro. to Computer Science / Intro. to Programming)

Meeting Times/Days/Locations/Mode

Tuesday & Thursday from 2:30-3:50pm in Hillman 60 (in-person)

Faculty

Profs. Bill Siever & Michael Hall

Course Description

Introduction to design methods for digital logic and fundamentals of computer architecture. Boolean algebra and logic minimization techniques; sources of delay in combinational circuits and effect on circuit performance; survey of common combinational circuit components; sequential circuit design and analysis; timing analysis of sequential circuits; use of computer-aided design tools for digital logic design (schematic capture, hardware description languages, simulation); design of simple processors and memory subsystems; program execution in simple processors; basic techniques for enhancing processor performance; configurable logic devices. Prerequisites: CSE 131

Contact

Please use our course forum (Piazza) for nearly all correspondence with instructors.  Please direct posts as generically as possible to get the fastest response:

• Simple questions and concerns should be posted to the entire class. (Questions about assignments should be made generic and not refer extensively to your work)
• Questions that contain something very specific to your work, like significant parts of your answer, or about grading concerns, can generally be directed to “Instructors”, which includes any TAs and the professors.
• Truly confidential matters can be communicated via a private piazza private post directed to either / both Prof. Hall and Prof. Siever (NOT the generic “instructors”), or via instructor office hours, or via email (Piazza strongly preferred to ensure prompt reply and that both instructors are aware of the issue and the response is recorded and transparent to all).

Learning Goals

After this course you should be able to:

• Given a problem description (behavior and constraints) appropriate for a digital machine:
  • Identify an appropriate binary representation for relevant data.
  • Create an appropriate digital logic solution either/both structurally (gate-level designs) and behaviorally (using a Hardware Description Language (HDL)).
• Given an existing description of a digital circuit (schematic or HDL):
  • Analyze performance and implementation issues (time, space, effort to maintain, etc.).
• Given specifications for a CPU (Instruction Set) Architecture:
  • Given a problem description, write an assembly language program capable of solving the problem.
  • Be able to read and explain the behavior of assembly language.
• Given specifications for a microarchitecture:
  • Explain how instructions behave and issues impacting performance of computation.
  • Modify its control and datapath to support additional functionality.

Format

Class sessions will all be in-person. They are a mix of lecture sessions (at least weekly) and activity sessions, where you will work in small teams on class content (usually directly related to the coming homework). Attendance is expected at all sessions. Participation is recorded during activity sessions and is part of the course grade.

This course may require up to 10 hours of dedicated, focused work outside class sessions. Outside work is a mix of reading/prep and homework. It is also beneficial and highly recommended to finish the bulk of studio session activities.

Required Materials

• Book: This course includes required reading from “Digital Design and Computer Architecture: RISC-V Edition” by Sarah L. Harris and David Harris.  The book is available at the campus bookstore, Amazon, Elsevier, etc.   (A DRM-free ePub or PDF can be purchased from Elsevier).  
• Lab kit and lab fee: A kit of parts needed for the course will be provided and a lab fee will be billed to your student account. The cost of the kit is $50.
• Laptop: As with most computer science courses, a laptop will be required for activities and homework.
  • You may want to have 1GB free space on your drive (there will be some alternatives if that’s not possible)
• GitHub account: Create an account on https://github.com/ if you don’t already have one.
  • We strongly recommend you apply for the (free) education access to GitHub Pro: https://education.github.com/discount_requests/application (Note: The authentication process may require access to your location, which may require giving permission or disabling VPNs for the duration of the process)
• USB Data Cable: You’ll need a USB Cable between your computer (probably either USB-C or USB-A) and a USB-micro connection. Some cables are just for charging (power), but you’ll need one that’s capable of carrying Data too. It’s likely that you already own a suitable cable, especially if you connect USB devices like Android phones to your computer. If not, you can get one online (Amazon) or at local stores (MicroCenter, Walmart, Target, etc.).

Policy & Implementation

If you have questions about policy, ask an instructor using Piazza (if the nature of the question is confidential please do a private post to either “instructors”, which includes TAs, or just the specific instructors, Bill Siever and Michael Hall; if the issue is truly sensitive, an individual email or meeting during office hours is best). 

We have intentionally structured the course to allow students to overcome almost all setbacks that occur during the semester (unexpected absences, short illness, etc.), however, you may need to be proactive to take advantage of these opportunities.

Special consideration will only be given if:

• the request comes from an appropriate campus staff member, like engineering student services, a counselor, etc., with an appropriate justification for special consideration, and
• there is an on-going issue that affects multiple aspects of course work over a prolonged period of time.

Major Policy Concerns

• Graded course components  (what, policies for each type, and how each contributes to the overall grade)
• Assignment of letter grades (or pass/fail)
• Collaboration & academic integrity
• Additional course support (for learning support, mental health issues, concerns about bias, victims of assault, etc.)
• Correspondence with Instructors

Graded Course Components

General grading issues

Homework

Studios

Studio Lead Team

Reading & Prep: Reflection/Questions

Course Evaluations

Exams

Grading Concerns

Letter Grades

• An A+ grade is given at the discretion of the instructors. It is usually based on A level performance with the course material as well as substantial, notable additional work or additional contributions to the course/course-culture. 
• It’s common for students to ask for opportunities to improve their final grade at the end of the semester.  In order to be fair to all students, we must respond that there is nothing we can do. 
• If you want to earn a good grade: put in sufficient time, get help when necessary, pay attention to all course announcements. 

Collaboration & academic integrity

In all academic work, the ideas and contributions of others (including generative artificial intelligence) must be appropriately acknowledged and work that is presented as original must be, in fact, original. You should familiarize yourself with the appropriate academic integrity policies of your academic program(s).

• Honestly represent your work. The material you turn in for course credit must be a fair representation of your own work, preformed specifically for that particular assignment. 
  • Copying any part of another’s work is strictly prohibited.
  • Using Generative AI is prohibited.
• Give help appropriately. When helping someone, you are not allowed to give them a solution. It’s always important to take the time to help someone think through the problem and develop the solution. Often, this can be accomplished by asking them a series of leading questions. Remember the old saying: Give someone a fish and they’ll eat for a day. Teach someone to fish and they’ll eat for a lifetime.
• Give credit for help received. If you receive help from people, you must list their names where appropriate using comments in the material you submit.

• Work in groups only when allowed.

  • Studio work is collaborative and should be performed in groups of two to three people. The results of that group work may be used in individual assignments if/when appropriate, but cite your studio group as the source.
  • Homework assignments must be completed individually, not in groups.
  • If in doubt, ask your instructor.  Be sure to ask in advance if you have any doubts about whether a certain type of collaboration is acceptable.

What happens if I am suspected of violating the academic integrity rules for this course?

All cases will be referred to the Provost’s office. The process, including procedures for appeals and potential sanctions, are listed at Academic Integrity Policy for Undergraduate Students page. The penalty instructors will pursue would depend on the nature of the infraction, but the minimum will be a full letter grade reduction.

Unauthorized Recording or Distribution of Classroom Activities & Materials

The following applies to all students in this course class:

Disability Resources (DR)

WashU supports the right of all enrolled students to an equitable educational opportunity and strives to create an inclusive learning environment. In the event the physical or online environment results in barriers to your inclusion due to a disability, please contact WashU’s Disability Resources (DR) as soon as possible and engage in a process for determining and communicating reasonable accommodations. As soon as possible after receiving an accommodation from DR, send me your WashU Accommodation Letter. Remember that accommodations cannot be applied retroactively. [https://disability.wustl.edu/]

Sexual Harassment and Assault

If you are a victim of sexual discrimination, harassment or violence, we encourage you to speak with someone as soon as possible. Understand that if you choose to speak to me as an instructor, I must report your disclosure to my department chair, dean, or the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Officer, which may trigger an investigation into the incident. You may also reach out to the Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center to discuss your rights and your options with individuals who are not mandatory reporters. [https://titleix.wustl.edu/students/confidentiality-resources-support/]

Religious Holidays

To ensure that accommodations may be made for students who miss class, assignments, or exams to observe a religious holiday, you must inform me in writing before the end of the third week of class, or as soon as possible if the holiday occurs during the first three weeks of the semester. For more information, please see the university’s Religious Holiday Class Absence Policy.

Emergency Preparadness

Before an emergency affects our class, students can take steps to be prepared by downloading the WashU SAFE App. In addition, each classroom contains a “Quick Guide for Emergencies” near the door.

Resources for Students

WashU provides a wealth of support services that address academic, personal, and professional needs. To start exploring resources that can help you along the way, please visit: Resources for Students.