CS202
Computer Organization and Systems
Faculty
Marco Meijer
Independent Game Developer
Course length
Duration
Total hours
Credits
Language
Course type
Fee for single course
Fee for degree students
Skills you’ll learn
Overview
In this course, students will gain a thorough understanding of how code is executed on your computer at different levels of abstraction; from C to assembly to machine code, and from there to the logic gates that make up the CPU and how it carries out those commands. Additionally, students will also learn how numbers are represented and how abstract syntax trees are created.
Learning highlights
- Learn how your computer executes instructions.
- Learn how to build a computer using only “AND” and “NOT” gates.
- Learn all the steps your computer takes to turn your code into machine code.
- Learn how integers and floating point numbers are represented in binary.
Course outline
15 classes
Session 1
Introduction and overview of the course
Session 2
Introduction to the C programming language part 1.
Pointers, arrays, functions, and pointer arithmetic.
Session 3
Binary and hexadecimal representation of numbers. How does a computer compute mathematical equations?
Session 4
Introduction to the C programming language part 2.
Strings, 2d arrays, memory, and structs.
Session 5
C programming practice session.
Session 6
Introduction to the C programming language part 3.
Debugging, dynamic arrays, enums, switch statements.
Session 7
Computer architecture part 1.
Logic gates, timing diagrams, adders.
Session 8
C projects presentations.
Session 9
Computer architecture part 2.
Control circuits, von Neumann architecture.
Session 10
Computer architecture part 3.
ALU, Register file, CPU.
Session 11
Computer architecture part 4.
CPU cycles and finishing building the computer.
Session 12
Assembly part 1.
Registers, basic instructions, the stack.
Session 13
Assembly part 2.
Functions, if statements, for loops.
Session 14
Compilers.
Lexers, Parsers, Interpreters, AST.
Session 15
Final exam
Prerequisites
Basic programming experience.
Practical Unix & Scripting Languages (recommended).
Methodology
In this course we will have lectures, individual homework exercises, a project, and a final exam. There will also be one practical session.
Grading
Awards
- ICPC SWERC Champion
2022
- IOI Gold Medal
2021
- CEOI Silver Medal
2020
Marco started programming in primary school, to learn how to make video games.
In 2019, after he was selected to be part of the Dutch IOI (International Olympiad in Informatics) team, he shifted his attention to competitive programming. At the IOI, he won bronze, silver, and gold medals. He also won a silver medal at the CEOI, and his team got first place in the SWERC ICPC competition. He is currently studying for a Bachelor’s in Computer Science at Harbour.Space University.
See full profileApply for this course
Computer Organization and Systems
by Marco Meijer
Total hours
45 Hours
Dates
Sep 29 - Oct 17, 2025
Fee for single course
€1500
Fee for degree students
€750
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To be announced
Coming soon
How to secure your spot
Complete the form below to kickstart your application
Schedule your Harbour.Space interview
If successful, get ready to join us on campus
FAQ
Will I receive a certificate after completion?
Yes. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate signed by the director of the program your course belonged to.
Do I need a visa?
This depends on your case. Please check with the Spanish or Thai consulate in your country of residence about visa requirements. We will do our part to provide you with the necessary documents, such as the Certificate of Enrollment.
Can I get a discount?
Yes. The easiest way to enroll in a course at a discounted price is to register for multiple courses. Registering for multiple courses will reduce the cost per individual course. Please ask the Admissions Office for more information about the other kinds of discounts we offer and what you can do to receive one.