Computer architecture education

Traditionally, IEEE Micro has devoted special issues to topics such as hot chips, buses, interconnection technology, DSP, and memory systems. This issue is different because it focuses on computer architecture education in universities and colleges. In the past two decades we’ve seen immense strides in this field. If the next generation of computer scientists and engineers are to build on these foundations, this progress must be reflected in the way we teach computer architecture. In 1973 Gordon Moore observed that the number of transistors on a single silicon chip was doubling every 18 months. This empirical observation became known as Moore’s law, even though it has no physical proof. However, it does make sense at a conceptual level because of the effects of positive feedback on the microprocessor system design process. Improvements in semiconductor technology lead to better optics, more precise production equipment, and better software. These improvements help engineers design Alan Clements