15-503 Introduction to Computer Systems

6 units, Carnegie Mellon University

This course provides a programmer's view of how computer systems execute programs, store information, and communicate. It enables students to become more effective programmers, especially in dealing with issues of performance, portability, and robustness. It also serves as a foundation for courses on compilers, networks, operating systems, and computer architecture, where a deeper understanding of systems-level issues is required. Topics covered include: machine-level code and its generation by optimizing compilers, performance evaluation and optimization, computer arithmetic, memory organization and management, networking technology and protocols, and supporting concurrent computation. **This remote course is only available to incoming master's students who need a refresher course on computer systems. Not open to undergraduates.**

Prerequisites: none listed

Offered: Summer 2026

Courseweave needs JavaScript to show sections, workloads and planning tools.