Survey of Hardware platforms (general-purpose computer, game console, handheld device): features and programming constraints.
Low level concepts such as pipelining / SIMD and MIMD execution / register banks and usage / floating point operations / bus architecture and operation (CPU/DMA control)
Memory systems (scratchpad, cache, and local memories).
Embedding low level code in high level source code
Performance issues: bottlenecks, profiling techniques, code optimization
Multithreading and multiprocessor programming in particular for game consoles such as Playstation or Xbox.
Graphics and audio hardware
Networking issues in multiplayer game programming
Introduction to motion capture and other data acquisition systems for use in computer games and Virtual Reality systems.

A portfolio of practical work, assessed via a mid-semester Test and Section A of the 2 hour-exam (Learning Outcomes 2 and 3)
Section B of the exam assesses Learning Outcomes 1 and 2

One 1-hour lectures per week.
Two 1-hour tutorial/practicals per week. (1:n)1 (1:20)2
Practicals will implement theory given in lecture material using chosen implementation framework. Students will develop a portfolio of practical work which will be assessed via a mid-semester test, and Section A of the end-of-semester exam.
Students will be expected to study underpinning principles and develop an awareness of issues relating to the development of low-level routines, platform architecture and performance optimisation.

Hyde, R., Write Great Code: Thinking Low Level, Writing High-level v.2, No Starch Press, 2005, ISBN: 1593270658

For lectures: Lecture theatre with powerpoint slide viewer and suitable graphics development libraries mapping to the one selected for the module delivery.
For practicals: High performance PCs and Games consoles incorporating suitable software development environment.

Prior programming experience