Staff

Shoaib Akram#

I am the course convener and lecturer for COMP2300 this semester. We have an exciting semester ahead of us. We will learn How Computers Work from the ground up. We will start with very basic building blocks (i.e., the transistors) and learn how powerful computers (like modern CPUs, GPUs, memories, and powerful machine learning accelerators) are built from those basic building blocks systematically. Our journey will take us from digital logic building blocks to microarchitecture. We will also do some exciting assignments, including implementing a simple microprocessor in a logic simulator and learning assembly language programming using a real-life ARM hardware board.

The ideas we will cover in this course are fundamental to designing computers today, and our focus is on key principles and fundamental tradeoffs in building computing systems.
We hope to open your minds to new ways of thinking and questioning about computers and for you to reason alternative approaches to improve the power and efficiency of computers.

Tutors

Adnan Hasnat#

Yo, I’m Adnan! I’m now in my fourth year of my double degree in Computer Science and Maths. I absolutely loved this course when I did it as a student. Ever since I was a kid I wondered how in the world you can make electricity and transistors do all of the many things computers do. Well, if you’ve ever wondered the same thing, this course will finally answer that question, and I hope you find that as exciting as I did! Outside of programming, my hobbies include reading, martial arts and competitive Tetris :).

Alex Boxall#

Hi everyone, I’m Alex, a third year software engineering student. My main interest is in systems and architecture - operating systems in particular. I really enjoyed taking this course last year - the CPU design assignment was especially fun!

I’m also part of the ANU Solar Racing team, where I mainly work on writing software to simulate the car and race conditions. If you enjoy this course, you should check out the team!

Anson Thai#

Hey there, I’m Anson - a fifth-year computer science student with a passion for exploring the inner workings of CPUs through low-level design and assembly programming. In the past few semesters, I’ve been engrossed in the subject, and I’m excited to geek out about it even more this upcoming semester! When I’m not hitting the books, you can find me tinkering with front-end development and delving into the fascinating world of serverless computing.

Eden Miegel#

Hi! I’m Eden and I’m now in my fourth year of a BAC degree. I love learning about all the things that go on behind the screen in a computer, so I’ll be super excited to share those learning experiences with you! Outside of Uni I enjoy cycling and spend plenty of time playing video games.

Itay Yarom#

Hey, I’m Itay, and I’ll be one of your tutors in COMP2300 this semester. I’m a third year who took this course in 2023 and I found it to be a very rewarding experience. Outside of uni, I’m a huge fan of both board games and fantasy/sci-fi books. Feel free to come to me if you have any questions!

Jasper Quirk#

Jon Connor#

Gday! I’m the resident old man in the tutor team having graduated in 2022. I’m now working full time as well as tutoring, so you’ll catch me in the after-hours labs. I’ve been tutoring in some capacity for nearly every semester since the beginning of 2017, and I’ve been around this course (or it’s predecessor, ENGN2219) since 2019. You can even blame me for some of the current lab content ;). I hope you find some enjoyment in learning all about how we’ve tricked rocks in to thinking. My favorite part of teaching is still getting to know you all and watch you grow over the course of the semester! If there’s anything I can do to help your learning, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

Kayleigh Sleath#

Hey all I’m Kayleigh, starting my 4th year of engineering and comp sci. I love CPU Things and will use “y’all” and “slay” only semi-ironically in way too many of my sentences, so consider yourself warned. Keen to meet you all (or at least some of you) this sem!

Kshama Patel#

Hey everyone, I’m Kshama and I’ll be starting my fourth year of computer science. I really enjoy getting to know how different parts of the computer work together to allow for execution of high level programs we write. I think COMP2300 provides a great introduction to this. Excited to meet you all. Don’t be shy to ask questions.

Lavender Neesham#

Hi I’m Lavender, going into my fourth year in computer science focusing on systems and architecture! I’m just a fun kind of gal so feel free to approach me or join my tutorials if you want some extra lame jokes!

Nicholas Arvanitellis#

Hey everyone! I’m Nick, and I’m a third year student studying maths and computer science. I took the course in 2023 - I enjoyed the course content and assignments a whole lot, so now I’m back to tutor it! Outside of uni I’m part of the ANU Solar Racing Team and I have an interest in game development (at least, when I can find the time/motivation :p). Feel free to chat with me if you wanna talk about maths, any interesting games you’ve played recently, or to ask any questions about the course!

Rosalita Rosenberg#

Hi! My name is Rosie and I’m super excited to be tutoring COMP2300 this year! I always describe this course as being like the Willy Wonka gum that simulates the experience of a 3-course dinner: incredibly satisfying with only a small chance of turning you into a blueberry. I am in my third-year of the PhB - Science program, where I study a mixture of computer science and biology. Outside of class, I am a Les Mills fanatic and someone who believes reading is a way of life, not just a hobby. Come have a chat about the course, uni, or a good book you’ve read :).

Sophie Press#

Hello! My name is Sophie and I am currently in my fifth year studying Computer Science. I hope you all enjoy studying COMP2300 this semester and I am here to help with any questions that you have :)

Thomas Willingham#

G’day friends! My name is Tom and I’ll be returning to teach this course for the fourth (!) time this year. I recently finished my degree in Advanced Computing, and have now moved on to studying Law but am still super excited to be getting stuck into the wonderful world of low-level systems and architecture with you! Outside of uni, I am a hockey goalkeeper for ANU, and a keen spectator of Cricket and Motorsport (mostly F1 but increasingly also Formula E and Rallying); feel free to come chat about anything in that list, and I hope you have a great semester!