1. To start run DC script, use below command line:
%module load cadence
%dc_shell -f <your_dc_script>

2. Make it clear if you want to apply sea-of-cell synthesis method or individual block synthesis.
-To apply sea-of-cell synthesis, only one dc script need to be created.
-To synthesize individual blocks, you need to create one dc script per block. 

3. To apply sea-of-cell synthesis, better determine what files from source code directory need to be included. (Hint: not all of them are needed, some of them even cause errors during DC compilation) A reference file list created for fall 2012 is provided for reference at this same directory. 

4. Understand scope of DC synthesis. Timing/Area/Power optimization happens mostly or partly at this stage. Communicate often with team and be sure to get their feedback to be able to perform iterations.