This is an archived syllabus from 2019-2020

• View 2022-2023 syllabus.

COMP15212 Operating Systems

Level 1
Credits: 10
Enrolled students: 241

Course leader: Stephen Pettifer

Additional staff: view all staff

Assessment methods

• 80% Written exam
• 20% Practical skills assessment

Timetable

Semester	Event	Location	Day	Time	Group
Sem 2	Lecture	Chemistry G.51	Thu	14:00 - 15:00	-
Sem 2	Lecture	Chemistry G.51	Tue	16:00 - 17:00	-
Sem 2 A w3+	Lab	1.8	Fri	12:00 - 14:00	X
Sem 2 A w3+	Lab	1.8	Fri	15:00 - 17:00	M+W
Sem 2 A w3+	Lab	LF31	Mon	16:00 - 18:00	Z
Sem 2 A w3+	Lab	Toot 1	Thu	16:00 - 18:00	Y

Overview

An operating system is typically the 'lowest' layer of software in a computer.  It provides an abstracted interface so that applications can run on diverse hardware without modification and it provides security which prevents misbehaving software from crashing the hardware or disturbing other tasks which may be running simultaneously.

This course unit provides an introduction to the major principles of implementation of an operating system and some experience in how these features may be exploited by the 'higher' software layers. Note that this module is currently undergoing major redevelopment and modernisation and, whilst the principles will not change, some of the details both in the syllabus and teaching methods may differ in the autumn.

Aims

This course introduces the concept of an operating system -- the layer of software that mediates between the computer’s underlying hardware, and the processes and users of that hardware.

Teaching methods

Lectures, workshops, clinics, coursework, face to face mentoring by TAs. Use of online quizzes.

Study hours

• Lectures (40 hours)
• Practical classes & workshops (20 hours)

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, a student will be able to:

• Describe the components of a modern operating system, including scheduling and other resource allocation, security, memory management and paging, and filestore management 2. Explain how the components of a modern operating system work together to mediate between users/applications and the underlying hardware.
• Describe the requirements and constraints of different styles of OS such as desktop, embedded, mobile and high-performance computing.
• Design combinations of components that meet the requirements and constraints of a given real word scenario.
• Construct programs and use tools to demonstrate and profile Operating System behaviour.

Reading list