Aims and Fit of Module

1. To introduce students to the structure and functionality of modern operating systems. 
2. To explain how the principal components of computer-based systems perform their functions and how they interact with each other.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this module the student should be able to :


1. state the overall structure and functionality of a modern operating system and the interactions between computer hardware and user-programs; 

2. identify the operations of the major components of an operating system, including the device manager, file manager, memory manager, and process manager; 

3. identify the functions of system programs, including parsers, compilers, and virtual machines; 

4.develop small programs using multiprocess and multithread programming techniques.

Method of teaching and learning

Lectures: Students will be expected to attend formal lectures in a typical week. Formal lectures will be used to introduce students to the concepts and methods covered by the module, reinforced by practical illustrations and exercises using systems available to the students (Linux, Windows, Java, C).

Tutorials: Students will be expected to attend formal tutorials in a typical week. Formal tutorials will be used to reinforce by practical illustrations and exercises, the methods and algorithms covered in the module.