Module Catalogues

Operating Systems Concepts

Module Title Operating Systems Concepts
Module Level Level 1
Module Credits 5.00

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. construct programs which demonstrate in a simple form the operation of examples of systems programs, including simple compilers and programs that involve management of concurrent processes.

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). 

Practicals: Students will be expected to attend supervised computer lab practicals in a typical week. 
Computer lab practicals are intended to allow students to undertake practical exercises with the possibility of immediate feedback. 

Private study: In a typical week students will be expected to devote approximately 6 hours of unsupervised time to private study; private study will provide time for reflection and consideration of lecture material and background reading and completion of the assessment tasks.

Assessment: Continuous assessment will be used to test to what extent practical skills have been learnt. 
A final examination at the end of the module will assess the academic achievement of students.