Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2009 - 2010
This information is provisional and subject to change.

Module Title	Operating Systems Design and Implementation
Module Code	CA321
School	Computing
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Dr Darragh O'Brien	Office Number	L2.35
Level	3	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None

Module Aims

An introduction to the design and implementation of modern Operating Systems - the programs that allow other, specialised programs to run on a piece of hardware without worrying about the details of that hardware, or about what other programs are running on it. This module will focus on Operating Systems algorithms and implementation. The theoretical problems will be explained. Particular examples will be drawn mainly from the modern systems UNIX and Windows NT/98, but also from older systems to illustrate various theoretical points. The module assumes the student has had an introductory exposure to UNIX and Windows. Time permitting, the future of Operating Systems and their changing definition in relation to Networks will be addressed.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, the student will have:

An understanding of the problems faced by Operating Systems, and the algorithms used tosolve those problems, historically, at present, and expected in the near future.
An introductory understanding of the theoretical issues involved in Operating Systems scheduling, (syrdronization, deadlock, protection, etc) and their relationship to other Computer Science topics.
An understanding of different interfaces that an OS may present to the applicationprogrammer, with reference to particular examples mainly via prodical element of module.

Indicative Time Allowances
	Hours
Lectures	24
Tutorials	0
Laboratories	10
Seminars	0
Independent Learning Time	41

Total	75
Placements
Assignments

NOTE

Assume that a 5 credit module load represents approximately 75 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.

Indicative Syllabus

Operating System Structures.

Memory management and protection, virtual memory.
Process scheduling.¿ Process syrdonization communication and deadlock.
File system implementation (unless already covered in 2nd year).
Operating Systems and Networks (possibly).
Operating Systems and Security (possibly).
Java or C/C++1 interfaces in UNIX or Windows.
I/O Systems and Management.

Assessment
Continuous Assessment	30%	Examination Weight	70%

Indicative Reading List

Operating System Concepts (Edition 6th), Silberschatz, Galvin and Gagne, 2002.
UNIX in a Nutshell, Daniel Gilly, O'Reilly Books, 1998.
The Unix Programming Environment, "Tanenbaum", 1984.
Modern Operating Systems (Edition 2), Tanerbaum, 2001.
Operating Systems (Third edition), Nutt, 20037 Operating Systems, Bacon & Harris, 2003
Operating Systems (Third edition), Deitel, Deitel & Choffnes, 2004

PLEASE NOTE: in order to pass the module a pass mark must be obtained in both examination and continuous assessment components.