Information Technology 371

ITEC 371: Operating Systems

Prerequisite: ITEC 352

Credit Hours: (3)


Principles of operating systems including interaction between operating systems and architecture of computer systems with emphasis on resource management.  


Detailed Description of Content of Course

Topics include:
1. Introduction and history of operating systems
2. Computer system structures
3. Operating system structure
4. Process/Processor management
5. Storage/Memory management
6. I/O systems
7. Distributed systems
8. Protection and security
9. Case studies
10. Ethics


Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

This course can be taught either as a survey of different operating systems and how each deals with the common problems which they must address, or as an in-depth treatment of a single operating system. In either case, the operating system(s) chosen must include multi-user support, multi-tasking, and virtual memory. Programming projects might include simulation of a particular aspect of operating system behavior or the implementation of the actual operating system facility being studied.


Goals and Objectives of the Course

Students who complete the course will be able to:

1. Describe the functions, structures and history of operating systems.
2. Demonstrate an ability to understand and apply design issues associated with operating systems.
3. Demonstrate an ability to understand and apply various process management concepts including scheduling, synchronization, and deadlock.
4. Be familiar with multithreading, protection and security mechanisms.
5. Explain and apply concepts of memory management including virtual memory.
6. Explain and apply techniques of system resources sharing among the users.
7. Explain and apply issues related to file system interface and implementation, disk management.
8. Be familiar with various types of operating systems including Unix.


Assessment Measures

Several projects and at least 1 in-class exam and a final exam are used to evaluate the student.


Other Course Information
None.

Review and Approval

Oct. 30, 1996         New course proposal    Edward G. Okie, Chair
Sept. 25, 2001       Updated                        John P. Helm, Chair

Revised: June 1, 2012