Module Details

Module Code: ZSYS C1201
Module Title: Operating Systems
Title: Operating Systems
Module Level:: 6
Credits:: 10
Module Coordinator: Nigel Whyte
Module Author:: Michael Gleeson
Domains:  
Module Description: To provide students with practical skills and working knowledge of an industry standard operating system.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Install and configure an operating system with appropriate security considerations.
LO2 Demonstrate practical skills in the operation and management of an operating system.
LO3 Explain the operation of the process and memory manager of an operating system.
LO4 Describe the relationship between a file system, file manager and device manager.
LO5 Automate simple tasks by using commands to write and execute scripts.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Introduction to Operating Systems
Role of an OS as the system software, types of OS. Examples of OS in use (server, desktop, mobile, embedded etc.) Examination of Linux and Windows as a desktop OS. Four managers of an OS (File, Process, Memory and Device).
Installing an OS [Practical]
Installation and configuration of an OS. Implementation of typical security features. Review of typical devices on a system and viewing the boot process. Command line access and basic commands.
File Management
Files, directories and file systems. Absolute and relative paths. Relationship between file management and disk management. Storage devices and examination of the storage/memory hierarchy.
File Systems [Practical]
Typical hierarchical directory structure, navigating the file system, managing files and directories Creating and editing files via command line. File compression and archiving. File and disk system utilities.
Computer Security
Introduction to computer security and the role an OS plays in securing systems. Threats, vulnerabilities and types of breaches. The CIA model and layering of host, network and application security.
OS Security [Practical]
Typical OS security practices. Managing file and directory permissions on a system. User and group management on a system. Configuring firewall rules and examination of system log files.
Process Management
What is a process? Explanation of process vs a program. A process as a unit of work in a system and the process lifecycle. Process control block, context switches and scheduling. Deadlocks and starvation.
Process Management [Practical]
Using commands to access process information, manage processes by starting, stopping, and resuming them. Viewing process resource usage, comparison of process and task managers in various OS.
Memory Management
Evolution from fixed and variable partitions to paged/segmented systems. Physical vs logical address space, implementing virtual memory. Trade off's involved when implementing memory management schemes.
Data Manipulation [Practical]
Working with text files. Exploring advanced command line features such as using variables and quoting. Redirecting input and output streams, using regular expressions and filtering text.
Choosing an OS
Comparison of contemporary Operating Systems on the market. Considerations to include; suitability for role, ease of use, hardware resource requirements and use of proprietary technology.
Scripting [Practical]
Using an editor to create basic scripts to automate standard user tasks. Using basic shell commands, variables and control statements.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment50.00%
Practical10.00%
End of Module Formal Examination40.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Multiple Choice Questions % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 3
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Diagnostic quiz
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 11 Learning Outcomes 2,5
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Lab exam
No Project
Practical
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 10
Timing Every Week Learning Outcomes 1,2
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Participation and completion of practical lab tasks
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 40
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
End of semester exam
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.
Reassessment Description
Two Exams:
Repeat Theory exam (50%)
Repeat Practical exam (50%)

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture 12 Weeks per Stage 2.00 24
Laboratory Contact Lab 12 Weeks per Stage 4.00 48
Independent Learning Non Contact Independent Learning 15 Weeks per Stage 11.87 178
Total Weekly Contact Hours 6.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Abraham Silberschatz, Yale University, Peter Baer Galvin, Corporate Technologies, Inc., Greg Gagne, Westminster College.. (2014), Operating system concepts essentials, New York; Wiley, p.xx, 760 :, [ISBN: 9781118804926].
  • William E. Shotts Jr.. The Linux Command Line, No Starch Press, p.480, [ISBN: 9781593273897].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Andrew S. Tanenbaum, Herbert Bos.. (2015), Modern operating systems, 4th. Pearson, [ISBN: 9780133591620].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
Discussion Note: