National University of Singapore

Computer Science

Introduction to Operating Systems - Second Semester 2011/12  

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Course Syllabus

Textbook:

• L. Bic, A. Shaw, Operating Systems Principles, Prentice-Hall, 2003 (ISBN: 0130266116)
• This book is mandatory. It will be used not only for reading assignments but also for homework problems and the projects. You can bring it to the midterm and final, both of which are “open-book” exams.

Copies of Book Chapters

(In case you don’t have your own copy of the book, you can use these pdf files but note that figures are in separate files.)

• Link to ALL FIGURES
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Processes and Their Interactions, Exercises
• Chapter 3: Higher-Level Synchronization and Communication, Exercises
• Chapter 4: The OS Kernel: Implementing Processes and threads, Exercises
• Chapter 5: Process and Thread Scheduling, Exercises
• Chapter 6: Deadlocks, Exercises
• Chapter 7: Physical Memory, Exercises
• Chapter 8: Virtual Memory, Exercises
• Chapter 9: Sharing of Data and Code, Exercises
• Chapter 10: File Systems, Exercises
• Chapter 11: Input/Output, Exercises
• Chapter 12: The Protection and Security Interface, Exercises
• Chapter 13: Internal Protection Mechanisms, Exercises
• Project A: Process and Resource Management
• Project B: Page Replacement Algorithms

Course Structure:

Lectures:

All lectures are recorded and available online (see main course page).

Copies of lecture notes in PowerPoint are also downloadable from that site.

Homework:

There will be a set of homework problems for each week. They need to be turned in by the due date via IVLE.

Each homework is due on Friday the following week (i.e., HW1 is due on Friday of week 2, etc.)

Late work will be accepted, but a penalty of 10% per day will be imposed.

Solutions to homework problems will be presented and discussed in tutorial sessions.

Homework problems are strictly analytical/theoretical (no programming).

Projects:

There will be two programming projects to complete, each dealing with a different part of the operating system.

These will be presented/discussed in class and in tutorial sessions. They are due on the dates posted on the course website.

Labs:

There are regularly scheduled lab sessions but these are mostly for your convenience to meet with your lab assitants.

You can do the projects on your own computers and using any system you prefer.

Exams:

There will be one midterm and one final exam.

All exams are "open book/open notes"

Final is not comprehensive

All exam problems will be similar to the homework problems.

Grading:

• Homework: 20%
• Projects: 20%
• Midterms 30%
• Final 30%