CMSC 310N
Operating Systems

Syllabus - Fall Semester 2007

Instructor:  Dr. Ralph D. Meeker
Office: Scholl 156   Phone: 829-6561
Email:
rmeeker@ben.edu


TEXT:

Nutt, Gary, Operating Systems, 3rd edition, Addison-Wesley (2004), ISBN 0-201-77344-9


DESCRIPTION:

This course provides a comprehensive description of operating system principles. It introduces the concepts necessary to understand how an operating system serves as the manager of computer system resources. It describes each of the major subsystems that comprise an operating system and examines the interrelationships among them. Different operating system techniques are compared and the tradeoffs between various approaches are examined.


PREREQUISITE:    CIS/CMSC 220 and CIS/CMSC 274


OBJECTIVES:


IDEA OBJECTIVES:

Near the end of the term, students will be asked to evaluate this course using the IDEA survey tool. The survey is designed to measure achievement of the following objectives:

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Homework and programming exercises as assigned, participation in class, two mid-term exams, comprehensive final examination.


GRADING:

Homework 100 points
Programming assignments 100 points
Test 1 100 points
Test 2 100 points
Final test 200 points
A =  
540-600 points
B =  
480-539 points
C =  
420-479 points
D =  
360-419 points
F <=
359 points
Note:  It is the responsibility of any student who is unsure of the grading scale to ask the instructor for clarification.


OUTLINE:

This course will focus on chapters 1 through 14 of the assigned text. Material from chapters 15 - 17 will be covered as time permits. Additions and deletions will be made as appropriate.


I. Introduction to Operating Systems


A. Role of O/S (Chapter 1)
B. Using the O/S (Chapter 2)
C. O/S Organization (Chapter 3)
D. Computer Organization (Chapter 4)

II. Device Management (Chapter 5)

III. Process Management


A. Processes, Threads, and Resources (Chapter 6)
B. Scheduling (Chapter 7)
C. Basic Synchronization Principles (Chapter 8)
D. High-level Synchronization (Chapter 9)
E. Deadlock (Chapter 10)

IV. Memory Management


A. Introduction to Memory Management (Chapter 11)
B. Virtual Memory (Chapter 12)

V. File Management (Chapter 13)

VI. Protection and Security (Chapter 14)

VII. Distributed Systems


A. Networks (Chapter 15)
B. Remote Files (Chapter 16)
C. Distributed Computing (Chapter 17)


SCHEDULE:


Class meets Tuesdays, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, Scholl-223
  Test 1 - Tuesday, 25 September

Test 2 - Tuesday, 6 November

Final Exam - Tuesday, 11 December, 6:30-8:30 pm, Chapters 1-14


TECHNOLOGY:

This course will require students to use technology in at least the following ways:



COMPUTER SYSTEMS:

This course uses the Blackboard course support system to facilitate distribution of various course materials. Access the Blackboard course site using a standard Web browser at webctce6.ben.edu:8080. Students may use personal PCs from campus residence halls or off-campus locations and student computer laboratory PCs located in Scholl 218, in Kindlon 228, in the university library, in Krasa, and in many open areas throughout campus.

Access to the university computer network and to the university e-mail system is gained through the use of Login IDs. Each person's Login ID is unique and access is controlled by a password of your choosing. Go to www.ben.edu/it/support.asp for instructions on obtaining your login IDs and e-mail address and to download a personal copy of the Technology Information Packet for Students (T.I.P.S.) document.

E-mail is excellent way to interact with me about any class-related information, as long as you check it frequently for responses. My e-mail address is rmeeker@ben.edu.


CLASS ATTENDANCE:

Students are expected to attend each class meeting as class participation is an essential ingredient for success in the course. Students are responsible for all material covered in class, even when absent.


LATE ASSIGNMENTS:

Assignments are due on the date announced at the time assignments are made. Late assignments will be penalized 20% of the point value for the assignment for each calendar day by which the assignment is overdue.


ACADEMIC HONESTY:

The search for truth and the dissemination of knowledge are the central missions of a university. Benedictine University pursues these missions in an environment guided by our Roman Catholic tradition and our Benedictine heritage. Integrity and honesty are therefore expected of all members of the University community, including students, faculty members, administration, and staff. Actions such as cheating, plagiarism, collusion, fabrication, forgery, falsification, destruction, multiple submission, solicitation, and misrepresentation, are violations of these expectations and constitute unacceptable behavior in the University community. The penalties for such actions can range from a private verbal warning, all the way to expulsion from the University. The University's Academic Honesty Policy is available at www.ben.edu/ahp and students are expected to read it.

Academic honesty and integrity will be upheld in this course. Plagiarism or academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. My responsibility is to ensure that the academic work in this course is challenging, relevant, useful, fair and unambiguous. Your responsibility is to perform this work to the best of your ability. Collaboration is allowed and encouraged only on homework assignments, as discussion among peers is a useful tool for understanding the concepts. For case studies, such collaboration is integral to the assignment. Collaboration on exams is not acceptable. The bottom line is that I expect that all material submitted for grading represents the efforts of the student(s) submitting the work. I will follow up on any suspected incidents of academic dishonesty. If academic dishonesty is found to exist, the first offense will result in zero credit for the exam or assignment. The second offense will result in an F grade for the course.


CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR:

The instructor’s goal is to create and maintain a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. You must do your part to help accomplish this goal by adhering to certain appropriate behaviors. These include: arriving to class on time, being prepared for class, being present for the entire class period, turning off cell phones, and using other electronic devices only when appropriate.


OTHER INFORMATION:

If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability, you may be eligible for reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, please contact Tina Sonderby in the Academic Resource Center, 249 Kindlon Hall, 630-829-6512. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The University will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.


ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS FOR RELIGIOUS OBLIGATIONS (AAFRO):

A student whose religious obligation conflicts with a course requirement may request an academic accommodation from the instructor. Students must make such requests in writing by the end of the first week of the class.


VARIOUS BENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY POLICIES:


RESPONSIBILITY OF STUDENT:

If you are unsure of anything specified in this syllabus, it is your responsibility to ask the instructor for clarification.


OFFICE HOURS:

Scholl Hall 156 except as noted

Monday 2 - 4 pm (in Scholl-215)
Tuesday 5 - 6:15 pm
Wednesday
10 - 11 am
Thursday 10 - 11 am
Friday 10 - 11 am

Other times are available by appointment. Contact me at 630-829-6561. Please leave a voice mail message and phone number where you can be reached.



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These pages were last updated on 31 August, 2007 by R. Meeker .