ITFN 2601 - Fundamentals of Operating Systems
(Spring 2005: CRN 23030)

http://cims.clayton.edu/itfn2601


E-mail:vernardmartin@mail.clayton.edu

Phone: 770-960-4199

Office: UC317

Office hours: TBA

Note: the syllabus and schedule are subject to change.
 

Course Description        (3-0-3)

Fundamentals of Operating Systems. A conceptual and hands-on study of operating systems. Major areas discussed; operating system design and theory, applications and management issues, microcomputer and multi-user systems, including networks and mini/mainframe systems. Also covered; files, I/O, memory and process/processor management, networking, evaluation, tuning and application execution.

Course Outcomes:

Students are expected to obtain a mature level of mastery of the design of operating systems (1-5), and to demonstrate a refined level of comprehension.  Students will apply appropriate programming and reasoning skills (6), and will perform in groups and independently.  The student should exhibit reasoning, critical thinking and problem solving, and will gain an intermediate knowledge of the core concepts of operating systems (1-5).

Course Objectives:

The student will learn the function, composition, and use of those operating system principles which affect and aid the development and execution of system software and application programs. At the end of the course the student should be able to:

  1. State and know the functions of an operating system and related components
  2. Know how processes are managed and the theory related to OS processes
  3. Understand and define how resources are used and managed in OS theory.
  4. Know and state basic memory management algorithms.
  5. Know and define the principles of I/O Hardware and Software, file systems and multiprocessor systems.
  6. Use a programming language to simulate various operating system concepts.

Prerequisites

ITFN 1101 (with C or better grade) ; ITFN 1112; English (see the DUCK for more info); one of ITFN 1301/2/3 (with C or better grade)

Meeting Times

Tu,Th 4:30pm-5:45pm  University Center 327

Required Textbook

Applied Operating System Concepts (1st Edition) by Silberschatz, Galvin and Gagne, [Publisher is John Wiley & Sons, Inc.]

NOTE:  You may NOT use the book Modern Operating Systems by Tannenbaum for this course. 

Assessment

You will have numerous opportunities to practice and demonstrate mastery of the materials covered in this course.  It is up to you to keep current on all readings and assignments (including in-class announcements).  If you fall behind, you will most assuredly fail this course!


Grading will be based upon the following scale:

A

>= 90%

B

80% - 89%

C

70% - 79%

D

60% - 69%

F

< 60%


Assignment Portion of Grade

Final

25%

Three Monthly Tests

39% (13% for each of 3 tests given approximately once a month)

Assignments

36% (7% for each of 3 homework assignments, 5% for each of 3 labs)  

 

The actual percentages for the Final, Monthly Tests and Assignments might shift slightly do the number of assignments that are actually given out versus planned.

 

The final for this class is comprehensive. In addition the grade on the final can be used to redeem one (and only one) monthly test grade. So if your grade on the final is higher than your lowest monthly test grade, then that monthly test grade will be replaced with the grade from the final. This policy is designed to give a student the chance to improve one poor monthly test showing.

 

Partial credit may be given, but do not rely upon this – complete all problems for full credit.   Please be advised that NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN FOR LATE ASSIGNMENTS. If class is to be canceled or delayed, I will notify you via e-mail as soon as possible; we will make up any missed class topics during the following class.

Make up exams will only be given if arrangements are made before the test is given. 

 

Homework assignments may be worked on collaboratively, and you may make use of any resource at your disposal.  These assignments will be graded for correctness, but full credit will be given if you attempted the problem (i.e. wrote down a reasonable solution).  

 

Words of Wisdom (TAKE THIS PART SERIOUSLY!)

We expect your active participation in class.  Class attendance is expected because it’s much easier to learn if you’re coming to class and asking questions in lecture about things that confuse you.

Start assignments early.  This way, you can ask questions and clarify things that are confusing.  Often, I’ll make assignments intentionally “open” so that you can come up with creative solutions, but this also means it’s often easy to misread what I’m looking for in the correct solution.  Better to ask and learn than to get a low grade!

Your grade in this course is determined completely on performance, not on effort (except for homework assignments).  If you cannot keep up with the pace of this class, please talk with your professor as soon as possible. 

Academic Misconduct

If a student is found obtaining or granting inappropriate help in this course on any assignment (test, quiz, exam, homework, etc.) he will receive an F in the course.  The offense will go on permanent record with the university.  If this is not the student’s first academic misconduct offense at CCSU, he will be recommended for expulsion from the university.  This is in full accord with CCSU’s policy, and we encourage you to read and review the university’s policy in your student handbook.

ITP Choice Information

Beginning Fall Semester 2001, all students at CCSU are required to state that they have on-demand access to a notebook computer that meets the recommended hardware/software specifications that have been established by Clayton State faculty. Academic penalties may be incurred for not meeting this requirement.  See http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/ for more information.

 

 

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 214, 770-961-3719, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.