UC1OSA10 Operating Systems and Computer Architecture

UC1OSA10 Operating Systems and Computer Architecture

  • Course description
    • NQF Level
      Bachelor's degree (Level 6 1. Cycle)
    • Area of Study
      Computing
    • Program of Study
      Digital Forensics and Incident Response
    • ECTS
      10
    • Campus
      Kristiansand, OnlinePLUS - Bergen, OnlinePLUS - Oslo, Online
    • Course Leader
      Emlyn Butterfield
Introduction

Language of Instruction and assessment: English
May be offered on Campus and Online.
May be offered as a separate course.

Included in the following bachelor's degrees:

  • Digital Forensics and Incident Response
Course Aim(s)

This course is designed to provide a thorough understanding of the key elements involved in the design, implementation, and usage of modern operating systems. It aims to give students a solid knowledge of the fundamental components that form the hardware/software interface of computer systems, and the essential aspects of modern operating systems' design and implementation. The course also delves into the underlying layers of computer systems' Input and Output subsystem. Skills development includes programmatic access to system libraries provided by the operating system for kernel communication and a comprehension of the multi-programmed model supporting concurrency, multi-threading, multi-processing, and the necessary protection for critical code regions. Students will gain a general competence in understanding how hardware components interact for safe code execution, how the operating system interacts with components to offer users a secure environment for process execution, and how operating system services can be provisioned. The course also covers concepts like virtualization, distributed systems, high-performance computing, and embedded systems. 

Course Learning Outcomes
Knowledge

The student has knowledge of

K1 the fundamental components making up the hardware/software interface of computer systems.
K2 the fundamental aspects of the design and implementation of modern operating systems.
K3 the underlying layers of the Input and Output subsystem of computer systems.
Skills

The student gain skills in

S1 programmatical access to the system libraries made available by the operating system for communicating with the kernel.
S2 understanding of the multi-programmed model that gives support for concurrency, multithreading, multi-processing and the required protection for critical regions of code.
General Competence

The student can demonstrate

G1 how hardware components interact to allow for the safe execution of code.
G2 how the operating system interacts with components to provide the user with a secure environment for process execution.
G3 how the operating system services can be provisioned.
G4 concepts including virtualization, distributed systems, high-performance computing and embedded systems.
Course Topics
  • Computer Architecture
  • Multiprogramming
  • Hardware-based protection
  • Evolution of operating systems and Types of operating systems
  • Processes and threads
  • Address spaces
  • CPU Management
  • Memory Management
  • I/O Subsystem
Teaching Methods
  1. Teaching will be based on a hybrid-flexible approach. Instructor-led face-to-face learning is combined with online learning in a flexible course structure that gives students the option of attending sessions in the classroom, participating online, or doing both.
  2. All activities require active student participation in their own learning.
  3. Learning delivery methods and available resources will be selected to ensure constructive alignment with course content, learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
  4. Students will be taught using a mixture of guidance, self-study, and lecture material. Topics will be introduced in a series of weekly lectures. The guidance sessions will be directed practical exercises and reading in which students can explore topics with support from a teacher. This material will also require students to self-manage their time to ensure tasks are completed and the theory is fully understood. This will allow the students to fully engage with lectures and with their peers.
Resources and Equipment
  1. Learning resources are available in the LMS and include, but is not limited to: 
    • literature and online reading material (essential and recommended)
    • streams, recordings and other digital resources, where applicable
    • video conferencing and communication platforms, if applicable
    • tools, software and libraries, where applicable
  2. Students must have access to an internet connection, and suitable hardware.
    • Accessing live streams and virtual laboratories requires a minimum broadband connection of 2Mbps (4Mbps recommended).
  3. Sudents working on their own laptop/computer are required to acquire appropriate communications software, e.g., webcam, microphone, headphones.
Prerequisite Knowledge

Refer to the admission requirements.

Reading List

The reading list for this course and any additional electronic resources will be provided in the LMS.

Study Workload

250 nominal hours.
Study workload applies to both Campus and Online students.

ActivityDuration
Teacher-led activity
36
Teacher-supported work
48
Self-study
166