Carroll College - Helena, MT

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CS 410 Operating Systems

CS 410, Operating Systems

Last Update: 5/30/2008

Lecture, MWF 1-2, Simperman 345
Lab, MW 8-9, Fortin 115, CS lab fee applies ($40/course/sem).
Offered fall semester, 4 credits.
Expected enrollment: 10


Class Grading and Assignments

3 Tests - 20%.  Final is in class the last week.
Class presentation - 10%.
Labs - 30% total. 
Final test or presentation: 9:30-11:15, Thursday, Dec 8.

Class Policies and Guidelines

Class Description and Materials


Grading Philosophy and Calculations Back

The class has 1000 possible points. Scores for each test or assignment are  scaled based on their percentage of the final grade. (For example, an assignment that is worth 5% of the grade becomes 50 points.) The grading scale never requires more than 90% for an A, 80% for a B, 70% for C and 60% for a D. It is highly recommended that you keep copies of all homework and tests that you turn in and that are returned to you to help resolve any grading questions and to be available as a portfolio to future employers.

Grading Philosophy:

  • B--expected work- good quality
  • A--goes beyond expectations - is impressive
  • C--reasonable, but 1-2 significant weaknesses
  • D--some progress, but major weaknesses
  • F--work shows little progress

My philosophy is that most learning is never graded and you should largely be able to evaluate your own progress. In a job or research environment you will be best served if you can evaluate your own performance. There will be tests, demos or assignments that I will grade, but there will also be other “suggested” assignments or projects that will benefit you. Whether you choose to do suggested work is up to you, but they will improve your  knowledge and your performance in the graded tests. Current grade status is available at any time during the class by request of the instructor (personal or email).


Class Testing and Homework Makeup Policy Back

I expect students to take all tests and deliver all presentations as scheduled. If special circumstances make that impossible, please see me ahead of time so we can schedule a mutually acceptable time. If I haven’t heard from you within 48 hours of the test, I will assume you are not taking it. If you have not made arrangements with me within this time frame, tests and presentations are not able to be made up or retaken. If you miss a test, however, I encourage you to come and see me and talk about how to best complete the class.

I accept all homework (papers and labs), with a maximum grade of a B, up to the time of the final exam. However several things should be considered before missing a due date. First, mid term grades and any other grade calculations (athletics, financial aid, etc...) reflect progress in the class to date and will be based on the due dates. Missed dates will result in a zero being calculated for that grade. Second, to get an A on the paper or lab, it must be handed in by the due date. Finally, meeting these dates will ensure that your workload is spaced throughout the semester and that you get timely feedback to improve performance on future tests and assignments.

Professionalism, Plagarism, Cheating and Working Together Guidelines Back

Your integrity and the integrity of Carroll College are impacted by individual choices to cheat. The fundamental principle that should be followed is: all work submitted must be your own, or properly credited to others (either through direct quote, or when paraphrasing, through a citation or footnote.) Papers should not be used in multiple classes without the instructor’s explicit permission.

For individual labs, projects and assignments, discussion and review by others is acceptable and encouraged, however you should do all work, express all ideas in your own words and credit substantial additions to the proper person or source. All labs should be completely created by you unless otherwise directed by the instructor. Copy and Paste of others work is not acceptable unless specifically approved by the instructor.  For groups projects, everyone in the group should be given credit and contribute substantively to the resulting project in approximately equal amounts. You will be asked to sign a pledge on each exam stating that you did not cheat or help others cheat on that test. No help from others, internet, email or chat access is ever allowed on a test.

Professionalism. At all times, students are expected to conduct themselves in a highly professional manner. In addition to guidelines about student conduct established by the College (e.g., cheating, plagiarism), professionalism includes such things as attending respectfully to others who are sharing information, being flexible to unforeseen changes in the class, establishing positive relationships and engaging in positive interactions with peers, colleagues, and instructors.

No grade is important enough to compromise either your integrity or the College. When in doubt, please discuss the issue with me. If you are seriously concerned about a grade, talk to your me, your advisor or a counselor.

Student Academic Assistance Back

Recognizing the unique value of each human being, the Carroll College Mission Statement is in accord with the spirit of both Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. The college is committed to making reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. Students with special needs should contact the Academic Resource Center (ext 4504) for further information.

There are a number of services to help all students, with many challenges, succeed in this class and at Carroll listed below.

  • Disability Services and Tutoring Centers. If you have a disability see Joan Stottlemeyer in the Academic Assistance Center (ARC, x4504) for assistance. If you need extra help with class, tutors are available in the ARC (Tutoring Center).  See Joan or me to make arrangements.
  • New Student Services and Academic Advising. Cindy Greiman, x5434. For freshman and general issues with advising and advisors.
  • Computer Labs and Lab Assistants – For extra computer time, internet resources or lab assistants. See the web link for hours. Labs are available when a class is not in them or by the permission of the instructor in the lab at the time.
  • Health and Counseling Center – For personal or health problems. See Kathleen Trudnowski, x5441 for health issues, and Mike Franklin, x5559 or Laura Pickens, x5441 for counseling (stress, depression, etc..) issues.
  • Computer Ministry. For personal issues, Colleen Dunne, x4338.
  • Department Resources – Contact your advisor for general questions or for registration planning or Steve Harper, department head, x4466.
  • Contact the instructor for individual course content help or grading concerns or any other concerns you may have.

How is attendence graded? Back

Attendence is not tracked or calculated as a component of your grade. However, attendence is used for tuition and financial aid calculations should a student drop or quit attending class. In addition, and more importantly, I find a very direct relationship between attendence and the final grade in my classes due to students being aware of what is required and how it is requested. Students with similar knowledge may earn different grades due to being familiar with emphasis and presentation requirements of tests and graded assignments. It is my goal that each class builds on the last class rather than reviewing it and has sufficient new and unique content as to be worth its tuition.

What kind of class participation is expected? Back

Class participation is encouraged, but not specifically included in the grade calculation. Quiet or inquisitive and participative students can be equally successful and earn equal grades. Questions and comments are encouraged from everyone, although not required or graded. Sometimes “tangential” discussions will be encouraged, while other times I will try to answer a question, but return quickly to the original topic. I do ask for non graded “volunteer” work from time to time that benefits the student and/or the class and a willingness to do some of this on occasion is appreciated.

College, Department and Personal Classroom Policy Back

The purpose of these requests is to provide a productive and encouraging learning environment where all students and the instructor are respected.

  • Please be on time and stay for the entire class if at all possible.
  • Please turn off video games, cell phones and pagers. (If called, do not talk in class.)
  • Respect everyone’s rights to question or comment.
  • No Food or Drink in the lab.

Course Prerequisites Back

Cs 120 or equivlent programming and data structure experience. Cs309 or a general knowledge of computer hardware systems is advised. Some computer network knowledge (CS 330) is also valuable, but not required.

Required Books Back

Required: Operating System Concepts, by Silberschatz, Galvin and Gagne, 7th Edition. ISBN: 0-471-69466-5.

Recommended for Labs: Guide to Unix using Linux, Third Edition by Palmer, Dent and Gaddis. ISBN: 0-619-21562-3.

Research and Education Association's Quick Access, Linux (Handy Computer Reference).  ISBN:  0-87891-310-6.  Available at Amazon and other resellers, new and used.  Price varies from $2 - $20.

Computer Resources Back

Students will need access to the Carroll network and internet access. Other resources will be provided in the network lab. Email accounts are preferred. Access can be gained through use of the Computer Labs or through a student’s personal computer (on campus only at this time). Lab equipment is available when the Fortin computer lab is open, or if previously cabled, from any on campus workstation remotely.

Rationale for the class Back

Operating Systems provide the logic and resources in running most modern computer systems and the programs that use them.  An in depth understanding of the OS in critical in understanding how computers work as well as in analyzing their preformance and security.  The ability to do hands on configuration of an OS positions a student for many useful computer careers and functions.
Course Description and Objectives Back

Description: This course emphasizes the basic theory and practice of designing modern operating systems. It looks at overall architecture, kernels, drivers, shells, schedulers, memory management, IO systems, networks and programming interfaces and the algorithms and design criteria used to implement them. There is a lab component that emphasizes OS administration by  installing and managing the OS as well as looking at the practical effects of various designs. The primary OS used in lab is Linux, but Unix, Windows Servers, VMware, Novell and other OS's are also used or discussed.

Objectives:

  1. Learn OS architecture and be able to discuss the architecture of common Operating Systems.
  2. Be able to understand the impact of various design decisions made in creating and implementing an OS and their appropriate application.
  3. Understand kernel, memory management, IO, and network subsystems, how they work and why as well as when various implementation techniques are appropriate.
  4. Understand Programming tools and interfaces.
  5. Be able to install, configure and do basic administration of Linux and other OS's.
  6. Understand the role of security in design and implementation of OS's.

Intended student audience Back

This course is intended for Computer Science majors interested in careers in business as technology specialists or managers, interested in computer transmission systems or graduate school.  It may be beneficial for students in other disciplines interested in computer programming, how systems function and security.

Instructor Qualifications for the Class Back

Dave Marshall has been teaching computer science since the early 1980's and has developed a large number of courses on new technologies including microcomputers and computer networks.  He has been teaching OS classes since DOS 2.0 in the early 1980's.