ZSYS C1201 - Operating Systems

Module Title:Operating Systems
Language of Instruction:English
Credits: 10
NFQ Level:6
Module Delivered In 8 programme(s)
Teaching & Learning Strategies: Learning is divided into lecture and practical sessions over one semester. The practical sessions will provide students with hands on experience in installing, using, configuring and managing an operating system. It will also provide the opportunity to implement and reinforce material presented in lectures, to learn by doing.
Module Aim: To provide students with practical skills and working knowledge of an industry standard operating system.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1 Install and configure an operating system with appropriate security considerations.
LO2 Demonstrate practical skills in the operation and management of an operating system.
LO3 Explain the operation of the process and memory manager of an operating system.
LO4 Describe the relationship between a file system, file manager and device manager.
LO5 Automate simple tasks by using commands to write and execute scripts.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.

No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Introduction to Operating Systems
Role of an OS as the system software, types of OS. Examples of OS in use (server, desktop, mobile, embedded etc.) Examination of Linux and Windows as a desktop OS. Four managers of an OS (File, Process, Memory and Device).
Installing an OS [Practical]
Installation and configuration of an OS. Implementation of typical security features. Review of typical devices on a system and viewing the boot process. Command line access and basic commands.
File Management
Files, directories and file systems. Absolute and relative paths. Relationship between file management and disk management. Storage devices and examination of the storage/memory hierarchy.
File Systems [Practical]
Typical hierarchical directory structure, navigating the file system, managing files and directories Creating and editing files via command line. File compression and archiving. File and disk system utilities.
Computer Security
Introduction to computer security and the role an OS plays in securing systems. Threats, vulnerabilities and types of breaches. The CIA model and layering of host, network and application security.
OS Security [Practical]
Typical OS security practices. Managing file and directory permissions on a system. User and group management on a system. Configuring firewall rules and examination of system log files.
Process Management
What is a process? Explanation of process vs a program. A process as a unit of work in a system and the process lifecycle. Process control block, context switches and scheduling. Deadlocks and starvation.
Process Management [Practical]
Using commands to access process information, manage processes by starting, stopping, and resuming them. Viewing process resource usage, comparison of process and task managers in various OS.
Memory Management
Evolution from fixed and variable partitions to paged/segmented systems. Physical vs logical address space, implementing virtual memory. Trade off's involved when implementing memory management schemes.
Data Manipulation [Practical]
Working with text files. Exploring advanced command line features such as using variables and quoting. Redirecting input and output streams, using regular expressions and filtering text.
Choosing an OS
Comparison of contemporary Operating Systems on the market. Considerations to include; suitability for role, ease of use, hardware resource requirements and use of proprietary technology.
Scripting [Practical]
Using an editor to create basic scripts to automate standard user tasks. Using basic shell commands, variables and control statements.
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment50.00%
Practical10.00%
End of Module Formal Examination40.00%
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Multiple Choice Questions Diagnostic quiz 3 20.00 Week 5
Practical/Skills Evaluation Lab exam 2,5 30.00 Week 11
No Project
Practical
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Practical/Skills Evaluation Participation and completion of practical lab tasks 1,2 10.00 Every Week
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Formal Exam End of semester exam 3,4 40.00 End-of-Semester

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture 12 Weeks per Stage 2.00
Laboratory 12 Weeks per Stage 4.00
Independent Learning 15 Weeks per Stage 11.87
Total Hours 250.00
 

Module Delivered In

Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CW_KWCCD_B Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Creative Computing and Digital Innovation 2 Mandatory
CW_KCCYB_B Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Cyber Crime and IT Security 2 Mandatory
CW_KCCIT_B Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Information Technology Management 2 Mandatory
CW_KCSOF_B Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software Development 2 Mandatory
CW_KCCYB_D Bachelor of Science in Cybercrime and IT Security 2 Mandatory
CW_KCCSY_D Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management 2 Mandatory
CW_KCSOF_D Bachelor of Science in Software Development 2 Mandatory
CW_KCCOM_C Higher Certificate in Science in Computing Programming 2 Mandatory