The course provides an exploration of operating systems, encompassing key concepts and functionalities. It covers the history, structure, and services of operating systems, progresses through process management including processes, threads, CPU scheduling, and context switching—and delves into concurrency issues such as synchronization and deadlocks. The course also examines input/output management, device drivers, protection mechanisms, and security threats offering a thorough understanding of operating system principles and their evolution.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

1. Students will be able to Provides a framework in applying strategies for the effective design of computing systems.

2. Students will be able to explain apply appropriate methods in the planning, development, and management of design projects. 3. Students will be able to covers the knowledge and skills needed to analyze problems from multiple perspectives and seek resolution through multiple methods and tools.

4. Students will be able to apply mathematics methods effectively to analyze and resolve problems.

5. Students will be able to communicate effectively using well organized arguments and credible supporting evidence.

6. Students will be able to enhance a command of critical thinking with respect to computer ethics, privacy, and security.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

1. Discuss the core components, services of operating systems, including their historical development and recent trends.

2. Explain process management, scheduling, context switching and concurrency.

3. Apply memory management, virtual memory, Secondary Storage and file system techniques using shell scripting.

4. Discuss I/O management, device drivers, and security mechanisms.

Course Schedule and Topics

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week. The Final Exam will take place during Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time).

Week 1: Unit 1 – Introduction to Operating Systems

Week 2: Unit 2 – Process Management & CPU Scheduling

Week 3: Unit 3 – Concurrency

Week 4: Unit 4 – Memory Management

Week 5: Unit 5 – Storage Management and Shell Scripting

Week 6: Unit 6 – Input / Output Management

Week 7: Unit 7 – Security and Protection

Week 8: Unit 8 – Advanced Topics and Case Studies

Week 9: Unit 9 – Final Exam

Learning Guide

The following outlines how this course will be conducted, with suggested best practices for students.

Week 1: Unit 1 – Introduction to Operating Systems

● Watch/Read the reading assignments due 3rd – 4th day of the week (recommended)

● Discussion first response due 4th day of the week

● Discussion replies due 6th day of the week

● Self-quiz due 7th day of the week

Week 2: Unit 2 – Process Management & CPU Scheduling

● Watch/Read the reading assignments due 3rd – 4th day of the week (recommended)

● Assignment activity due 6th day of the week

● Self-quiz due 7th day of the week

Week 3: Unit 3 – Concurrency

● Watch/Read the reading assignments due 3rd – 4th day of the week (recommended)

● Discussion first response due 4th day of the week

● Discussion replies due 6th day of the week

● Assignment activity due 6th day of the week

● Self-quiz due 7th day of the week

● Graded quiz due 7th day of the week 6

Week 4: Unit 4 – Memory Management

● Watch/Read the reading assignments due 3rd – 4th day of the week (recommended)

● Discussion first response due 4th day of the week

● Discussion replies due 6th day of the week

● Assignment activity due 6th day of the week

● Self-quiz due 7th day of the week

Week 5: Unit 5 – Storage Management and Shell Scripting

● Watch/Read the reading assignments due 3rd – 4th day of the week (recommended)

● Discussion first response due 4th day of the week

● Discussion replies due 6th day of the week

● Assignment activity due 6th day of the week

● Self-quiz due 7th day of the week

Week 6: Unit 6 – Input / Output Management

● Watch/Read the reading assignments due 3rd – 4th day of the week (recommended)

● Discussion first response due 4th day of the week

● Discussion replies due 6th day of the week

● Self-quiz due 7th day of the week

● Graded quiz due 7th day of the week

Week 7: Unit 7 – Security and Protection

● Watch/Read the reading assignments due 3rd – 4th day of the week (recommended)

● Assignment activity due 6th day of the week

● Self-quiz due 7th day of the week

Week 8: Unit 8 – Advanced Topics and Case Studies

● Watch/Read the reading assignments due 3rd – 4th day of the week (recommended)

● Discussion first response due 4th day of the week

● Discussion replies due 6th day of the week

● Self-quiz due 7th day of the week

● Review quiz due 7th day of the week

Week 9: Unit 9 – Final Exam

● Final exam due 7th day of the week