Operating Systems

CMSC 421: Operating Systems

Spring 1996 Course Syllabus

Instructor: Dr. Howard E. Motteler
Class Time: MW 4:00-5:15, CP 210
Office Hours: MW 3:00-4:00, 5:30-6:00, ECS 225-C
Text: Modern Operating Systems, Andrew S. Tannenbaum
TA: Juan Guirao

Course Outline

         Processes               Chapter 2       3 weeks
         Memory Management       Chapter 3       3 weeks
         File Systems            Chapter 4       2 weeks
         Input/Output            Chapter 5       1 week
         Deadlocks               Chapter 6       1 week
         Distributed Systems     Chapter 9       2 weeks

All times are approximate. We will also cover the the Unix case study (Chapter 7) and sections of the DOS case study (Chapter 8) concurrently with the material listed above.

Grading

         Projects                200  points
         Midterm                 100  points
         Final                   100  points
         Homework                 90  points
         Class Participation      10  points
                                 -----------
         Total                   500  points

There are two moderate sized projects, to be done in C or C++. Projects are assigned three weeks in advance of their due dates. There are no extensions of due dates, and no incompletes, except as required by University policy. At the instructor's option partial credit may be given for late projects. Projects are turned in with a special "submit" program, and get zero points if they do not compile. Project assignments and other information relevant to the course are available on the web page for the course.

The midterm exam is given after the end of Chapter 3, the chapter on Memory Management. There are four or five homework assignments, one every two or three weeks. Class participation consists mostly of showing up, being reasonably well behaved, and at least pretending that the lectures are interesting. Students are encouraged to ask questions, both in class and during office hours.