CSC 314: Operating Systems

Spring 2007

 

Instructor:

          Lori Carter

                lcarter@ptloma.edu

                (619) 849-2352

 

Office hours:

MWF 12:30-1:30

            T Th  8:30-10:00, 12:30-1:30, 2:30-3:00

 

Texts:

          Silbershatz et.al, Operating System Concepts with Java, 6th edition

Andersen, Paul, Just Enough Unix, Fifth edition

 

Course Objectives:

This course has two main objectives.

1.        To cover the principles of operating systems, including topics such as process management, device management, memory management and distributed systems.

 

2.        To present the Unix/Linux operating systems in such a way that the student becomes a competent user. The “language immersion” method will be used.

 

Course Organization:

          Lectures:  Cover the highlights of chapters assigned – not a substitute for reading.

               

Homework and Quizzes:  Homework will be assigned frequently, and will be graded in class the day it is due. Most of the problems will come from the book, but supplementary problems can be expected as well. Occasionally, I will give a quiz on a topic I am particularly concerned about you understanding. These will be announced. If you will miss a quiz for a school function, you must arrange to take the quiz in advance.

 

Midterms:  There will be 2 midterm exams. The first will cover chapters 1-5, as well as some Unix/Linux material. There will be a hands-on Unix/Linux component to this exam. The second midterm will cover chapters 6-10. Students anticipating missing exams due to a school function must arrange to take the exam in advance. The midterms are scheduled for Feb 9/12 and April 2.

 

Labs: Frequent labs based on the Linux operating system, from the book, Just Enough Unix and other sources. Lab sessions are mandatory. Unless otherwise stated, labs are due at the end of the class period assigned.

 

Simulation Projects:  Projects based on several of the activities required by the Operating System will be assigned.  All aspects of these projects (except presentations) must be completed using basic Linux/Unix tools (non-gui). Programs will be written in C, C++, or Java using the basic Linux Operating System (command-line) and gcc, g++ or javac compilers.   All written projects will be completed using a Linux/Unix text editor.  Any required Graphs and figures may be created using GUI-based tools (either windows or Linux).

 

Late work: No late work. The 2 lowest HW grades will be dropped.

 

Final Exam: Cumulative exam covering the same items as the midterm, with an emphasis on material covered in the last part of the semester.  Final is scheduled for Friday of finals week at 8:00 AM.

 

Attendance:

As stated in the school catalog, “ Whenever the number of accumulated absences in a class, for any cause, exceeds ten percent of classes, the faculty member sends a written report to the Associate Provost for Academic Administration which may result in de-enrollment.  If more than 20% is reported as missed, the student will automatically be de-enrolled. If the date of de-enrollment is past the last date to withdraw from a class, the student will be assigned a grade of “F” or “NC”.

 

 

Grading:                                                             

          Homework and Quizzes:                      15%       

                Labs & Simulation Projects                35%                                                                                                       

                Midterms:                                              30%        (18% and 12%)                                                                    

                Final:                                                      20%                                                                       

 

 

                Final grades will be determined as follows:

100-93% A

90-92%                   A-

87-89%                   B+

83-86%                   B

80-82%                   B-

77-79%                   C+

73-76%                   C

70-72%                   C-

67-69%                   D+

63-66%                   D

60-62%                   D-

0-59%                     F

 

 

Academic Accommodations:

All students are expected to meet the standards for this course as set by the instructor. However, students with learning disabilities who may need accommodations should discuss options with the Academic Support Center during the first two weeks of class.  The ASC will contact professors with suggested classroom needs and accommodations. Approved documentation must be on file in the ASC prior to the start of the semester.