Module: Introduction to Operating Systems

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Introduction to Operating Systems
Module Code	CSC1011 (ITS: CA170)
Faculty	Computing	School	Engineering & Computing
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This modules aims to introduce students to:Operating systems history and changing rolesOperating systems types and designsOperating systems management and system administration

Learning Outcomes

1. Interpret an operating system as a resource manager
2. Interpret an operating system as an extended machine
3. Relate the operating system to users, applications and hardware
4. Describe the major functional requirements of an operating system
5. Compare and classify operating system types
6. Explain how and why host capabilities influence operating system design
7. Discuss the merits of virtualisation and virtual machines
8. Demonstrate basic system administration skills
9. Write script to automate basic system administration skills

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Tutorial	12	No Description
Laboratory	24	No Description
Independent Study	65	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20130	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Mark Humphrys	Module Teacher	Andrew Mccarren, Denise Freir

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Digital Project	System administration skills and scripts	100%	Every Second Week

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

- Operating systems history
vacuum tubes, batch systems, multiprogramming and PC's- The operating system as a resource manager and as an extended machine- Operating systems concepts including: process management, scheduling, memory management and addres

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Tanenbaum, A.: 0, Modern Operating Systems, Pearson/Prentice Hall, 9780138134594

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None