CSci 5473: Applied Operating System
Course Information

Course Description

This course is intended to provide fundamental knowledge and practice for research and professional programmers. The class examines the design and implementation of contemporary operating systems and their components. The course has a significant laboratory component in which students gain applied practice with OS analysis, design, and implementation. Topics include operating system organization and structure, process and thread management, memory management, file management, device management for multiprogrammed, network, and distributed systems. You will be expected to write/modify Linux kernel code during the semester (using the Department's Kernel Programming Lab, or your own computer).

This course is intended for Computer Science graduate students who want to learn how contemporary operating systems (such as Linux and Windows XP) are designed and implemented. CSCI 5473 can be used to satisfy the OS breadth requirement for the MS degree. This course will be scheduled each Spring Semester.

Prerequisite

Two years of programming experience with instructor consent, or graduate standing in Computer Science.

Optional Textbook

Nutt, Operating Systems: A Modern Perspective, Third Edition. Addison Wesley, 2004.

This book will be useful if you have not previously completed an undergraduate OS course. If you have already taken an undergrad course, your textbook for that course will sometimes be a useful reference for this course.

Course Logistics

  1. There is a web page (http://www.cs.colorado.edu/~nutt/CS5473/) where information relevant to the class is kept. Be sure to browse the course web site regularly, as lots of critical information is only distributed via the web page.
  2. You are encouraged to correspond with the Instructor using electronic mail for fast turnaround. Of course you should also feel free to meet with the Instructor during office hours if you prefer face-to-face communication. If you cannot meet during scheduled office hours, make an appointment.
  3. It will be important for you to schedule your time so you submit your solutions at the time the assignment is due. Late homework will ordinarily not be accepted.
  4. The course grade will be assigned as follows: Homework, including a group project (~55%), midterm exam ~(12.5%) and a final exam (~22.5%). There will also be a subjective evaluation (~10%) based on your course citizenship (attendance, contribution, ethics, behavior, etc.). The final exam time is scheduled by the University central administration; you will not be permitted to take it at any other time without a bona fide emergency situation (having travel plans that conflict with this date does not constitute an emergency).

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