Skip to main content
NounStudy
Back to Course Catalog
CIT211Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Introduction to Operating System

This course introduces the fundamental concepts of operating systems, covering their design and functions. It explores the evolution of operating systems and their importance in computer systems. The course delves into various types of operating systems, process management, process synchronization, and deadlock issues. Furthermore, it examines memory management functions, including paging, segmentation, and contiguous memory allocation, providing a comprehensive understanding of operating system principles and practices.

Generate AI Study Notes

Transform this course into personalized study materials with AI

150h
Study Time
13
Weeks
12h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
Operating SystemsProcess ManagementMemory ManagementDeadlocksSynchronization

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
➕
Math Level
Basic Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Operating System Fundamentals

2

Types of Operating Systems

3

Process Management

4

Process Synchronization

5

Deadlocks

6

Memory Management

Total Topics6 topics

Requirements

Knowledge and skills recommended for success

Introduction to Computer Science

Data Structures and Algorithms

💡 Don't have all requirements? Don't worry! Many students successfully complete this course with basic preparation and dedication.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Systems Programmer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Operating System Developer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Embedded Systems Engineer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Software Engineer

Apply your skills in this growing field

IT Professional

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Software DevelopmentEmbedded SystemsCloud ComputingCybersecurityData Centers

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Operating System Fundamentals

6h

Unit 1: Definition and Functions of Operating System (OS)

3 study hours
  • •Read the definition of an Operating System (OS).
  • •Identify the major functions of the OS.
  • •Understand the importance of the OS in a computer system.
  • •List the various services provided by the OS.

Unit 2: History and Evolution of Operating System

3 study hours
  • •Discuss the history and evolution of operating systems.
  • •State the basic functions of the operating system.
  • •Differentiate the various features of each generation of the operating system.
Week
2

Module 1: Operating System Fundamentals

7h

Unit 3: The Kernel

4 study hours
  • •Define the kernel.
  • •Describe the functions and responsibilities of the kernel.
  • •Explain the kernel's design philosophies and decisions.
  • •Describe the various kernel-wide design approaches.

Unit 4: Types of Operating Systems

3 study hours
  • •Categorize operating systems based on various criteria.
  • •List the basic features of each type of operating system.
  • •Distinguish between one type of operating system and another.
Week
3

Module 2: Types of Operating System

8h

Unit 1: Disk operating system

4 study hours
  • •Describe the disk operating system (DOS).
  • •List the classes of DOS.
  • •State what distinguishes the different classes of DOS.
  • •Understand the history of MS-DOS.

Unit 2: Real-time operating system

4 study hours
  • •Define and describe the real-time OS.
  • •Explain its design philosophies.
  • •Describe how it handles tasks such as memory allocation, scheduling, interrupt handling, intertask communication, etc.
  • •State how it is different from the disk OS.
  • •Give examples of RTOS.
Week
4

Module 2: Types of Operating System

5h

Unit 3: Time-Sharing and Object-oriented Operating Systems

5 study hours
  • •Explain what is meant by object-oriented OS.
  • •Compare with examples the various attempts that had been made to develop an object-oriented OS.
  • •Understand the concept of time-sharing operating systems.
Week
5

Module 3: Process Management

4h

Unit 1: Processes

4 study hours
  • •Define a process.
  • •List the possible states of a process.
  • •Describe a process control block (PCB).
  • •Describe process creation and process termination.
Week
6

Module 3: Process Management

4h

Unit 2: Co-operating Processes

4 study hours
  • •Describe the concept of co-operating processes.
  • •State reasons for allowing process co-operation.
  • •Explain interprocess communication.
  • •Describe message passing.
Week
7

Module 3: Process Management

5h

Unit 3: Threads

5 study hours
  • •Distinguish between a thread and a process.
  • •Enumerate the advantages of threads over processes.
  • •Distinguish between user and kernel threads.
  • •Describe various multithreading models and their advantages and disadvantages.
  • •State the advantages of thread pools and the motivation for thread pools.
Week
8

Module 3: Process Management

4h

Unit 4: CPU Scheduling

4 study hours
  • •Distinguish between preemptive and non-preemptive scheduling.
  • •State the goals for CPU scheduling.
  • •Give comparative analysis of the various CPU scheduling algorithms.
Week
9

Module 3: Process Management

4h

Unit 5: Algorithm Evaluation

4 study hours
  • •Describe the various CPU scheduling evaluation algorithms.
  • •Enumerate the advantages and disadvantages of each evaluation algorithm.
  • •Based on your knowledge, select the best scheduling algorithm for a particular system.
Week
10

Module 4: Process Synchronization

8h

Unit 1: Race Condition

4 study hours
  • •Define Race condition.
  • •Describe some real life examples of race condition.
  • •Describe computer security in view of race condition.

Unit 2: Synchronization

4 study hours
  • •Define process synchronization.
  • •Describe non-blocking synchronization.
  • •Explain the motivation for non-blocking synchronization.
  • •Describe various types of non-blocking synchronization algorithms.
Week
11

Module 4: Process Synchronization

8h

Unit 3: Mutual Exclusion

4 study hours
  • •Describe what you understand by mutual exclusion.
  • •Describe ways to enforce mutual exclusion.

Unit 4: Critical Section Problem

4 study hours
  • •Explain the critical section problem.
  • •State the different levels of critical section.
  • •Define semaphores and monitors.
  • •Distinguish between monitors and semaphores.
Week
12

Module 5: Deadlocks

4h

Unit 1: Deadlock Characterization

4 study hours
  • •Define deadlock.
  • •State the necessary conditions for deadlock to occur.
  • •Describe Resource-Allocation graph and explain how it can be used to describe deadlocks.
  • •Describe some of the methods for handling deadlocks.
Week
13

Module 5: Deadlocks

6h

Unit 2: Methods for Dealing with Deadlocks

6 study hours
  • •Describe deadlock prevention.
  • •Explain what is meant by deadlock avoidance.
  • •Describe Banker's algorithm and Resource-Allocation graph algorithm.
  • •Explain what is meant by safe state.
  • •Describe Deadlock lock detection algorithms and how to recover from deadlock.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

Access PDF Material

Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review all module objectives and key terms from the course guide.

2

Practice solving problems related to CPU scheduling algorithms from Unit 4.

3

Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 process synchronization and deadlock concepts.

4

Focus on understanding the differences between deadlock prevention and avoidance techniques from Module 5.

5

Study memory management algorithms from Module 6, focusing on paging and segmentation.

6

Allocate specific time slots for reviewing each module to ensure comprehensive coverage.

7

Attempt all tutor-marked assignments and review tutor feedback carefully.

8

Practice past exam questions to familiarize yourself with the exam format and question types.

Related Courses

Other courses in Sciences that complement your learning

CIT217

Foundation of Sequential Program

2 Units
ESM291

Map Analysis

2 Units
DAM212

Database Laboratory

2 Units
View All Sciences Courses