CS241-15 Operating Systems and Computer Networks

Academic year
24/25
Department
Computer Science
Level
Undergraduate Level 2
Module leader
Arpan Mukhopadhyay
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
Multiple
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

Introductory description

To introduce the fundamental concepts of modern day operating systems and computer networks.

Module aims

To introduce the fundamental concepts of modern day operating systems and computer networks.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

50% of the module is on operating systems, and 50% is on computer networks.
Topics on operating systems include functions of operating systems and computer networks, system interfaces, process management, concurrency, low level IPC, high level IPC, deadlock detection and recovery, and memory management.
Topics on networks include models of communication (TCP IP protocol stack), LANs (topologies, polling, CSMA systems, Ethernet, bridging, switching), WANs (topologies, packet / circuit switching, routing algorithms, ), client-server systems, socket programming, network management issues (performance, security, monitoring), UDP, TCP reliable data transfer, flow control, congestion control, IP addressing, Internet routing algorithms

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

Indicative reading list

Please see Talis aspire link for most up to date list.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

  1. Design low level system software
  2. Implement networking protocols
  3. Design simple operating systems

Transferable skills

  1. Problem solving
  2. System design and organisation

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 30 sessions of 1 hour (20%)
Practical classes 6 sessions of 1 hour (4%)
Private study 114 hours (76%)
Total 150 hours

Private study description

Reading the course material
Solving problems
Programming
Revision

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.

Assessment group D3
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Programming Assignment 20% Yes (extension)

The programming assignment will test your knowledge of C programming, various OS concepts (such as multithreading, synchronisation, memory management), and various CN concepts (such as layering of the IP protocol stack, packet structures) .

This assessment is eligible for self-certification (extension).

In-person Examination 80% No

A paper which examines the course content and ensures learning outcomes are achieved.


  • Answerbook Gold (24 page)
  • Students may use a calculator
Assessment group R2
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
In-person Examination - Resit 100% No

Resit Exam


  • Answerbook Gold (24 page)
  • Students may use a calculator
Feedback on assessment

Feedback on coursework via Tabula

Past exam papers for CS241

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 2 of UCSA-G500 Undergraduate Computer Science
  • UCSA-G503 Undergraduate Computer Science MEng
    • Year 2 of G500 Computer Science
    • Year 2 of G503 Computer Science MEng
  • Year 2 of UCSA-I1N1 Undergraduate Computer Science with Business Studies
  • Year 2 of UCSA-G406 Undergraduate Computer Systems Engineering
  • Year 2 of UCSA-G408 Undergraduate Computer Systems Engineering

This module is Option list B for:

  • Year 2 of UCSA-G4G1 Undergraduate Discrete Mathematics
  • Year 2 of UCSA-G4G3 Undergraduate Discrete Mathematics