Module description
Aims and Learning Outcomes
To explain how the internal structure of operating systems is designed and implemented for management of resources and provision of services.
By the end of the course you will be able to describe the basic principles used in the design of modern operating systems and be able to explain some of the basic features necessary to support a modern operating system.
On successful completion of this module, students will:
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Process and thread creation and management
- Communication in processes and threads
- Process synchronisation and deadlocks
- Memory-management strategies
- Protection and security
Be able to:
- Understand and implement programs which accomplish simple tasks such as process and thread creation, communication and synchronisation
Delivery notes:
Students study a range of topics in Operating Systems and Concurrent Programming.
The fifth learning outcome is interpreted broadly to give an introduction to encryption and other security topics, as the final year security modules are optional.
Syllabus
An indication of types of topic:
Introduction to operating systems
Processes
- Process Concepts
- Process Scheduling
- Operations on Processes
- Inter-process Communication
Threads
- Multithreading Models
- Java Threads
- Threading issues
Process Synchronization
- The critical-section problem
- Peterson’s Solution
- Synchronization Hardware
- Semaphores
- Classical Problems of Synchronization
- Monitors
- Java Synchronization
Deadlocks
- System Model
- Deadlock Characterization
- Methods for Handling Deadlocks
- Deadlock Prevention
- Deadlock Avoidance
- Deadlock Detection
- Recovery from Deadlock
Main Memory
- Swapping
- Contiguous Memory Allocation
- Paging
- Structure of the Page Table
- Segmentation
Virtual Memory
- Demand Paging
- Page replacement
- Allocation of Frames
- Thrashing
Protection
- Goals of Protection
- Principles of Protection
- Domain of Protection
- Access Matrix
- Access Control
- Revocation of Access Rights
- Language-Based Protection
Assessment details
Please note: The below assessment details for the 2025/26 academic year may be updated. The confirmed details will be available on the Student Handbook and on the module KEATS page at the beginning of the semester.
- 70% Examination
- 30% Coursework