CMSC 355: Operating Systems

Welcome to CS355: Operating Systems!

A practical introduction to modern operating systems, using case studies from UNIX, MSDOS and the Macintosh. Topics include computer and OS structures, process and thread management, process synchronization and communication, resource allocations, memory management, file systems, and select examples in protection and security. This is a challenging, implementation-oriented course with a strong lab component

Students should expect to spend at 15-20 hours of work each week, including 4.5 hours or class and lab time

Learning Goals:

Learning Outcomes

The syllabus may change during the semester. Please check here every week for updates on lecture content, worksheets, and assignments.

All graded work will receive a grade, 4.0, 3.7, 3.3, 3.0, 2.7, 2.3, 2.0, 1.7, 1.3, 1.0, or 0.0. At the end of the semester, final grades will be calculated as a weighted average of all grades according to the following weights:

At Bryn Mawr, we assume students are trustworthy and work with honesty and integrity. Look here for information about Bryn Mawr’s Honor Code.. Obviously, quizzes and exams must be your own work. However, you will be allowed to work with others on assignments; although everyone must submit their own work.

Collaboration is not allowed on exams or quizzes.

Programming is a creative skill that takes practice and effort to develop. It’s essential that you develop your own skills for developing algorithms and implementing them through programs.

You are encouraged to discuss the lecture material, projects and problems with other students, subject to the following restriction: the only "product" of your discussion should be your memory/understanding of it - you may not write up solutions together, or exchange written work or computer files. Group projects are the only exceptions to this - in this case, these collaboration rules apply to students outside of your group.

Code should not be copied without permission from the author. If permission is given, code should be cited at the location it is used with a comment. If your solution is inspired by any outside resources, you MUST cite them.

You understand the code you wrote if you can do the following:

Here is advice of what has helped me the most to improve as an engineer and programmer:

I do not recommend relying on stack overflow, copying old solutions, and using Chat-GPT. The absolute worst way to program is by cutting and pasting code you don’t understand, guessing your way to something that kind of works.

I am not going to police how you study and develop skills. But I will be assessing you on the results of your effort. If you’re not doing well, you need to figure out how to work differently.

Guidelines:

It’s ultimately up to you to learn and develop skills. No one can do it for you. You must do the work.

Classes will be recorded and close-captioned. Links to lectures will be posted on the class slack.

To receive an accommodation for a course activity (such as more time on quizzes and exams), you must have an Accommodation Letter from the Office of Student Disability Services and you need to contact us to work out the details of your accommodation at least two weeks prior to the activity. Forms can be emailed to me, the instructor.

You are also welcome to contact us privately to discuss your academic needs. However, all disability-related accommodations must be arranged, in advance, through Student Disability Services. Also note that accommodations are not retroactive and require advance notice to implement. More information can be obtained at the Access Services website. (http://www.brynmawr.edu/access-services/)

Lectures and labs will have a mask-friendly policy. All are welcome to wear a mask if they so wish, but no one is mandated to wear a mask.

If you are symptomatic (coughing, sore throat, or running nose), please either stay at home or come into campus with a mask. Lectures will be recorded so they can be watched later. Missed lab activities and quizzes will have their grade credit transferred to the final.

Bryn Mawr/Haverford College is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive living and learning environment where all can feel secure and free from harassment. All forms of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, domestic violence, and dating violence are violations of Bryn Mawr/Haverford’s policies, whether they occur on or off campus. Bryn Mawr/Haverford faculty are committed to helping to create a safe learning environment for all students and for the College community as a whole. If you have experienced any form of gender or sex-based discrimination, harassment, or violence, know that help and support are available. Staff members are trained to support students in navigating campus life, accessing health and counseling services, providing academic and housing accommodations, and more.

The College strongly encourages all students to report any incidents of sexual misconduct. Please be aware that all Bryn Mawr/Haverford employees (other than those designated as confidential resources such as counselors, clergy, and healthcare providers) are required to report information about such discrimination and harassment to the Bi-College Title IX Coordinator.

Information about the College’s Sexual Misconduct policy, reporting options, and a list of campus and local resources can be found on the College’s website:

Bryn Mawr Sexual Misconduct Policy

Haverford Sexual Misconduct Policy