Computer Systems

• Credit value: 15 credits at Level 7
• Convenor: Dr Jan Hidders
• Assessment: an online quiz (10%) and two-hour examination (90%)

In this module you will learn the basics of computer architecture and organisation, and the role and mechanism of operating systems.

Indicative syllabus

• Introduction: computer architecture (CA) and operating system (OS) overview
• Processors
• Processes and threads
• Concurrency
• Memory management
• I/O and file systems
• Protection and security
• Distributed and parallel processing
  

By the end of this module, you will:

• understand what computers do and how they achieve this
• understand the complexity of computer systems
• use different levels of abstraction that are needed for distinguishing between policy and mechanism, efficiency and fairness, centralised and distributed approaches, static and dynamic phenomena
• understand the basic paradigms for designing computer systems and how design influences performance
• understand the dynamic nature of processes and use algorithms for scheduling, synchronisation, communication, allocation
• use your knowledge of the principles of computer systems for clear design and efficient implementation of larger applications
• use your experience with specific computer organisations and operating systems to enhance your ability to work in IT.