Core Module Information
Module title: Computer Systems

SCQF level: 08:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10

Module code: CSN08701
Module leader: Robert Ludwiniak
School School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
Subject area group: Cyber Security and Systems Engineering
Prerequisites

n/a

Description of module content:

Computer Architecture
You will understand the basics of computer architecture, across a wide range of technologies, ranging from embedded to desktop systems. This includes the Von Neumann architecture, CPU components and operations, instruction sets, and assembly language, as well as hardware virtualisation technologies. Implementation issues are also considered, such as logical operations, number systems, number representations, and endianness.

Operating Systems
Basic structure, components and functions of Operating Systems (OS), for example, the Kernel, scheduler, storage devices, Memory Management, drivers, File Systems, Processes and Threads, and virtualisation. The logic of programme execution will be considered, from compiler, linked, assembler, loader, to execution environment. A number of aspects of operating systems will be explored via Linux, including ps, top, /proc, and /etc . This knowledge is extended to the use of the Linux shell and practical shell scripting. Special consideration is made of the key security aspects which are available in operating systems to help provide information security and integrity.

Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:
LO1: Compare the architecture of a range of processor based systems
LO2: Compare and contrast the different approaches to system architecture including virtualisation
LO3: Describe in detail how the main components of an operating system work
LO4: Apply Linux scripting knowledge to a range of coding challenges.
LO5: Understand the principles of Operating Systems as applied to different common operating system implementations.

Full Details of Teaching and Assessment

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
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