CSI 450 - Operating Systems
Instructor: Dr. Shaun D. Ramsey 
Email: sramsey2@washcoll.edu
Website: http://shaunramsey.com/450
Phone: (410)810-7485 
Office: DUNN N102

Text: Operating System Concepts by Silberschatz, Galvin and Gagne

Office Hours: Tu/Th 12:00, W 2:30

Tentative Exam Dates: 2/17 and 3/31. The final in its given slot.

Grade Breakdown: 2 Exams 25% each, Final Exam: 25%, 
      Quizzes, Classwork, Homework 25%

Overview: Operating systems (OS) are an important component in any
computer system. In specific, operating systems are resposible for
resource management, abstraction, protection, security and user
handling. In this course we will cover basic OS structures, processes,
threads, and CPU scheduling. Advanced OS concepts such as
synchronization, deadlock, and memory will also be covered.

Exams: The final exam will be administered during its scheduled slot
during final exam week. An absence on the day of the exam will result
in a grade of 0. Except in cases of very extreme emergency, exams must
be taken on the day the exam is given.  Before a make-up test is
scheduled, documentation of the extreme emergency must be
given. Make-up exams for tests missed due to an extreme emergency will
be arranged for a time that is mutually convenient for the student and
Dr. Ramsey.

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory in this course. On your sixth
absence, you automatically fail the course. As a matter of courtesy,
you are expected to notify Dr. Ramsey before class describing the
reason of your absence. You must be present on the day of an exam/quiz
or you will receive a 0.  There is no distinction between excused and
unexcused absences. It is quite likely that I will email you to
discuss the reasons you have missed the class, but it is ultimately
your duty to keep track of your absences and to contact me. Missing a
class may result in missed classwork and/or quizzes.  There are no
make-up quizzes or classwork. It is your responsibility to obtain
assigned homework, announcements and class notes from a classmate.
Coming late to class will also count against you. In this case, every
two late arrivals count as an absence. Thus you fail the course with
12 lates or 6 absences or some combination.

Grading: Late homework (and programming that does not compile) will
receive a 0. Homework is due by the beginning of class on the day it
is due. If you miss an assignment, you should always make up the work
for consideration, review and mark up.

Academic Honesty: You are always subject to the Honor Code of
Washington College. Always sign the honor code on materials that you
hand in to me. All work must be your own.

Accommodations: If you have an accommodation that has been reported to
the college, please let me know as soon as possible so I can work to
meet your accommodation. To receive your accommodation, you must notify
me at least two weeks prior to the requirement.


General Schedule and Readings:
Week 1: OS Intro and structures
Week 2: Processes, PCB, 
Week 3: Fork, Systems Programming, Linux commands
Week 4: Threads
Week 5: Exam, Review
Week 6: Shared Memory, MPI 
Week 7; Shared Memory, MPI (cont)
Week 8: CPU Scheduling
Week 9: signals, algorithms, measurements
Week 10: Exam, Review 
Week 11: Process Synch, semaphores, monitors
Week 12: Process Synch (cont)
Week 13: Deadlock
Week 14: Deadlock (cont)
Week 15: Case Study