Operating System Principles
CS326 Spring, 2027, Syllabus

More course info Introduction | Instructor | Grading | Course Policies | Lecture Schedule

INTRODUCTION

Section INA TR 1-2:15 Teams

OBJECTIVE

From Wilkes University Bulletin:

Analysis of the computer operating systems including Batch, Timesharing, and Realtime systems. Topics include sequential and concurrent processes, processor and storage management, resource protection, processor multiplexing, and handling of interrupts from peripheral devices.

Outcomes

Life-long learning/professional growth
Creative problem solving, and constructive reasoning
Use of computers in problems and design
Ethical standards & professionalism
Program in a high level imperative language
Top Down Design / Structured Programming
Define information system requirements and needs
Internal hardware structure (computer architecture)
Concepts of distributed computer systems
Concepts of high level language to machine language translation
Concepts of theoretical computer science
Machine level language concepts and instruction set

Common Core Program Outcomes (Applicable to CS/CLCO/DS Majors):

SLO #1 Programming proficiency: Demonstrate proficiency in at least two programming languages, using design principles to solve problems.

SLO #2 Teamwork and Ethics: Work effectively within a team, communicate clearly, and navigate ethical and societal issues.

SLO #3 Self-study Capability: Utilize self-directed learning resources for problem-solving.

SLO #4 Professional Preparedness: Preparedness for employment in the field, demonstrated through capstone project quality and employment outcomes.

Computer Science (BA/BS) Specific Outcome:

SLO #5 Discipline Outcome: Solid understanding of core concepts (data structures, algorithms, databases, networking, communication, security, parallel/distributed computing).

Projects

Through the projects, you will be given a complete picture of process control, interprocess communication/deadlock, and multitasking/multithreading in the Unix environment.

PREREQUISITES

CS245

TEXT

Operating Systems Internals and Design Principles, by William Stallings, 9th edition.

COMPUTING

You will need to use groot.mathcs.wilkes.edu during the course, so you must know your user name and password.

INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Barbara Bracken, barbara.bracken@wilkes.edu

Office Hours

No formal office hours will be held. If you need assistance or would like to have a discussion outside of class. Notify me. I will look up your schedule and arrange a time to meet via Teams. I will make myself available whenever needed.

GRADING

Note: Grade Distribution.

Your course grade is distributed as:

Quizzes: discussed under course policies
33% Average of semester exams
20% Cumulative Final Exam
47% Projects

Pipes: 5%
Single Producer/Single Consumer: 8%
ArmWrestler: 10%
Messages - There was an oldlady : 11%
Signals 13% (1% Deliverable 1, 10% Deliverable 2, and 2% Deliverable 3)
In order to pass the class, you must achieve an average of at least 68% average on your projects regardless of your total course grade

Grades will be assigned based on the following scale:

         >= 93 , A = 4.0
         87-92, B+ = 3.5
         81-86, B = 3.0
         75-80, C+ = 2.5
         69-74, C = 2.0
         63-68, C- = 1.5
         57-62, D =   1.0
         < 56 , F = 0.0

This information can be used at any time to compute your grade. Please do so throughout the semester to avoid any surprises at the end of the semester.

COURSE POLICIES

Late Assignments (this policy will be strictly enforced) :

Work will not be accepted late!!!! All assignments for the semester have been available starting with the first day of class. Learn to plan ahead. In industry, if you don't get your work done on time, it has a significant impact on the person who is depending on it to get their work done.

Academic Honesty. All work must be your own. It is unacceptable to copy any code from the WWW or use AI sources to generate your code. It is unacceptable to give code or get code from another student.

Exams: There will be three or four exams and a comprehensive final. There are no make ups for exams.

You may be responsible for material in the textbook not covered in class. This will be announced in class.

Incorrect Grades: If a grade needs to be adjusted, you MUST see me no later than two weeks after the return of the assignment or exam.
AttendanceAttendance will be taken at the beginning of every class. One unexcused absence will be allowed. Excused absences will be very rare. Simply emailing me you are not coming to class does not constitute an excuse. Excuses will only be granted with appropriate documentation. For every unexcused absence beyond one, your grade will be reduced by 3 percent. If you come to class late, after attendance is taken, will make no effort to correct my attendance record.

TardinessAttendance is taken at the beginning of class.

You must have your camera on.

Class Assignments.Homework is not part of your grade. However, several times throughout the semester, you will be asked to work on a problem outside of class and be prepared to discuss your solution in the next class. Preparing outside of class is very important to the quality of the class discussion and for your understanding of the material. If any class members come to class unprepared, the assignment will become an in-class quiz. At the end of the semester, the percentages of the exams will be adjusted to add in the quiz grade.

LECTURE SCHEDULE

The course lecture schedule is maintained as a separate document.

This page is maintained by Barbara Bracken Barbara Bracken Last Modified 9/29/2026 12:52 PM

Operating System Principles CS326 Spring, 2027, Syllabus