CS2ONNU: Operating Systems and Computer Networking

Module code: CS2ONNU

Module provider: Computer Science; School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: 5

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Hong Wei , email: h.wei@reading.ac.uk

NUIST module lead: Chuande Liu, email: liuchuande@nuist.edu.cn

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides a foundational understanding of modern operating systems and computer networks. It consists of two parts, 1) Operating Systems offers an overview of operating systems, including their history, development, and core functionalities. It covers key components, associated algorithms, and security measures for operating system protection; and 2) Computer Networking introduces fundamental networking theories and their real-world applications in computer communications. It also explores network security and preventive measures.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Apply the concepts and structure of an secured operating system, compare various CPU (Central Processing Unit) scheduling algorithms;
2. Understand the differences between segmented and paged memories, compare polled, interrupt-driven, and DMA-based access to I/O devices;
3. Apply the core concepts and knowledge of secured network architecture, communication protocols; and
4. Implement the concepts with security measures incorporated in real world network applications.

Module content

The module covers the following topics:

Operating Systems

• Introduction to operating systems Structure
• Process concepts, lifecycle, process management, inter-process communication
• Scheduling fundamentals, CPU-I/O interleaving, (non-) pre-emption, context switching
• Scheduling algorithms: FCFS, SJF, SRTF, priority scheduling, round robin

Memory Management and File System

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• File management
• Directory and storage, hierarchies, and access control

Input and Output

• General structure
• Application I/O interface
• Block and character devices
• Buffering
• Blocking versus non-blocking I/O

OS Security and Protection

• Protection domain
• Authentication

Core concepts of network architecture and communication protocols

• Framework of multi-tier architectures
• Ethernet protocols; Internetworking
• Local Area Networking (LAN) routing
• Error, congestion, and flow control

Network technologies ranging from local area networks to the Internet

• Ethernet with TCP/IP
• IP addressing; Routing protocols
• Congestion control schemes within the Internet

Core Internet applications

• Email, web serving and name resolution

Wireless network

• Wireless and Ad Hoc network
• Wireless links and Characteristics
• Wireless LAN
• Cellular Internet Access

Network Security

• Concepts of symmetric and asymmetric key cryptography
• Authentication Protocols
• Firewalls
• Intrusion Detection

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

 The module is delivered via lectures, and lab sessions throughout the semester. 

Study hours

At least 46 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Weekly interactive lab practical sessions will be used for students to receive feed forward and  feed back comments in relation to enhance problem solving.

Reassessment

Additional costs