CSC 4420 - Computer Operating Systems

Every Winter, Department of Computer Science, Wayne State University, 2026

📅 Term: Winter 2026

⏰ Time: MW 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM

👥 Office Hours: MW 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | 14th Floor, 5057 Woodward Ave

Course Description

The operating system is an essential software layer for various computing devices. This course covers modern operating systems' basic components and design principles - including process & thread, CPU scheduling, memory management, file systems, and more. Students also gain hands-on programming experience using Linux system calls and design and implement a cloud-based file system.

Course Objectives

OS Principles

Understand OS primitives, design concepts, responsibilities, and impacts on real-world computing problems.

Comprehensive Understanding

Develop a thorough understanding of OS primitives - design concepts, algorithms, pros and cons, and relevant computing tasks.

Programming Skills

Enhance programming skills and improve software efficiency by accommodating OS behaviors and mechanisms.

Security & Vulnerabilities

Extend OS knowledge to computer vulnerabilities and security protections.

Topics

Process & CPU

OS Foundation
Interfaces & System Calls
Processes and Threads
Process Synchronization
CPU Scheduling
Recent Topics in CPU & GPU

Memory & Storage

Memory Management
Recent Topics in Memory
File System
Recent Topics in Storage

Systems & Networking

I/O Deadlocks
Cloud and Virtualization
Distributed Computing

Security

OS Security

Grading Policy

40%

Mid-term & Final Exams
(lecture-based)

50%

In-laboratory Assignments

10%

Attendance
+10% bonus for both lectures/week

A 90–100%

A- 85–89%

B+ 80–84%

B 75–79%

B- 70–74%

C+ 65–69%

C 62–64%

C- 60–61%

D 55–59%

F 0–54%

Lab Sessions

Labs are dedicated to hands-on practice. 100% lab attendance is required - assignments are completed in-session. Lectures focus on theory and conceptual deep dives; attend at least one per week.

Warming Up

4–6 introductory labs to familiarize with core OS concepts.

Security Awareness

2–3 security labs for a deeper understanding of OS vulnerabilities.

Enhancing Experience

1 project on file system concepts. Vibe coding allowed.

Future Preparation

Exposure to an entry-level memory-safe language (e.g., Rust) to prepare for future opportunities.

Prerequisites & Materials

Prerequisites

CSC 3100/3101 - Computer Architecture and Organization
CSC 2200/2201 - Computer Science II

Exceptions granted by instructor permission only.
Co-requisite: CSC 4420 Laboratory (must enroll in lab).

Textbook

Modern Operating Systems
Andrew S. Tanenbaum, 5th Edition, Pearson, 2022

References

Operating System Concepts, 8th Ed., Wiley, 2008
Understanding the Linux Kernel, 3rd Ed., O'Reilly, 2005
Advanced UNIX Programming, 2nd Ed., Pearson, 2004
Advanced Programming in the UNIX Environment, Addison-Wesley, 1992

Policies

AI Policy

Partially allowed upon approval. Detailed instructions will be given with each assignment.

Academic Integrity

All forms of academic misbehavior are prohibited. Refer to the WSU Student Code of Conduct.

Laptop Required

A laptop or computer is required to run a Linux virtual machine for lab assignments.

Disability Services

Rhongho Jang