Accessibility statement

Systems & Devices 2: System Software & Security - COM00021I

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  • Department: Computer Science
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

System Software and Security

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations

  • None

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

The module builds on Systems and Devices 1 by examining the system software that executes upon a computer system in order that the resources of the system can be shared by multiple programmes and users. One important aspect is how basic security and protection mechanisms are provided by the processor and memory system. The approach is to examine system software in terms of operating systems and how they exploit features of the computer hardware to allow multiple programmes to share the same platform securely. This will also involve aspects of programming time sliced concurrent systems, for example processes. Throughout, the module will consider practical examples based on computer systems used today.

Module learning outcomes

S201

Demonstrate application programming of OS-supported concurrency, communication and I/O. Show how the structure of the OS is supported by computer hardware, with specific reference to the hardware features that extend the basic systems introduced in S&D1.

S202

Use basic resource management mechanisms provided by common OSes, including time and memory.

S203

Demonstrate use of the memory protection mechanisms provided by hardware and OSes, including memory mapped I/O.

S204

Demonstrate use of the information security provided by the OS in terms of file systems.

S205

Demonstrate concurrent programming at the process level and show how it is supported by, and implemented on, the system hardware.

S206

Learn to recognise and avoid issues of deadlock, livelock, and starvation.

Module content

*** J.Hennessy, D.Patterson Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach (2nd Edition) Morgan Kaufmannn 1990

*** W.Stallings Computer Organization and Architecture: Design For Performance (8th Edition) Pearson 2010

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 100

Module feedback

Feedback is provided through work in practical sessions, and after the final assessment as per normal University guidelines.

Indicative reading

*** J.Hennessy, D.Patterson Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach (2nd Edition) Morgan Kaufmannn 1990

*** W.Stallings Computer Organization and Architecture: Design For Performance (8th Edition) Pearson 2010


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.