Module Descriptors
COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE AND OPERATING SYSTEMS DESIGN
COMP40077
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 4
20 credits
Contact
Leader: Seyed Ali Sadegh Zadeh
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 28
Independent Study Hours: 30
Total Learning Hours:
Assessment
- CLASS TEST - 60 MINUTES weighted at 50%
- PRACTICAL SKILLS PORTFOLIO - 1500 WORDS weighted at 50%
Module Details
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Demonstrate clear and detailed knowledge of computer hardware components and the fundamentals of operating systems.
Knowledge and Understanding
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of operations and inter-relationships of components of computer systems.
Knowledge and Understanding
3. Analyse digital systems and justify the computer systems architecture, components and operating systems requirements.
Analysis
Problem Solving
4. Select, install and deploy operating systems in accordance with system requirements and security policies.
Application
Problem Solving
Knowledge and Understanding
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of operations and inter-relationships of components of computer systems.
Knowledge and Understanding
3. Analyse digital systems and justify the computer systems architecture, components and operating systems requirements.
Analysis
Problem Solving
4. Select, install and deploy operating systems in accordance with system requirements and security policies.
Application
Problem Solving
ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Multichoice online class test 50%
The test is related to core digital computer hardware knowledge and fundamentals of an operating systems (Learning Outcomes 1 and 2).
Practical skills portfolio 50%
A portfolio document demonstrating your ability to design, install, commission and manage an operating system for a given scenario. This tests your knowledge and understanding via practical demonstration of skills gained throughout the module, considering the use of a range of operating systems to problem solve practical tasks. (Learning Outcomes 3 and 4).
Assessing aspects of the following KSBs from the CSTP Apprenticeship Standard:
K4: Computer architecture, digital logic, machine level representation of data
S4: Build test and debug a digital system to a specification
K5: Operating System principles, architectures, features, mechanisms, security features and exploits
S5: Configure an Operating System in accordance with security policy. Identify threats and features
B8: Analytical and critical thinking skills for Technology Solutions development and can systematically analyse and apply structured problem-solving techniques to complex systems and situations.
B10: Can conduct effective research, using literature and other media.
B11: Logical thinking and creative approach to problem solving.
The test is related to core digital computer hardware knowledge and fundamentals of an operating systems (Learning Outcomes 1 and 2).
Practical skills portfolio 50%
A portfolio document demonstrating your ability to design, install, commission and manage an operating system for a given scenario. This tests your knowledge and understanding via practical demonstration of skills gained throughout the module, considering the use of a range of operating systems to problem solve practical tasks. (Learning Outcomes 3 and 4).
Assessing aspects of the following KSBs from the CSTP Apprenticeship Standard:
K4: Computer architecture, digital logic, machine level representation of data
S4: Build test and debug a digital system to a specification
K5: Operating System principles, architectures, features, mechanisms, security features and exploits
S5: Configure an Operating System in accordance with security policy. Identify threats and features
B8: Analytical and critical thinking skills for Technology Solutions development and can systematically analyse and apply structured problem-solving techniques to complex systems and situations.
B10: Can conduct effective research, using literature and other media.
B11: Logical thinking and creative approach to problem solving.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Computer number systems and machine level representation of data- Base systems and data representation namely: binary, hex, octal, IEEE floating point notation, ASCII and Unicode representation, and assembly level machine organisation
Computer Architectures including, Von-Neumann Architecture, Harvard Architecture
CPU: Architectures and Fetch and execute cycle
Memory organisation, Memory hierarchy, Virtual Memory
Bus interfaces: standard connection of external hardware
Storage devices operation and design
Display and Graphical design: displays methods OLED etc., graphics buffering, GPU’s and data compression methods
virtualised architectures
Future emerging technologies - Quantum Computing, Organic Computing
Fundamentals of operating systems (OS)
Design principles behind common operating systems including Windows and UNIX derivatives
Mobile Focused OS (e.g. Android and iOS)
Installation, commissioning of common operating systems
Monitoring and maintaining common operating systems
Security consideration within operating systems
Alternative platform computing (e.g. PowerPC, ARM and Micro Controllers)
On demand computing such as AWS EC2 or Azure AVM
This module will support the development and assessment of the following KSBs from the CSTP Apprenticeship Standard:
K4: Computer architecture, digital logic, machine level representation of data
S4: Build test and debug a digital system to a specification
K5: Operating System principles, architectures, features, mechanisms, security features and exploits
S5: Configure an Operating System in accordance with security policy. Identify threats and features
B8: Analytical and critical thinking skills for Technology Solutions development and can systematically analyse and apply structured problem-solving techniques to complex systems and situations.
B10: Can conduct effective research, using literature and other media.
B11: Logical thinking and creative approach to problem solving.
Computer Architectures including, Von-Neumann Architecture, Harvard Architecture
CPU: Architectures and Fetch and execute cycle
Memory organisation, Memory hierarchy, Virtual Memory
Bus interfaces: standard connection of external hardware
Storage devices operation and design
Display and Graphical design: displays methods OLED etc., graphics buffering, GPU’s and data compression methods
virtualised architectures
Future emerging technologies - Quantum Computing, Organic Computing
Fundamentals of operating systems (OS)
Design principles behind common operating systems including Windows and UNIX derivatives
Mobile Focused OS (e.g. Android and iOS)
Installation, commissioning of common operating systems
Monitoring and maintaining common operating systems
Security consideration within operating systems
Alternative platform computing (e.g. PowerPC, ARM and Micro Controllers)
On demand computing such as AWS EC2 or Azure AVM
This module will support the development and assessment of the following KSBs from the CSTP Apprenticeship Standard:
K4: Computer architecture, digital logic, machine level representation of data
S4: Build test and debug a digital system to a specification
K5: Operating System principles, architectures, features, mechanisms, security features and exploits
S5: Configure an Operating System in accordance with security policy. Identify threats and features
B8: Analytical and critical thinking skills for Technology Solutions development and can systematically analyse and apply structured problem-solving techniques to complex systems and situations.
B10: Can conduct effective research, using literature and other media.
B11: Logical thinking and creative approach to problem solving.
WEB DESCRIPTOR
You will consolidate your understanding of computing hardware components and operating systems and will be able to commission a digital system considering several typical operating systems including Windows and Unix derivative OS as used within your chosen field. You will consider others from the ever-increasing alternatives to the traditional x86 computing operating systems too. A key focus will be commissioning a system to meet the required security policy.
LEARNING STRATEGIES
This module will be delivered in a blended learning mode consisting of face-to-face, online and guided learning sessions.
Teaching sessions will blend theory and practical learning, and most importantly where possible will seek to be contextualised in your workplace as part of your apprenticeship. You will be introduced to curriculum concepts and ideas and will then be able to apply theory to practical examples. In addition, you will be provided with a range of resources for independent study such as case studies, academic papers and industry case studies. There will be a mixture of practical and theoretical formative (mock or practice) exercises which will help you build knowledge and confidence in preparation for summative (formal) assessment.
The delivery will be delivered as follows:
Module Launch week: 12 hours.
There will be a module launch week with up to 12 hours of face-to-face contact time devoted to developing your understanding of the core purpose and assessment of the module. You will be presented with details of how the learning will be structured and how to access to the learning materials for the remainder of the module.
Structured Learning Sessions: 15 hours
Following the module launch week you will have a further 15 hours of attendance-based contact time as a class with the module team. This will typically be as 10 x 1.5-hour online classes. Classes which will be a combination of activities including lectures, demonstrations, discussions, tutorials and seminars. Some sessions maybe in flipped classroom style, where you will be expected to watch online recordings, read materials or respond to practical activities in preparation for active engagement with problem solving in the online session.
1:1 Progress Checks: 1 hour
As a Blended Learner understanding your progress can be a challenge so you are allocated an hour of 1:1 time with your tutor (typically 3 x 20-minute meetings). Some of these may be in small groups if appropriate. These sessions may be used to discuss key topics, troubleshoot solutions, review working drafts etc.
Assignment Development: Time 30 hours
A typical assignment will take you a minimum 30 hours to complete.
This module includes 58 off-the-job (OTJ) training hours as standard, covering new learning funded by the apprenticeship levy. A total 200 nominal learning hours has been attributed to this module, incorporating OTJ training alongside broader academic development beyond levy-funded new learning.
Teaching sessions will blend theory and practical learning, and most importantly where possible will seek to be contextualised in your workplace as part of your apprenticeship. You will be introduced to curriculum concepts and ideas and will then be able to apply theory to practical examples. In addition, you will be provided with a range of resources for independent study such as case studies, academic papers and industry case studies. There will be a mixture of practical and theoretical formative (mock or practice) exercises which will help you build knowledge and confidence in preparation for summative (formal) assessment.
The delivery will be delivered as follows:
Module Launch week: 12 hours.
There will be a module launch week with up to 12 hours of face-to-face contact time devoted to developing your understanding of the core purpose and assessment of the module. You will be presented with details of how the learning will be structured and how to access to the learning materials for the remainder of the module.
Structured Learning Sessions: 15 hours
Following the module launch week you will have a further 15 hours of attendance-based contact time as a class with the module team. This will typically be as 10 x 1.5-hour online classes. Classes which will be a combination of activities including lectures, demonstrations, discussions, tutorials and seminars. Some sessions maybe in flipped classroom style, where you will be expected to watch online recordings, read materials or respond to practical activities in preparation for active engagement with problem solving in the online session.
1:1 Progress Checks: 1 hour
As a Blended Learner understanding your progress can be a challenge so you are allocated an hour of 1:1 time with your tutor (typically 3 x 20-minute meetings). Some of these may be in small groups if appropriate. These sessions may be used to discuss key topics, troubleshoot solutions, review working drafts etc.
Assignment Development: Time 30 hours
A typical assignment will take you a minimum 30 hours to complete.
This module includes 58 off-the-job (OTJ) training hours as standard, covering new learning funded by the apprenticeship levy. A total 200 nominal learning hours has been attributed to this module, incorporating OTJ training alongside broader academic development beyond levy-funded new learning.
TEXTS
Kerrisk, M. (2024) The Linux Programming Interface: A Linux and UNIX System Programming Handbook. Updated edn. San Francisco: No Starch Press.
Vahalia, U. (2024) UNIX Internals: The New Frontiers. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Coulouris, G., Dollimore, J. & Kindberg, T. (2023) Distributed Systems: Concepts and Design. 6th edn. Harlow: Pearson Education.
Love, R. (2023) Linux System Programming. 2nd edn. Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly Media.
Tanenbaum, A. S. & Bos, H. (2023) Modern Operating Systems. 5th edn. New York: Pearson.
Matthews, S.J., Newhall, T. and Webb, K.C. (2022) Dive into Systems: A Gentle Introduction to Computer Systems. 1st edn. New York: No Starch Press.
Elahi, A. (2022), Computer Systems: Digital Design, Fundamentals of Computer Architecture and ARM Assembly Language, Springer; 2nd ed.
Hausenblas, M. (2022), Learning Modern Linux: A Handbook for the Cloud Native Practitioner, O'Reilly Media, Inc, USA
Comer, D. (2020), Operating System Design: The Xinu Approach, Second Edition, Chapman and Hall/CRC
Hussain, M, Q. (2022), A Journey in Creating an Operating System Kernel: The 539kernel Book, Independently published
Gerofi, B. et. al. (2019), Operating Systems for Supercomputers and High-Performance Computing: 1 (High-Performance Computing Series, 1), Springer; 1st ed.
Vahalia, U. (2024) UNIX Internals: The New Frontiers. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Coulouris, G., Dollimore, J. & Kindberg, T. (2023) Distributed Systems: Concepts and Design. 6th edn. Harlow: Pearson Education.
Love, R. (2023) Linux System Programming. 2nd edn. Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly Media.
Tanenbaum, A. S. & Bos, H. (2023) Modern Operating Systems. 5th edn. New York: Pearson.
Matthews, S.J., Newhall, T. and Webb, K.C. (2022) Dive into Systems: A Gentle Introduction to Computer Systems. 1st edn. New York: No Starch Press.
Elahi, A. (2022), Computer Systems: Digital Design, Fundamentals of Computer Architecture and ARM Assembly Language, Springer; 2nd ed.
Hausenblas, M. (2022), Learning Modern Linux: A Handbook for the Cloud Native Practitioner, O'Reilly Media, Inc, USA
Comer, D. (2020), Operating System Design: The Xinu Approach, Second Edition, Chapman and Hall/CRC
Hussain, M, Q. (2022), A Journey in Creating an Operating System Kernel: The 539kernel Book, Independently published
Gerofi, B. et. al. (2019), Operating Systems for Supercomputers and High-Performance Computing: 1 (High-Performance Computing Series, 1), Springer; 1st ed.
RESOURCES
Standard windows PC with a virtual environment system to allow create/destruction of a range of OSs
Cloud provider resources such as AWS or Azure
Cloud provider resources such as AWS or Azure