Syllabus: WBIT 3500 Architecture and Operating Systems - Fall 2011 - Angkul
Kongmunvattana
Assessment Deadline Policies (Late Work)
Don't procrastinate! No late assignments will be accepted.
It is my strict policy not to accept late assignments. Exceptions will be
made only under the most dire of circumstances. Note, however, that I
am generous with partial credits, so turn in what you have.
Proctored Exams
There is no proctored exam in this class.
Important Dates
Please see http://www.gawebbsit.org/admin/importantdates.htm for
important WebBSIT dates.
Section Information: Fall 2011 - Angkul Kongmunvattana
Course Name
WBIT 3500 Architecture and Operating Systems
Course Objectives/Outcomes/Goals
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Identify basic computer hardware components

Describe basic computer organization

Discuss the technological advances of computer architecture
hardware

Explain computer operating system concepts

Recognize computer operating system components and their
services

Discuss the evolution of computer operating systems from
technical and historical perspectives

Identify and analyze resource allocation problems in a
computer system

Differentiate various user demands on computer system
resources

Demonstrate a capability to identify computer security threats

Recognize and apply CPU scheduling algorithms

Recognize and apply memory page replacement policies

Recognize and apply storage allocation methodologies

Recognize computer security mechanisms and apply computer
security policies

Survey current literatures related to computer operating
systems and analyze their contents

Summarize the current state of computer operating system
technologies in their own words

Analyze and interpret the trends in computer operating system
technologies

Describe ethical standards for IT professional

Discuss ethical issues related to computer operating system
services
 Discuss technical and non-technical issues surrounding commodity
computer hardware and computer software systems
 Write and present a term paper
Textbook Information
Title
Operating System Concepts Essentials
Author
Avi Silberschatz, Peter Galvin, and Greg Gange
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons
Edition/Year
8th Edition, 2010
ISBN
978-0-470-88920-6
Additional
information
Type

Check WEBBSIT online bookstore for possible formats of the
textbook (e.g., hardcopy or e-book).

WileyPLUS will NOT be used in this class.
Required resource
Instructor Information

Angkul Kongmunvattana, Ph.D. (or Dr. K)

Associate Professor of Computer Science

Columbus State University

Email: kongmunvattana_angkul@columbusstate.edu (WebCT
email preferred)

Phone: 706-507-8172
Instructor Contact Policy
Email will be the official tool for contacting the instructor. The email
policies for this class are as follows:

Students are required to use their WebCT email account for all
communications.

Students are expected to check their email accounts on a daily
basis.

The instructor will respond to student emails within 24 hours
of receipt EXCEPT on holidays and weekend.

Follow-up to unanswered email is welcomed, as there are
instances in which messages get “lost.”
You are welcome to use the discussion board for questions, however,
if you need the instructor’s prompt feedback, please use the WebCT
email.
I can also be reached by telephone at 706-565-3523 and by Internet
email at kongmunvattana_angkul@colstate.edu. However, the WebCT
email and discussion boards are the preferred means of
communication.
Policy on Changes to the Syllabus
The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and class
schedule, including assignments and tests with prior notice given to
the class.
Class Cancellation Policy
While class cancellation does not apply to an asynchronous online
course, should instructional delays occur due to server or connection
problems or other unforeseen circumstances, we will endeavor to
remain on schedule. Such remedies may include adjustments to due
dates, online discussion or tutoring sessions, etc.
Attendance/Participation
All students enrolled in the WebBSIT Program must verify their
enrollment via WebCT Vista.
Enrollment verification information is provided to the Financial Aid
Office of your home institution. To verify your enrollment you must
log-in to each of your WebCT Vista courses by 5:00 PM on the first
day of course instruction.
Consistent participation is required. Activities include, e-mail
correspondence, discussion threads and study groups, assignment
submissions, etc.
Withdrawal
Withdrawal policy varies by institution. In general, students who stop
attending class without a submission of the necessary withdrawal
paperwork will receive an automatic grade of ‘F’. Students who
withdraw after midterm will receive an automatic grade of ‘WF’.
Withdrawal policy and procedures are published in the Academic
Catalog of your consortium institution.
No-Show
Students must log into each of their WebCT Vista courses by 5pm of
the day classes begin (see Academic Calendar) to confirm their
attendance. Remember, you are taking an online course and
participation in the course is the only way the instructor can "see" you.
If you fail to log into your courses by 5pm of the day classes begin, or
fail to complete course activities within a two-week period at any time
during the semester, the instructor will consider your lack of activity
as an indication of your intention not to continue in the course. At this
point, the instructor may choose to remove you from group activities
or interactions. Failure to participate without officially
withdrawing from the course will result in a grade of F.
The special circumstances of taking a WebBSIT course demand
regular and consistent participation. Be sure to pace yourself
throughout the semester making sure your responses to
communications and assignments are timely. If you are not able to
participate in any assigned class activities, contact your instructor
immediately.
A registered student, who has failed to attend class (in person or by
electronic equivalent) by the final payment deadline for the term, is
considered a “no show.” The “no show” student will be
administratively withdrawn and will not be reinstated. The “no show”
student is obligated to pay for all registration in effect at the end of
drop-add even though he or she did not attend.
Academic Honesty
Unless otherwise indicated, all assignments, projects, examinations,
etc are individual assessments and evidence of excessive collaboration
between students will be treated as cheating. Note that representing
the work of another is considered cheating. The usual penalty for
cheating is an 'F' in the course.
Technology Requirements
Technology Requirements
Computers located in on-campus labs or libraries cannot be used as
the primary computer resource for taking online classes. You will
need the reasonably small suite of hardware and software listed below
Required Hardware:

Computer: A personal computer with Windows XP or higher,
or a MacIntosh with OS X.

Sound: A sound card with speakers or headphones.

Monitor: A VGA (or equivalent) or better monitor.
Strongly Recommended Hardware:

Printer connected to the computer

CD-ROM drive

Microphone
Internet Connectivity:

Internet access. For a dial-up connection, at least a 56k modem
is recommended. Slower dial-up connections will affect course
performance. High speed Internet connectivity (cable or DSL)
is strongly recommended.
Required Software:

Microsoft Office XP or beyond, including: Word, Excel,
Access, PowerPoint

Web Browser: A JavaScript enabled Web browser. These
include Netscape 7.1, Internet Explorer 6.0 or newer versions
of either. (Note: Internet Service Providers [ISP] with
proprietary browsers such as Prodigy or some versions of
AOL, may have difficulty with JavaScript-based activities.
Contact the ISP to determine if the browser will work with
JavaScript.)

Virus protection software

Flash Player

Animations (Tutorials) used in this course require the
installation of the cross-platform Flash Player.
o
Download Flash Player 8 for Windows or Macintosh
Assessment Policies and Grades
Your course grade will be calculated as follows:
10% Discussion Participation
10% Term Paper
30% Individual Assignments
25% Midterm Exam
25% Final Exam
Discussion participation will not be graded but it will count toward
your class attendance.
All assignments, exams, and term paper will receive numerical grades.
All assignments, exams, and term paper may not be revised after the
due date.
The grade you get is the grade you earn. There is NO do-over in the
college-level study.
Course Description
This course introduces students to the architectures of computer
systems and the operating systems that run on them. It explores and
gives experience with some common computer designs and operating
systems. Topics include basic computer architecture, instruction set
architecture, memory, memory management, processes, and file
systems.
Prerequisites
Prerequisite: WBIT 1310 Programming & Problem Solving I
VISTA 8 Maintenance Schedule
Link to the University System of Georgia Vista Maintenance
Schedule http://www.usg.edu/gaview/support/maint-schedule.phtml