Operating Systems

This course covers the core concepts and internal architecture of modern operating systems, including process management, memory allocation, CPU scheduling, and concurrency. It also explores I/O systems, file systems, and essential security mechanisms such as authentication and cryptography. Learners gain a strong understanding of how operating systems manage hardware and software resources to ensure secure and efficient computing.

No Certificate / Course on Audit Track

About Course

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of modern operating systems, focusing on both core concepts and internal architecture. It covers key areas such as process management, memory management, CPU scheduling, and concurrency, enabling learners to understand how system resources are efficiently utilized.

The course also explores input/output (I/O) systems and file system structures, giving insight into how data is stored, accessed, and managed. In addition, it introduces essential security mechanisms, including authentication and basic cryptography, to highlight how operating systems ensure data protection and system integrity.

By the end of this course, learners will develop a solid foundation in how operating systems coordinate hardware and software components to deliver secure, reliable, and efficient computing environments.

Authorship and Attribution

This course has been curated by Riphah International University faculty and staff using publicly available third-party content and Open Educational Resources (OER) for self-paced learning. Learners will engage with curated open-access materials to achieve the course learning outcomes. All third-party content is used under open-access or fair-use policies, while any original materials are developed specifically for this learning experience.

 

Source and Credits:

  • Instructor: Hamid Mukhtar, Ph.D. CS
  • Provider: YouTube (@DrHamidMukhtar)
  • License: Standard YouTube license

What You'll Learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

  • Describe the fundamental architecture, evolution, and types of operating systems, including the critical distinction between kernel and user modes and the role of system calls in managing hardware-software interaction.
  • Critically analyze the four necessary conditions for deadlock and contrast the trade-offs between proactive strategies (prevention and avoidance) versus reactive strategies (detection and recovery) in resource management.

Prerequisites

To be successful in this course, you should have a background in Computer Organization and Architecture and Object-Oriented Programming. Specifically, learners should be familiar with how a CPU functions, the basics of memory (RAM/ROM), and how data is stored at a hardware level. Additionally, a strong grasp of programming logic, including data structures and basic algorithms, is essential to understand how system software manages application execution and resource allocation.

Who Can Take This Course?

This course is designed for individuals who possess a fundamental background in computer science and a working knowledge of computer systems. It is ideal for learners who want to delve into the internal architecture of Operating Systems, moving beyond basic usage to understand core structures and system-level operations. Specifically, this course will benefit those who wish to master how the system manages processes, memory, and hardware resources, as well as those interested in the principles of synchronization, file systems, and security protocols. Whether you are a student, a self-taught programmer, or a budding system administrator, this course provides the technical depth required to understand how modern operating systems function at a foundational level.

Course Outline

Operating System Design and Structural Models

Operating System Structures (Video)

Deadlock Conditions and System Models

Introduction to Deadlocks: Conditions, Models, and Examples (Video)

Skills You Will Gain

Operating System Architecture Understanding Kernel vs User Mode Differentiation System Call Analysis Deadlock Analysis Decision-Making in Deadlock Handling Critical Thinking in OS Strategies

Course Information

Duration

Approximately 0.8 Hours

Course Information

Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Learning Mode

Fully Online (Asynchronous)

Learning Type

Self Paced

Language

English Only

Instructor/Curator

Course Instructor
  • Maria Tanvir profile image
    Maria Tanvir Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities