IS2S554 - Systems Architecture and Modelling 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: IS2S554
Module Title: Systems Architecture and Modelling
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Information and Electronics
Faculty Sub Group: informatics
Module Leader: Gaylor Boobyer, Iain Shewring
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2017 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100371 - information systems
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Jul 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

Students will develop further their understanding of both computer and operating system concepts, from hardware through to the user interface.

To be able to model situations relating to computer systems architecture, and to apply solutions to problems relating to computer systems architecture.

To enable students to use appropriate mathematical/analytical methods, and to apply problem solving principles in order to produce solutions to a range of typical computing problems, and to understand the limitations of the solutions found.

To demonstrate engineering skills in terms of: data representation and storage, system hardware, and software components.

Content Summary

Systems Architecture

- Operating system internals including processes and threads, memory management concepts and an introduction to virtual machines.

- Comparison of operating system platforms.

- Practical introduction to a network operating system:

- installation and configuration;

- managing users and computers on a network.

- Processor Developments.

- Assemblers, interpreters and compilers.

- Introduction to system security concepts.

Systems Modelling

- Introduction to queuing theory.

- Decision making: basic concepts of algorithms, sorting algorithms, graphs and networks, shortest paths networks, route inspection problem, travelling salesperson problem, linear programming.

- Risk: definitions (generic vs security risk), quantitative risk, risk leverage, decision trees.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 24
Tutorial 8
Practical classes and workshops 16
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 72
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 To understand and model situations relating to computer systems architecture and systems modelling.
LO2 To interpret and apply solutions to problems relating to computer systems architecture and systems modelling.

Module Requisites

Code Title Requisite Type
MOD009866 Computer Systems and Networking Concepts pre-requisite
MOD009138 Problem Solving for Computing pre-requisite
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Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 2 A set of mathematical problems relating to computer systems architecture 0 2000 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 A report discussing the various architectural, functional and practical differences between two operating systems 0 2000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 2
Report 1

Reading List

Parramore,K., Stephens, J., Compton, C., and Rigby, G. (2018) Decision Mathematics 1. Hodder.ISBN 9781292183299

Silberschatz, A., Gagne, G. and Galvin P. (2018) Operating System Concepts. Wiley. ISBN: 978-1-119-32091-3

Englander, I. (2021) The Architecture of Computer Hardware, Systems Software, and Networking: An Information Technology Approach. Wiley. ISBN 978-1119495208