About
Table of contents
About
Hi. Welcome to CS5600 Fall 2026!
Textbook
The course will primarily follow Operating Systems: Three Easy Pieces by Andrea Arpaci-Dusseau and Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau:
We will cover Chapters 2, 4–9, 13–16, 18–22, 26–28, 30–32, 36–43, and 53–55.
Supplementary Textbooks
- Modern Operating Systems by Andrew S. Tanenbaum (PDF)
- Computer Systems: A Programmer’s Perspective by Randal E. Bryant and David R. O’Hallaron (PDF)
Slides
Slides for each class will be posted on Canvas prior to class.
Grades
The course grade will consist of five lab assignments (35% total; 7% each), a midterm exam (25%), and a final exam (40%).
Please refer to the “Calendar” for the release and due dates of the lab assignments and the dates of the midterm and final exams.
Both exams will take place in the classroom and last for the entire lecture period.
Bonuses: If you provide an answer on Piazza that is endorsed by an instructor, you will receive a 0.5% bonus, up to a maximum of 1%.
Grade conversion
You will receive a final numerical grade out of 100%. Your numerical grade will be converted to a letter grade according to Northeastern University’s grade scale, as shown below.
Do not rely on the total grade displayed in Canvas, as it may not accurately reflect your final course grade.
| Letter Grade | At Most | Greater Than |
|---|---|---|
| A | 100.000% | 91.675% |
| A− | 91.675% | 83.325% |
| B+ | 83.325% | 75.000% |
| B | 75.000% | 66.675% |
| B− | 66.675% | 58.325% |
| C+ | 58.325% | 50.000% |
| C | 50.000% | 41.675% |
| C− | 41.675% | 33.325% |
| D+ | 33.325% | 25.000% |
| D | 25.000% | 16.675% |
| D− | 16.675% | 0.000% |
| F | 0.000% | — |
Getting help
If you have questions about the lab assignments—including how to set up, compile, implement, or debug them—please post them on Piazza or attend the TAs’ office hours.
Cheating
You should work independently on the lab assignments. You can discuss with fellow students but your work should be your own.
Late Assignments
You will receive five ``late days’’ that may be used across all assignments. Once they have been exhausted, late submissions will not be accepted except under exceptional circumstances.