Introduction to Operating Systems (Udacity)

Introduction to Operating Systems (Udacity)

Introduction to Operating Systems is a graduate-level introductory course in operating systems. This course teaches the basic operating system abstractions, mechanisms, and their implementations. The core of the course contains concurrent programming (threads and synchronization), inter process communication, and an introduction to distributed operating systems. The course is split into four sections: (1) Introduction, (2) Process and Thread Management, (3) Resource Management and Communication, and (4) Distributed Systems.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Udacity's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

The goals of this course are three-fold.

  • Students will understand the rationale behind the current design and implementation decisions in modern OS’s (like Linux) by considering the historic evolution of various OS constructs
  • Students will be exposed to theoretical knowledge regarding operating systems principles and implementation
  • Students will gain knowledge via experimenting and evaluating various OS aspects in a practical manner

What You Will Learn

Lesson 1
Introduction

  • Course Overview
  • Introduction to Operating Systems

Lesson 2
Process and Thread Management

  • Processes and Process Management
  • Threads and Concurrency
  • Threads Case Study: PThreads
  • Thread Implementation Considerations
  • Thread Performance Considerations

Lesson 3
Resource Management and Communication

  • Scheduling
  • Memory Management
  • Inter-Process Communication
  • Synchronization Constructs
  • I/O Management
  • Resource Virtualization

Lesson 4
Distributed Systems

  • Remote Services
  • Distributed File Systems
  • Distributed Shared Memory
  • Data Center Technologies

Prerequisites and Requirements
To undertake this course, you should have taken an undergraduate level course on, or be otherwise familiar with, basic hardware and software aspects of computer systems organization. Prior programming experience with C is recommended, as C is required for the practical component of this course.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Real-Time Embedded Systems Concepts and Practices (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Real-Time Embedded Systems Concepts and Practices (Coursera)

This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5315, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. Course Description: In this course, students will design and build a microprocessor-based embedded system application using a real-time operating system or RT POSIX extensions with Embedded Linux. The course focus is on the process as well as fundamentals of integrating microprocessor-based embedded system elements for digital command and control of typical embedded hardware systems.

Sep 28th 2026
4 Weeks
Fundamentals of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (Coursera) Coursera
Red Hat

Fundamentals of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (Coursera)

This course will provide you with a basic introduction to Linux® skills using Red Hat® Enterprise Linux 8. It will show you how a Linux system is organized, and will demonstrate introductory system administration tasks, which you will be able to practice on your own. You will be introduced to reasons why Linux and the open source development model are so important in today's computing environment. Linux systems are used everywhere—the internet, point-of-sale systems, and the world's stock markets. You’ll find Linux running smart TVs, in-flight entertainment systems, and most of the top supercomputers in the world.

Sep 28th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Sistemas Operacionais e Você: Tornando-se um Usuário Avançado (Coursera) Coursera
Google

Sistemas Operacionais e Você: Tornando-se um Usuário Avançado (Coursera)

Neste curso – com uma combinação de palestras em vídeo, demonstrações e atividades práticas – você conhecerá os principais componentes de um sistema operacional e verá como executar tarefas críticas, como gerenciamento de software e usuários, e configuração de hardware. Vamos terminar com um exemplo de como esse conteúdo pode acabar surgindo em uma entrevista.

Sep 28th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Hands-on Introduction to Linux Commands and Shell Scripting (Coursera) Coursera
IBM

Hands-on Introduction to Linux Commands and Shell Scripting (Coursera)

This mini-course provides a practical introduction to commonly used Linux / UNIX shell commands and teaches you basics of Bash shell scripting to automate a variety of tasks. The course includes both video-based lectures as well as hands-on labs to practice and apply what you learn. You will have no-charge access to a virtual Linux server that you can access through your web browser, so you don't need to download and install anything to perform the labs.

Sep 28th 2026
1 Week
Computer Hardware and Software (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

Computer Hardware and Software (Coursera)

This course provides foundational understanding of how computers process information through hardware and software. You will investigate the world of Information Technology (IT) and survey hardware components, mobile devices, operating systems, programs and apps, network fundamentals, the Internet, and touch on security and ethics.

Sep 28th 2026
3 Weeks
Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: Nand to Tetris Part II (project-centered course) (Coursera) Coursera
Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: Nand to Tetris Part II (project-centered course) (Coursera)

In this project-centered course you will build a modern software hierarchy, designed to enable the translation and execution of object-based, high-level languages on a bare-bone computer hardware platform. In particular, you will implement a virtual machine and a compiler for a simple, Java-like programming language, and you will develop a basic operating system that closes gaps between the high-level language and the underlying hardware platform.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Capstone: Autonomous Runway Detection for IoT (Coursera) Coursera
EIT Digital

Capstone: Autonomous Runway Detection for IoT (Coursera)

The students will develop a larger system using the learning outcomes from these courses, and the students will evaluate the developed system in a real-world programming environment. This course is a true engineering task in which the student must, not only implement the algorithm code, but also handle the interfaces between many different actors and hardware platforms.

Oct 5th 2026
3 Weeks
Real-Time Project for Embedded Systems (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Real-Time Project for Embedded Systems (Coursera)

The final course emphasizes hands-on building of an application using real-time machine vision and multiple real-time services to synchronize the internal state of Linux with an external clock via observation. Compare actual performance to theoretical and analysis to determine scheduling jitter and to mitigate any accumulation of latency.

Sep 28th 2026
5-12 Weeks