Admission requirements
Digital Skills and Programming Introduction (DSIP)
Essentials of Computer Systems 1
Description
Modern computer systems consist of many abstraction layers and have the possibility to communicate with other systems in many ways. During this course, we will take a journey through these layers and the communication mechanisms. We will show how devices communicate with each other through networks and introduce the OSI and the TCP/IP models. We will also introduce some notions of communication security. Then we will focus on cloud and edge computing and conclude with introduction to High Performance Computing (HPC). Throughout the course, we will focus on metrics, basic optimizations techniques, and bottlenecks limiting the performance.
Topics:
1. Computer Networking
2. Cloud and Edge Computing
3. High Performance Computing (HPC)
Course objectives
understanding the basic structure of advanced systems, computer networking and the role of protocols.
applying optimizations and analyzing trade-offs.
Timetable
In MyTimetable, you can find all course and programme schedules, allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.
Additionally, you can easily link MyTimetable to a calendar app on your phone, and schedule changes will be automatically updated in your calendar. You can also choose to receive email notifications about schedule changes. You can enable notifications in Settings after logging in.
Questions? Watch the video, read the instructions, or contact the ISSC helpdesk.
Note: Joint Degree students from Leiden/Delft need to combine information from both the Leiden and Delft MyTimetables to see a complete schedule. This video explains how to do it.
Mode of instruction
The lectures will provide a comprehensive overview of the main areas and the learning objectives of the course. The hands-on sessions will alternate between tutorials and practical sessions. We will use Brightspace for all communications, announcements, quizzes, and submissions.
Assessment method
The final grade is composed from the following three components:
1. Interactive Component: 10 points
2. Group Practical Assignment (mini-project): 20 points
3. Individual Exam: 70 points
The interactive component consists of in-class group activities and individual participation. Please note that the mini-project will be checked for plagiarism. Additionally, bonus quizzes on Brightspace could add 5 points to the final grade.
The course is passed if the following three conditions are met:
the interactive component is graded 5 points or higher
the individual exam is graded 38.5 points or higher
the final grade is 5.5 or higher (sum of all three components is 55 points or higher).
If the course is not passed, the exam can be retaken.
Reading list
Not applicable
Registration
As a student, you are responsible for enrolling on time through MyStudyMap.
In this short video, you can see step-by-step how to enrol for courses in MyStudyMap.
Extensive information about the operation of MyStudyMap can be found here.
There are two enrolment periods per year:
Enrolment for the fall opens in July
Enrolment for the spring opens in December
See this page for more information about deadlines and enrolling for courses and exams.
Note:
It is mandatory to enrol for all activities of a course that you are going to follow.
Your enrolment is only complete when you submit your course planning in the ‘Ready for enrolment’ tab by clicking ‘Send’.
Not being enrolled for an exam/resit means that you are not allowed to participate in the exam/resit.
Contact
Communication will mainly happen through Brightspace. Individual questions should be directed to a email provided in the first lecture
Education coordinator LIACS bachelors
Remarks
Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.