Computing systems 1: foundations and operations

What it covers

Every time you run a program, open a file, connect to a network, train a model, deploy a service, or launch a container, layers of computing systems are working beneath the surface. This unit helps you understand those layers and gives you the practical skills to work with them. You will explore how modern computing is built, from digital logic, processors and memory through to operating systems, file systems, processes, networking, GPUs, containers and secure digital services. Through hands-on work with Linux environments, command-line tools and lightweight container workflows, you will learn to navigate, configure, inspect, package and run computing environments, while developing the systems thinking needed to understand how programs execute and interact with hardware, operating systems, networks and virtualised infrastructure. The unit also introduces the challenges involved in securing modern computing systems and connected devices. You will develop a basic understanding of why systems are difficult to protect, how risk emerges across hardware, software, networks and human use, and the general principles used to reason about secure and responsible operation. By the end of the unit, you will have a deeper understanding of the computing systems beneath everyday software and the practical skills to work with them confidently, safely and effectively.

Assessment

When and where