TEK9510 – Security in Operating Systems and Software

Course content

The course introduces the concept of security in operating systems and software and gives a brief overview of applications of cryptography. The main subjects are software vulnerabilities and malicious software, and techniques for mitigating these threats, as well as methods for secure development and protection of computer systems.

Learning outcome

After completing this course, you

• have an understanding of the principles of securing a computer system
• have knowledge of security policies and mechanisms in operating systems
• understand vulnerabilities in operating system and software
• have insight into methods for development and testing of security in software 
• have knowledge of recent research in the field of information security and are able to disseminate it

Admission to the course

PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through Studentweb.

If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers’ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.

PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must apply for a position as a visiting student within a given deadline.

Recommended previous knowledge

It is recommended that you have basic knowledge in mathematics and programming.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with TEK5510 – Security in Operating Systems and Software.
• 10 credits overlap with UNIK4270 – Security in Operating Systems and Software (continued).
• 10 credits overlap with UNIK9270 – Sikkerhet i operativsystemer og programvare (continued).

Teaching

The teaching includes 2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of exercises/laboratory exercises per week throughout the semester.

This course has one mandatory project assignment during the semester, which must be completed and approved before you can sit the final exam. Approved mandatory assignments are valid for two years.

As a PhD candidate, you must also write an essay or hold a presentation based on a specific topic from scientific articles, which must be approved before you can sit the final exam.

Examination

A final oral exam counts 100% towards the final grade. In case of many students, the final exam may be written.

One mandatory project assignment must be completed and approved before you can sit the final exam. As a PhD candidate, you must also write an essay or hold a presentation based on a specific topic from scientific articles, which must be approved before you can sit the final exam.

It will also be counted as 1 of the 3 attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses:

• TEK5510 – Security in Operating Systems and Software
• UNIK4270 – Security in Operating Systems and Software (continued)
• UNIK9270 – Sikkerhet i operativsystemer og programvare (continued)

Examination support material

No examination support material is allowed.

Language of examination

Courses taught in English will only offer the exam paper in English. You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.

Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass, the original examination.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.