Course Syllabus
The essentials for UIC CS 461 — Spring 2026. Refer to the schedule for weekly details and watch for announcements if dates move.
Instructor & TA
Prof. Xiaoguang Wang — Office: room 4454 CDRLC
Office hours: Thursday 3:30-4:30 PM, or by appointment.
Email: echo $(base64 --decode <<< eGd3YW5nOUB1aWMuZWR1)
TA: Chalmers Phua TA office hours: Office hours: Wednesday 2:00–3:30 PM, CDRLC 2404
Class time and location
- Lectures: Tuesday and Thursday, 2:00–3:15 PM
CDRLC, room 2406.
Textbooks and references
- The xv6 book (primary guide for labs).
- Operating Systems: Three Easy Pieces (concept reinforcement and additional readings).
Prerequisites
- CS 361 (Systems Programming) or equivalent experience with C, pointers, and basic concurrency.
Grading
- Quizzes and assignments:
50% - Midterm exams (2):
20% - Final project:
20% - Participation and discussions:
10%
Letter grades are assigned as: A: ≥ 90, B: [80, 90), C: [70, 80), D: [60, 70), F: < 60.
Late submission policy
- Up to 24 hours late:
10%penalty - 24–48 hours late:
20%penalty - Beyond 48 hours: not accepted
If you hit blockers, reach out early.
Academic integrity
Collaboration on ideas and debugging is welcome; the final code and write-ups you submit must be your own. Violations follow UIC’s academic integrity policy.
Course policy on the use of Generative AI (GenAI)
GenAI tools like ChatGPT can enhance learning when used responsibly. Students are encouraged to use GenAI for understanding concepts, brainstorming ideas, and troubleshooting code, but not for directly copying answers. Misuse of AI may result in penalties for academic misconduct. Use GenAI wisely to enhance, not replace, your learning.
Disability Accommodations
UIC is committed to the full inclusion of people with disabilities. If you anticipate disability-related barriers, contact the Disability Resource Center (drc.uic.edu, drc@uic.edu, or 312-413-2183) to request accommodations. To receive accommodations, you must register with the DRC and provide a Letter of Accommodation (LOA). I will work with you and the DRC to implement approved accommodations.
Syllabus updates
Minor updates may happen with reasonable notice. Always check the course site and announcements for the latest information.