CMSC216

Introduction to Computer Systems

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in CMSC132; and minimum grade of C- in MATH141. Restriction: Must be in a major within the CMNS-Computer Science department; or must be in Engineering: Computer program; or must be in the Computer Science Minor program; and Permission of CMSC - Computer Science department. Introduction to the interaction between user programs and the operating system/hardware. Major topics include C programming, introductory systems programming, and assembly language. Other concepts covered include UNIX, machine data representation, thread management, optimization, and virtual memory. Programming is done in the Linux Environment.

Sister Courses: CMSC216H

Spring 2026

109 reviews
Average rating: 4.62

354 reviews
Average rating: 3.15

Fall 2025

109 reviews
Average rating: 4.62

182 reviews
Average rating: 2.31

Summer 2025

250 reviews
Average rating: 4.24

Spring 2025

109 reviews
Average rating: 4.62

354 reviews
Average rating: 3.15

Past Semesters

13 reviews
Average rating: 3.77

354 reviews
Average rating: 3.15

9 reviews
Average rating: 3.33

250 reviews
Average rating: 4.24

83 reviews
Average rating: 3.66

0 reviews
Average rating: N/A

145 reviews
Average rating: 3.30

25 reviews
Average rating: 2.44

182 reviews
Average rating: 2.31

63 reviews
Average rating: 4.62

60 reviews
Average rating: 4.08

182 reviews
Average rating: 2.31

182 reviews
Average rating: 2.31

354 reviews
Average rating: 3.15

250 reviews
Average rating: 4.24

250 reviews
Average rating: 4.24

182 reviews
Average rating: 2.31

354 reviews
Average rating: 3.15

109 reviews
Average rating: 4.62

41 reviews
Average rating: 4.83

109 reviews
Average rating: 4.62

250 reviews
Average rating: 4.24

109 reviews
Average rating: 4.62

182 reviews
Average rating: 2.31

250 reviews
Average rating: 4.24

* "W"s are considered to be 0.0 quality points. "Other" grades are not factored into GPA calculation. Grade data not guaranteed to be correct.