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

162 reviews
Average rating: 3.19

91 reviews
Average rating: 4.53

Fall 2025

95 reviews
Average rating: 2.07

91 reviews
Average rating: 4.53

Summer 2025

53 reviews
Average rating: 4.26

Spring 2025

162 reviews
Average rating: 3.19

91 reviews
Average rating: 4.53

Past Semesters

53 reviews
Average rating: 4.26

95 reviews
Average rating: 2.07

91 reviews
Average rating: 4.53

53 reviews
Average rating: 4.26

91 reviews
Average rating: 4.53

0 reviews
Average rating: N/A

162 reviews
Average rating: 3.19

95 reviews
Average rating: 2.07

91 reviews
Average rating: 4.53

53 reviews
Average rating: 4.26

162 reviews
Average rating: 3.19

95 reviews
Average rating: 2.07

95 reviews
Average rating: 2.07

10 reviews
Average rating: 3.90

53 reviews
Average rating: 4.26

162 reviews
Average rating: 3.19

19 reviews
Average rating: 2.16

14 reviews
Average rating: 4.79

53 reviews
Average rating: 4.26

95 reviews
Average rating: 2.07

0 reviews
Average rating: N/A

3 reviews
Average rating: 3.33

2 reviews
Average rating: 4.00

5 reviews
Average rating: 3.60

0 reviews
Average rating: N/A

During the Spring 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters, students could choose to take some of their courses pass-fail mid-semester which skews grade data aggregated across multiple semesters.

Average GPA of 2.56 between 13,652 students*

CMSC216 Grade Distribution+-05101520253035% of studentsABCDFWother
A-: 7.79%
A: 13.33%
A+: 6.59%
B-: 8.26%
B: 13.67%
B+: 8.79%
C-: 6.48%
C: 10.22%
C+: 6.61%
D-: 0.68%
D: 5.22%
D+: 0.65%
F: 4.92%
W: 5.94%
other: 0.85%
* "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.