Custom Memory Allocators
Build your own malloc and free implementations. You'll understand memory fragmentation, alignment requirements, and why memory leaks happen—because you'll create the system that manages them.
Learn System Programming That Actually Matters
Most developers avoid low-level programming because it seems intimidating. We think that's a mistake. Understanding how memory works, how the OS manages processes, and how to write efficient concurrent code gives you an edge that high-level frameworks can't teach.
Our approach: no hand-holding, no oversimplified examples. You'll build real tools, debug segmentation faults, and understand why your programs behave the way they do. This isn't theory—it's practical knowledge that changes how you write code forever.
What You'll Actually Build
Forget toy projects. We focus on building functional systems that teach you how software really works at the lowest level.
Concurrent Systems
Write thread-safe data structures from scratch. Learn mutex design, lock-free algorithms, and how to debug race conditions that only appear under load. Theory matters, but implementation teaches you more.
Operating System Components
Implement schedulers, file systems, and process managers. These aren't abstract exercises—you'll see exactly how operating systems make decisions about resources and priorities.
Traditional Courses
- Teach syntax and basic concepts
- Focus on passing tests and certifications
- Avoid difficult topics like manual memory management
- Use simplified examples that don't reflect real constraints
- Promise job-ready skills in weeks
That approach works if you want surface-level knowledge. But you'll struggle when debugging production issues or optimizing performance-critical code.
How We Teach
- Start with how computers actually execute instructions
- Build everything from first principles—no magic libraries
- Debug real problems: segfaults, race conditions, memory corruption
- Work with resource constraints and performance requirements
- Develop intuition through hands-on implementation
This takes longer, but you'll understand why systems behave the way they do. That knowledge stays with you for your entire career.
What Students Achieve
240+
Hours of Practical Coding
18
System-Level Projects
6-9
Months to Completion
1:8
Instructor-Student Ratio
How the Program Works
Foundations and C Mastery
Start with computer architecture, memory models, and the C programming language. You'll write programs that directly manipulate memory, work with pointers, and understand compilation at a deep level. No assumptions about prior knowledge—we build everything from scratch.
Data Structures and Algorithms
Implement common structures without using libraries: linked lists, hash tables, trees, graphs. Focus on memory layout, cache efficiency, and understanding trade-offs. You'll see why certain algorithms work better in practice than theory suggests.
Systems Programming Concepts
Build components that interact with the operating system: file I/O, process management, inter-process communication. Learn system calls, understand kernel interfaces, and see how user-space programs communicate with hardware.
Advanced Topics and Capstone
Dive into concurrent programming, network protocols, or modern systems languages like Rust. Complete a substantial project that demonstrates your ability to build reliable, efficient software without relying on high-level abstractions.
I spent years writing Python and JavaScript, thinking I understood programming. This course humbled me completely. Now when I write high-level code, I actually know what's happening underneath. Debugging performance issues went from guesswork to systematic analysis. Worth every frustrating segfault along the way.
Ready to Learn How Systems Actually Work?
Applications are open for programs starting in the coming months. Review the curriculum, understand what's required, and decide if this approach matches what you're looking for.
Get Started