		Michael L'Estrange Computer Information Science

CISC 323: Linux Operating Systems

Instructor:	Michael L'Estrange
Instructor Email:	lestram@arc.losrios.edu
Instructor Web Page:	http://ic.arc.losrios.edu/~lestram
Instructor Phone:	(916)-484-8147
Instructor Office:	ARC main campus, CMC 405
Office hours:	Mon, Tues, Weds, Thur 5-6pm Tu 2:30-3:30pm
Course Code #:	10602
Class Location:	CMC 411
Meeting Times:	TuTh 6:00pm-7:50pm
Semester:	Spring 2020
Term:	First Eight Weeks, Jan 18, 2020 - Mar 16, 2020
First meeting:	20 January 2020
Final Examination:	12 March 2020, last class session
Prerequisite:	None.
Advisory:	CISC 300 and ability to touch type. Refer to the course catalog for a description of this course.
Accepted for credit:	CSU.
Hours:	18 hours lecture; 18 hours laboratory.
Units:	1

Course Description

This course introduces the Linux operating system for microcomputers. Concepts include the kernel, file structures, daemons, graphical user interfaces (GUI), open source, file security and permissions. Procedures for installing software, basic system administration and utilities, the Bourne again shell (BASH), command line interface utilities, and introduction to scripting topics are also covered.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

analyze the relationship of the operating system kernel, shell interface, windowing system, applications programs and the user to each other.
utilize a command line interface (CLI) and GUI text editor to create and edit files in the Linux file system.
employ the use of basic Linux GUI applets and CLI commands in file, disk, video and printer management.
formulate CLI commands with correct syntax.
compare Linux with other operating systems.
utilize the Linux file system and apply industry standard file security.
explain and define open-source theory, jargon, practice, and licensing.
utilize a GUI and/or CLI to complete basic system administration and day-to-day tasks on the computer.

Textbook and Supplies

Required:

This course uses digital materials that are provided free of charge to the student. A student may purchase a printed text book in the college store at her or his option.

All students are required to obtain and maintain an ARC Los Rios email account.
All students are required to obtain and maintain a Cisco Netspace account.
All students are required to obtain and maintain a Linux shell account.

Recommended:

The Linux Command Line, A Complete Introduction
By: William E. Shotts, Jr.
© 2012, No Starch Press, Inc.,
ISBN13: 978-1-59327-389-7
In the College Store, or free at http://www.linuxcommand.org/tlcl.php

Presentation of Class Materials:

The course will cover the required assignments in the texts, and some outside assignments. The information will be introduced by means of lecture, classroom demonstrations and labs. Students may be given assignments to be completed both in class as well as on their own time. Lab work with a Windows or Linux PC will be required, and can be completed on campus.

Learning Management System (LMS)

This class will be using the Cisco Netspace web site, NOT Los Rios Canvas.

Special note on contacting the instructor

The instructor is an offline resource, and he will probably not return any messages over the weekend or college vacation days.
Emails that are undecipherable will be ignored. Use standard English in all messages sent to the instructor.
Emails that do not contain a question may not be replied to. A question should be denoted with a question mark, i.e.?!
Messages with long or complex questions may take time to answer, as in several days.
The instructor will not open emails or attachments he cannot identify, i.e. use your ARC Los Rios email account.
No student emails are deleted.

Special instructions for emailing your instructor

All emails sent to the instructor should contain the following in the subject line: Course number, your name, and the subject.

Here is an outstanding example:
Subject: CISC 323 | L'Estrange | Summer class add number request

In order to properly and promptly answer emails, your instructor must be able to identify you and what class you are enrolled in. Your instructor teaches many different courses each semester, and sometimes a student may submit a question that will have different answers depending on the course, i.e. How to do things in Linux and Microsoft Windows will have very different answers.

You are required to change the subject line if you change the subject contents of an email.

Your instructor is NOT a double-click resource available 24/7. I shall not be answering emails on weekends. If you send a lengthy email not containing a single question mark, or any punctuation at all, I may never answer your email. If your email question requires research on my part, it may take 2-4 days to get to it. It would not be unusual for the email you sent on a Friday evening to not be answered until the next Wednesday.

Course Policies:

This class will adhere to as closely as possible all ARC and Los Rios guidelines set forth in the catalog and/or the schedule of classes.

A document of general course policies for all my classes can be found on the instructor's web site.

Labs

Almost all CIS classes require labs. It is the online student's responsibility to complete the lab. Students may complete lab assignments in CSIT Area Computer Labs, room CMC 412, or at another ARC computer lab facility if allowed.

Lab assignments must be completed by the assigned date. Under no circumstances will network, system, hardware, or any other problems of such nature be considered an excuse for turning in late work.

Lab hours/Assistance:

Students may utilize lab time and assistance on campus in the CSIT area computer lab room CMC 412. Check with the CSIT area lab personnel in room CMC 412 for availability. Lab assistance is not tutoring. Tutoring is available on campus; contact the instructor directly regarding tutoring.

Special Note on Cheating

Independent Work Policy: Labs, Projects, Task, Assignments and Exams are designed to measure the progress of individual students. Collaborative work in groups of two or more is prohibited unless the instructions specifically state otherwise.

A student must not copy another student’s work or import work from another student. Do not allow another student to copy your work. Your work must be independent - Failure to work independently will result in all violators’ grades being reduced to zero for that lab, project, task, assignment or exam. Second offence of this policy will be referred to the Area Dean for administrative action.

Online Testing Privilege: Participation in online examinations is a privilege. When a student submits a lab, project, task, assignment, or exam that appears to violate the independent work policy the instructor retains the right to revoke the online exam privilege and direct the student to the American River College Computer Science Lab CMC 411 for on-site testing.

Accommodations

It is critical that every student be provided an environment which is conducive to learning. Please contact the professor if you have any physical or learning disability or other need which might require a special accommodation.

Special Software:

VMware Player, Linux, Packet Tracer, etc.

Completion of the exercises and projects required for this class requires access to a computer loaded with special software, such as the Linux operating system, virtual machine software, packet tracer, or other special software. To complete lab assignments, students may use the ARC CSIT Area Computer Lab, Room CMC411. It is not necessary to purchase special software, as most of the software is free, open source, or provided at no cost to the student.

Online Discussions

During the semester you will have access to a course website. These websites allow for intraclass communication with other students through messages, online discussions or forums, etc. Since this course is an in person course, the instructor in general will not monitor these communications. However, abusive remarks or attacks against others will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary actions taken by the instructor and/or college.

Attendance Policy

Attendance will be monitored.
As stated in LRCCD Regulation R-2222, a student may be dropped from any class when that student's absences exceed six percent (6%) of the total hours of class time.

Once a student has been dropped from the class (for whatever reason), he or she will not be reinstated.

Drops: Students unable to complete the course are responsible for notifying the Records Office of their withdrawal. Failure to formally drop the course will result in a final grade of 'F'.

If you have extenuating circumstances which prevent you from participating in the class or submitting your assignments, CONTACT THE PROFESSOR IMMEDIATELY!

Course Lesson Plan / Schedule of Topics

This course will follow the book essentially in chapter order. The schedule of topics, chapters to be covered, and assignments due each week shall be listed in the LMS. Students may certainly read ahead, but completion of assignments early will not be allowed or even be possible. Changes to the details of this course schedule most likely will not be reflected on this web page. For online classes, please refer to the Learning Management System for all current updates. For in person classes, the instructor will also make announcements during lecture.

CISC 323 Linux Operating Systems Course Lesson Plan
Week of:	Topics	Assignment
January 20	Syllabus Overview Logging on to ARC student accounts Proper shutdown of the PC Logging into Cisco Netacad website Introduction to CLI How the operating system works. History of Unix/Linux Intro to Telnet Intro to VMware Licenses	Assignment in Netacad: Chapter 1 and 2 Reading Netacad: Chapter 2 quiz In class lab assignment(s) may be assigned Optional Book: Chapter 1, 2 and 3
January 27	Bios Booting the PC Linux Install Desktop overview Using the mouse Navigating the file system Help	Assignment in Netacad: Chapter 3 Reading Netacad: Chapter 3 quiz In class lab assignment(s) may be assigned Optional Book: Chapter 4, 5 and 6
February 3	BASH kernels, daemons, shells ASCII, UNICODE, Binary Shell Prompt Basics Command line syntax man Utilities	Assignment in Netacad: Chapter 4 Reading Netacad: Chapter 4 quiz In class lab assignment(s) may be assigned Optional Book: Chapter 7 and 8
February 10	GUI X windows KDE GNOME file security Editors vi	Assignment in Netacad: Chapter 5 Reading Netacad: Chapter 5 quiz and Chapter 5 lab In class lab assignment(s) may be assigned Optional Book: Chapter 9, 11 and 12
February 17	File Structures Inodes Accessing & mounting CD's and floppy disks More Shell Prompt Commands	Assignment in Netacad: Chapter 6 Reading Netacad: Chapter 6 quiz and Chapter 6 lab In class lab assignment(s) may be assigned Optional Book: Chapter 13 and 15
February 24	Applications Operating system services for applications programs Processes: Parent and child, forks, background and foreground Printing Video	Assignment in Netacad: Chapter 7 Reading Netacad: Chapter 7 quiz and Chapter 7 lab In class lab assignment(s) may be assigned Optional Book: Chapter 16, 17 and 20
March 2	Installing packages Alternate procedures for installing software Upgrades User accounts Standard output and input Intro to script files	Assignment in Netacad: Chapter 8 Reading Netacad: Chapter 8 quiz and Chapter 8 lab In class lab assignment(s) may be assigned Optional Book: Chapter 10, 21 and 20
March 9	Preparing for "emergencies" on your PC: backups, what to backup, how to restore it. Linux Web sites	Assignment in Netacad: Chapter 9 Reading Netacad: Chapter 9 quiz and Chapter 9 lab In class lab assignment(s) may be assigned Optional Book: Chapter 14, 18 and 24 Lab Final Exam Final Exam NO Assignments accepted after the final

* Homework/Projects/Lab Assignments and Discussion due date changes will be specified in the learning management system. *

Documents turned-in:

When turning in work in hard copy or electronic form, please include a header on the top of the page with the following information:

Your Name Assignment #
CISC 323 Page # of #

Also, when contacting the instructor via email, be sure to include the class number in the subject line, i.e. CISC 323.

Evaluation and Grading

The grade in this course will be determined by student performance in each of the following areas, and weighted as described in the following charts.

Grade Assessment Weighting

Quizzes
(175 points) 35%

Lab Assignments
(175 points) 35%

Final Examination/Lab Final (150 points) 30%

Grade Assignment by Total Points

Points Obtained Total % Grade
Assigned

451+ 90% A

401+ 80% B

351+ 70% C

301+ 60% D

less than 300 below 60% F

Grade Assessment Weighting
Quizzes	(175 points) 35%
Lab Assignments	(175 points) 35%
Final Examination/Lab Final	(150 points) 30%

Grade Assignment by Total Points
Points Obtained	Total %	Grade Assigned
451+	90%	A
401+	80%	B
351+	70%	C
301+	60%	D
less than 300	below 60%	F

Extra Credit Work

There will be no extra credit work given in this class. A student’s grade is based solely upon the regularly assigned work in the class and upon the quizzes and examinations given in the class.

Grades Available Online

Grades will never be sent out by email.
Most grades for individual assignments will be available during the semester 8 week term through the learning management system used for the class.
At the end of the semester, final grades will only be accessible through the ARC eServices system.

Policy on Late Work and Makeup Exams

No late work will be accepted.
No make up quizzes or exams will be given.
NO Assignments accepted after the final

Caveat

The professor reserves the right to change any of the details of this course syllabus or the course schedule with a minimum of advance notice.

Passing the Course

Students must take the Final exam to pass.
Students must pass the Final exam with a D grade or better.
Students must take the Final exam on the scheduled date and time of the Final. (You have 8 weeks to clear you schedule - make it so.)

Last Updated: 17 December 2020