CIS 90, Introduction to UNIX/Linux

Course Policy

My goal is to provide a supportive, student-centered, learning environment for everyone to learn about a dark, user-unfriendly, powerful, inexpensive operating system. You do not need any prior UNIX knowledge to take this course, but you should have a general familiarity with computers and operating systems, such as might be acquired from taking CIS 172. You should also have skills relating to simple text editing, electronic mail and command-line editing.

You will learn a lot in the course, but it will be the basics - the fundamentals. To actually administer a UNIX machine, you will need to take an Admin course. You will have the ability to use a UNIX machine after taking this course. Ironically, the more you know about UNIX coming into this class, the more you'll pick up and learn from the class.

To aid you in studying for this course, this web site contains the objectives of each lesson. Keep these objectives in mind during class to help you stay focused on what is important. In class, you will be introduced to concepts and topics related to UNIX; it will be in your performing the labs that you actually learn these concepts. When we are done with a lesson, make sure you can answer the review questions posted under the Review link, (the answers are on the PowerPoint slides link).

Some students like to read the textbook chapters relating to a particular lesson before class; others wait 'till after. I think you get more out of the class lectures if you have done the reading in preparation; that way you can be ready to ask questions and pay closer attention to those areas that were confusing.

I will do the best I can to keep the room comfortable temperature wise and with minimal distractions.   Towards that end, you can help me by turning off your pagers and cell phones, and by not surfing the web, playing games, or reading email from your workstation which may distract students sitting near or behind you.

Most of the course materials (including this syllabus) are located on my website. You are responsible for reviewing these documents as necessary throughout the semester.

Textbook Information

Required Textbook:

Linux User's Guide: Using the Command Line & Gnome with Red Hat Linux,
by Carolyn Z. Gillay
This book is available at the college bookstore as well as amazon.com The topics covered in this book closely follow the objectives of this course.
This book is published under two ISBN numbers, the first one is specific to version 9.0 of Red Hat.
ISBN: 0-887902-98-8 and 0-887902-503

Grading Policy

Grades will be posted on the Internet using your chosen secret word later in the semester.

• Lab Assignments 50%
• 2 Midterms 20% (10% each)
• Project 10%
• Final Exam 20%
• Total 100%

Labs

Lab assignments are posted weekly on the website along with their due date. Most of your learning will take place by doing these labs. It's very important that you stay current in the course be doing all these assignments; that is why they are 50% of your grade. Labs turned in after the due date will not be evaluated, but will receive half the number of points possible. Note that 50% is not a passing grade, so don't make this behavior a habit.

Exams

The two exams will be multiple choice tests administered in class and taking about 1 hour to complete.

Project

Near the end of the term, you will work on a shell programming project where you will build a simple shell menuing application.

Final

The final exam will be comprehensive and will be task oriented rather than memorization based. You will have to demonstrate that you can carry out basic tasks on a UNIX computer - in this case, a Red Hat Linux server.

The Credit / No Credit Option
By default you will get a letter grade (A, B, C, D, or F) for this class. However, you may choose to take the class for Credit / No Credit instead. If you take this class with the Credit / No Credit option, to receive a Credit you must complete this class with an average of 70% or more A No Credit grade is not included on transcripts and is not factored into determining a student's GPA.

Missing Classes
From page 28 of the Cabrillo Catalog:

Absence from class in excess of two weeks will constitute reason for an instructor to withdraw a student from a full-term course. It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw from classes.

Make a commitment to yourself to attend every class. The worst thing about missing a class is falling behind because you missed a week's worth of material. If you know you will be missing some classes, please come and see me, so that arrangements can be made for recovering what you'll miss.

Help

We all have different study habits. Let me know if there is something I can do regarding the organization of this course that would help you learn the material better.
Please don't hesitate to see me if you need some help, have some questions, or just want to talk about the class. You can speak with me after class or during my office hours. If you can't come during my scheduled hours I am happy to try to arrange another time for us to meet. You can call me at any time, my number is 477-3539. If I am not in, please leave a message letting me know what are the best times to call you back.

I encourage students with disabilities, including "invisible" disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning, and psychological disabilities, to explain their needs and appropriate accommodations to me during my office hours. Please bring a verification of your disability from the Learning Skills or DSP&S offices and a counselor or specialist's recommendations for accommodating your needs.
 

Other Places for Help

The Writing Center
A student who needs assistance in solving specific writing problems may drop in to receive individual help. Students should bring the paper or assignment with them. Interested persons may receive more information at the center, building 1000 (enter on opposite side of library), or by calling 479-6319.

Tutorial Center
The Tutorial Program offers individual and group assistance to students served by EOPS, Disabled Students Program and Services (DSPS), Migrant Education Teacher Preparation Program (METPP) or who are enrolled in certain vocational majors and have academic disadvantages. Interested persons may receive more information at the center, building 1000 (enter on opposite side of library), or by calling 479-6470 or 479-6126.

Disabled Students Program and Services
The Disabled Students Program and Services (DSPS) offers a variety of services to enable students with disabilities to function independently in the educational environment. The objective of DSPS services is integrate students with disabilities into general campus programs and activities. Interested persons may receive more information at the center, room 800, or by calling 479-6379 or 479-6370.

COOP Work Experience
The Cooperative Work Experience is designed to combine work experience with classroom instruction to assist students in acquiring the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to be successful in a chosen occupation. Interested persons may receive more information by calling 477-5650.

Counseling
Counselors are committed to providing students with up-to-date information and informed advice regarding their educational and career goals. For more information or to set up an appointment, call 479-6274.