CSC171: Fall 2009 - Linux Installation and Administration

Syllabus

Instructor: Sean Mauney
email: smauney@parkland.edu
website: http://www.csit.parkland.edu/~smauney/
Office Hours:http://www.csit.parkland.edu/~smauney/office_hours.html
Office Phone: (217)403-1909
Office: B132

Optional Text:

There is no Specific Book Selected there is a great deal of information out there on Linux so you should easily be able to find anything that you need on the Web.

Schedule:

Students should check the schedule on the web often as it will be updated several times a week throughout the semester. All important due dates and extra information will be posted the the class schedule during the semester.

Grading:

There are will be a lot of assignments/labs/quizzes during the semester.
The following points and policies will apply to the various types of assignments:

  • Labs - in class: due by the end of class in which they are assigned, 10 to 15 points, no late labs will be accepted. Your lowest lab score will be dropped in the calculation of your grade.
  • Participation - there will be several weekly participation requirements for the class. You will make several postings or other participation assignments as assigned week for up to 10 points.
  • Exercises - in angel.parkland.edu . Exercises are worth 15 points each, they are posted in angel and you have 1 week to take them as many times as you wish before the due date. No late exercises will be accepted. Your lowest exercise score will be dropped in the calculation of your grade.
  • Quizzes - in class: given at the beginning of class on the announced days, 25 points each. There will be several quizzes, they will be announced at least 1 week in advance, no makeups will be given unless arranged for in advance.
  • Exams - in class: There will be 1 exam and a final. The exam is worth 100 points and the final will be worth 200 points. Contact me in advance if you must miss a test. You must take all exams to pass the class.
  • Documentation - Once you begin configuring your system you will be graded on the documentation you maintain for the system, usually 15 points per week or assignment.
  • Projects - configuring your server and other projects due in class. You will have at least one week to do each of the projects that are assigned. projects are worth 25 to 50 points and a 15 point late penalty applies to late projects.


    The highest score in the class will be the score that you must make the following percentages of for the corresponding grade.

    A: 94% and up
    B: 84%-93%
    C: 74%-83%
    D: 64%-73%
    F: less than 64%

    Course Description:

    This course serves as an introduction to installing and administering Linux.

    The objectives of this course are to learn how to:

    • plan for system installation
    • install and configure Linux
    • manage the boot process and process priorities
    • keep your system secure and up to date
    • maintain documentation about your system and activities
    • use and program with the Linux BASH shell
    • perform routing system administration duties such as user and group management
    • to configure and use the X Window System

    Attendance:

    This class will be taught with interactive exercises during class and lab time, so I seriously advise you to attend every scheduled class. Important (testable) information will be given during class that is not in the text. If the instructor feels that you will be unable to succeed due to poor attendance, you may be withdrawn from the course.

    Office Hours:

    My office hours are posted on the web at http://www.csit.parkland.edu/~smauney /office_hours.html . Please come see me during my office hours if you have any questions. I will typically also be available immediately before each class period in the classroom, and at the class breaks.

    No Food or Drinks:

    It is Parkland policy that no food or drinks are permitted in the lab at any time. Computer equipment, carpeting and furniture have been damaged in the past, and we want to prevent this from happening in the future.

    Courtesy:

    If you carry a pager or cell phone to class, please set the device to vibrate mode before class, if your device supports it. Otherwise, please turn the ringer off.

    Class and Lab time are not for surfing the net or checking email or playing games or anything besides learning to administer Linux; these activities can be very distracting to other students who would like to pay attention. Feel free to do these things at another time or in another place.

    Withdrawal Procedure:

    It is the student's responsibility to monitor his/her progress in this course. If after consulting with the instructor, the student feels it becomes necessary to withdraw from this course, it is the responsibility of the student to do so. Please check with the office of admissions to find out the final date for withdrawal with "W" grade from courses. If you have questions about the withdrawal procedure, see your Parkland College catalog.
    Disabilities Act (ADA):

    If you believe that you have a disability for which you may need an academic accommodation (eg. Alternate testing environment, use of assistive technology, or other classroom assistance), please contact:

    Becky Osborne
    Coordinator, Office of Disability Services
    X 148 353-2082
    bosborne@parkland.edu

    Getting Help and Peer Tutoring:

    Students should keep current with the material at all times and should seek my help early with any questions. I usually hang out on shaula.csit.parkland.edu when I am in my office. You should run the command: ytalk smauney and if I am at a console I will be happy to help you with anything you may need. You should also come to visit during my office hours if you are having problems or questions.

    Parkland College provides a free tutoring service. A schedule of times is posted outside the Peer Tutoring Lab.