5/14/2025 12:06:57 PM	CS 81.21 Course Outline as of Fall 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  CS 81.21	Title:  INTRODUCTION TO LINUX
Full Title:  Introduction to Linux
Last Reviewed:2/12/2024

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  CIS 50.71

Catalog Description:

Students will learn the basic concepts of the Linux Operating System including essential commands, computer operating system processes, user account controls, file system management, system security, and documentation. Completion of the course will provide a basic working knowledge of: free and open-source software and licenses; essential Linux commands; login and logout sequences; setting passwords; hardware, processes, programs, and the components of the Linux Operating System; creating and restoring compressed backups and archives; system security; users/groups and file permissions for public and private directories; creating and running simple scripts; and, basic system administration.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Students will learn the basic concepts of the Linux Operating System including essential commands, computer operating system processes, user account controls, file system management, system security, and documentation. Completion of the course will provide a basic working knowledge of: free and open-source software and licenses; essential Linux commands; login and logout sequences; setting passwords; hardware, processes, programs, and the components of the Linux Operating System; creating and restoring compressed backups and archives; system security; users/groups and file permissions for public and private directories; creating and running simple scripts; and, basic system administration.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1999	Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

Approval and Dates

Version:	08	Course Created/Approved:	5/12/1999
Version Created:	10/24/2023	Course Last Modified:	2/12/2024
Submitter:	Dave Harden	Course Last Full Review:	2/12/2024
Version Status:	Approved Changed Course	Prereq Created/Approved:	2/12/2024
Version Status Date:	2/12/2024	Semester Last Taught:
Version Term Effective:	Fall 2025	Term Inactive:

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Operate a standard Linux shell by using essential Linux commands and demonstrating comprehension of computer operating system processes.

2. Demonstrate proficiency with user account controls, file system management, and system security.

3. Find and understand Linux documentation.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Organize and manage files and directories.

2. Create, modify, and combine documents.

3. Produce and run shell scripts and programs.

4. Evaluate and customize default system parameters.

5. Design, establish, and maintain multiple user accounts and file system.

6. Analyze and maintain system security.

7. Find and evaluate information about Linux from disparate sources.

Topics and Scope

I. The Linux Community and a Career in Open Source

    A. Linux evolution and popular operating systems

    B. Major open source applications

    C. Open source software and licensing

    D. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills and working in Linux

II. Finding Your Way on a Linux System

    A. Command line basics

    B. Using the command line to get help

    C. Using directories and listing files

    D. Creating, moving and deleting files

III. The Power of the Command Line

    A. Archiving files on the command line

    B. Searching and extracting data from files

    C. Turning commands into a script

IV. The Linux Operating System

    A. Choosing an operating system

    B. Understanding computer hardware

    C. Where data is stored

    D. Your computer on the network

V. Security and File Permissions

    A. Basic security and identifying user types

    B. Creating users and groups

    C. Managing file permissions and ownership

    D. Special directories and files

Assignments:

1. Hands-on exercises to demonstrate each topic

2. Reading approximately 30 pages weekly from the textbook

3. Exams and quizzes (2 - 4)

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 0 - 0%
None
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because problem solving assessments are more appropriate for this course.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 20 - 60%
Hands-on exercises
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 40 - 80%
Exams and quizzes
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 10%
Participation and attendance

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

NDG Linux Essentials 2.21 online course material, Network Development Group. 2022

OTHER REQUIRED ELEMENTS

Student Preparation
Matric Assessment Required:	X	Exempt From Assessment
Prerequisites-generate description:	NP	No Prerequisite
Advisories-generate description:	NA	No Advisory
Prereq-provisional:	N	NO
Prereq/coreq-registration check:	N	No Prerequisite Rules Exist
Requires instructor signature:	N	Instructor's Signature Not Required
BASIC INFORMATION, HOURS/UNITS & REPEATABILITY
Method of instruction:	02	Lecture
	72	Internet-Based, Delayed Interaction
	71	Internet-Based, Simultaneous Interaction
Area department:	CS	Computer Studies
Division:	72	Arts & Humanities
Special topic course:	N	Not a Special Topic Course
Program Status:	1	Both Certificate and Major Applicable
Repeatability:	00	Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Repeat group id:
SCHEDULING
Audit allowed:	N	Not Auditable
Open entry/exit:	N	Not Open Entry/Open Exit
Credit by Exam:	N	Credit by examination not allowed
Budget code: Program:	0000	Unrestricted
Budget code: Activity:	0701	Computer & Information Science
OTHER CODES
Disciplines:	Computer Information Systems
Basic Skills:	N	Not a Basic Skills Course
Level below transfer:	Y	Not Applicable
CVU/CVC status:	Y	Distance Ed, Not CVU/CVC Developed
Distance Ed Approved:	Y	Either online or hybrid, as determined by instructor
Emergency Distance Ed Approved:	Y	Fully Online Partially Online Online with flexible in-person activities
Credit for Prior Learning:	N	Agency Exam
	N	CBE
	N	Industry Credentials
	N	Portfolio
Non-credit category:	Y	Not Applicable, Credit Course
Classification:	Y	Career-Technical Education
SAM classification:	C	Clearly Occupational
TOP code:	0708.00	Computer Infrastructure and Support
Work-based learning:	N	Does Not Include Work-Based Learning
DSPS course:	N	NO
In-service:	N	Not an in-Service Course

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