NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS   The North Central Texas College (NCTC) Course Syllabus provides the following as required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB): (1) a brief description of the course including each major course requirement, assignment and examination; (2) the learning objectives for the course; (3) a general description of the subject matter of each lecture or discussion; and (4) any required or recommended readings.  Contact information for the instructor is also provided. The Course Syllabus also provides institutional information to indicate how this course supports NCTC’s purpose and mission. Information specific to a particular section of the course will be included in the Class Syllabus and distributed to enrolled students.

 

Course Title:	Linux Installation and Configuration
Course Prefix & Number:			ITSC1316	Section Number:	400	Term Code:	Spring 2019
Semester Credit Hours:			3	Lecture Hours:	32	Lab Hours:	32
Course Description (NCTC Catalog):
Introduction to Linux operating system. Includes Linux installation, basic administration, utilities and commands, upgrading, networking, security, and application installation. Emphasizes hands-on setup, administration, and management of Linux.
Course Prerequisite(s):		None
Course Type: o - Academic General Education Course (from Academic Course Guide Manual but not in NCTC Core) o - Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course x - WECM Course

 

Name of Instructor:	William Hill
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth Campus, Room 202
Telephone Number:	940-498-6463
E-mail Address:	whill@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
As posted in Canvas and by appointment.

 

 

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:	Susan Svane
Office Location:	Corinth Campus, Room 232
Telephone Number:	Office: 940-498-6292
E-mail Address:	ssvane@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean:	Debbie Huffman
Office Location:	Gainesville Campus, Room CTC2106
Telephone Number:	940-668-3357
E-mail Address:	dhuffman@nctc.edu

Required – Textbook: Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 4^th Edition, Eckert, Course Technology; ISBN: 978-1-305-10716-8. Flash Drive: you will need a blank 8GB or higher flash drive to create a bootable USB drive.

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Points Values
14	Homework Assignments	20% of grade
14	Quizzes	20% of grade
14	Lab Assignments	40% of grade
4	Unit Exams (Lowest exam grade is dropped)	20% of grade

 

 

GRADING SCALE

 

	A	>= 90%		D    >= 60%
	B	>= 80%		F    <   60%
	C	>= 70%

 

 

WECM End-of-Course Outcomes: Install, administer, and manage a Linux system; demonstrate proficiency with Linux utilities, commands, and applications; identify and resolve security-based issues; and integrate a Linux system into an existing network.

 

Attendance is based on participation in this online class, so you are expected to actively participate in the homework assignments, quizzes, online virtual labs, and any discussion forums on a weekly basis. I also expect you to check your email everyday on M-F. I do not check emails on the weekends from Friday at 5:00 pm to Monday morning at 9:00 am. All course email should be through the Canvas email system only.

 

Last Day to Withdraw: For the Spring 2019 semester, the last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 4, 2019. If a student decides to officially drop this course, then it is the student’s responsibility to submit the required forms to the registrar. Students who cease attending and who do not complete a drop slip prior April 4, 2019 will earn a grade of “F”.

 

Policy for Late Assignment Submission: No late assignments will be accepted for full credit – you will lose points for late submittal of any assignment.  No late work will be approved for acceptance after 2 weeks from the original due date. If approved by the instructor, you may submit the late assignments as an attachment to a Canvas Email. The assignments will be graded at the end of the semester IF they will make a difference to your overall grade. That is, for example, if you have a course grade of a “C” and you had late work submitted according to the guidelines above, IF it would raise your letter grade to a “B”, then I would grade the late work. If it would not make a difference, the late work will not be graded, and the previously recorded zero will remain in place.  No late assignments will be accepted after the 6^th week of eight week courses or the 14^th week of 16 week courses. There will be NO exceptions to this policy.

 

 

 

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SUBJECT MATTER FOR EACH MODULE

Topic	General Description of Subject Matter
Introduction to Linux	Introduces operating systems as well as features, benefits, and uses of the Linux operating system. Includes history and development of Linux and Open Source Software.
Linux Installation and Usage	Outlines procedures necessary for the preparation and installation of Linux. Describes how to interact with a Linux system via a terminal and enter basic commands into the Linux shell, such as how to obtain help and properly shut down the system.
Exploring Linux Filesystems	Outlines the Linux filesystem structure and the types of files that can be found within it. Discusses commands that can be used to view and edit the content of those files.
Linux Filesystem Management	Covers the commands used to locate and manage files and directories on a Linux filesystem. Outlines the different methods used to link files as well as how to interpret and set file and directory permissions.
Linux Filesystem Administration	Discusses how to create, mount, and manage filesystems in Linux. Also discusses the various filesystems available for Linux systems and the device files that are used to refer to the devices that may contain these filesystems.
Linux Server Deployment	Introduces the types of configurations and installation considerations that may prove useful when installing Linux in a server environment. Also discusses common problems that may occur during installation, system rescue, and the ZFS distributed file system commonly used on large-scale Linux server systems.
Working with the BASH Shell	Covers the major features of the BASH shell, including redirection, piping, variables, aliases, and environment files. Also details the syntax of basic shell scripts.
System Initialization and X Windows	Covers the different boot loaders that may be used to start the Linux kernel and dual boot the Linux operating system with other operating systems, such as Windows. Discusses how daemons are started during system initialization as well as how to start and stop them afterward. Discusses the structure of Linux graphical user interfaces as well as their configuration and management.
Managing Linux Processes	Covers the different types of processes as well as how to view their attributes, change their priority, and kill them. Discusses how to schedule processes to occur in the future using various utilities.
Common Administrative Tasks	Details three important areas of system administration: printer administration, log file administration, & user administration.
Compression, System Backup, and Software Installation	Describes utilities that are commonly used to compress and backup files on a Linux filesystem. Discusses how to install software from source code as well as how to use the Red Hat Package Manager (RPM).
Network Configuration	Introduces networks, network utilities, and TCP/IP as well as how to configure TCP/IP on a NIC or PPP interface. Details the configuration of name resolution and common networking services and discusses the technologies you can use to administer Linux servers remotely.
Configuring Network Services	Explores the detailed configuration of key infrastructure, Web, file sharing, e-mail, and database network services. More specifically, this chapter examines the structure and configuration of DHCP, DNS, NTP, NIS, FTP, NFS, Samba, Apache Web server, Sendmail, Postfix, and PostgreSQL services.
Troubleshooting, Performance, and Security	Discusses the system maintenance cycle as well as good troubleshooting procedures for solving hardware and software problems. Describes utilities you can use to monitor and pinpoint the cause of performance problems, as well as utilities and procedures you can use to secure the Linux system against unauthorized access.

 

 

Spring 2019 Tentative Schedule for Online ITSC1316.340 – Linux Installation and Configuration

 

Week 1: 1/21—1/25 Introduction and Syllabus. (School Closed for Martin Luther King Day on Monday, 1/21/2019)
Chapter 1 – Introduction to Linux.

 

Week 2: 1/28—2/1
Chapter 2 – Linux Installation and Usage

Week 3: 2/4—2/8
Chapter 3 – Exploring Linux Filesystems

 

Week 4: 2/11—2/15
Chapter 4 – Linux Filesystem Management

 

Week 5: 2/18—2/22 Exam 1 (chapters 1, 2, 3, & 4) first class day of the week in the first hour. Then, lecture on:
Chapter 5 – Linux Filesystem Administration

 

Week 6: 2/25—3/1
Chapter 6 – Linux Server Deployment

 

Week 7: 3/4— 3/8
Chapter 7 – Working with the BASH Shell

 

Spring Break: 3/11—3/15 All campuses closed until Monday 3/18. Please note: Mr. Hill will be unavailable during Spring Break.

Week 8: 3/18—3/22

 

Week 9: 3/25—3/29
Chapter 8 – System Initialization and X Windows

 

Week 10: 4/1—4/5 Exam 2 (chapter 5 - 8) first class day of the week in the first hour. Then, lecture on:
Chapter 9 – Managing Linux Processes

 

Week 11: 4/8—4/12  April 4^th is last day to drop with a “W”
Chapter 10 – Common Administrative Tasks

 

Week 12: 4/15—4/19
Ch.11 – Compression, System Backup, and Software Installation

 

Week 13: 4/22—4/26 Exam 3 (Ch 9 - 11) first class day of the week in the first hour. Then, lecture on:
Chapter 12 – Network Configuration

 

Week 14: 4/29—5/3

Chapter 13 – Configuring Network Services

 

Week 15: 5/6—5/10
Chapter 14 – Troubleshooting, Performance, and Security

 

Week 16: 5/13—5/17 Exam 4 (over Ch 12, 13, & 14) first class day of the week. Commencement is Friday, 5/17.

 

Student Rights & Responsibilities

NCTC Board policy FLB (Local) Student Rights and Responsibilities states that each student shall be charged with notice and knowledge of the contents and provisions of the rules and regulations concerning student conduct.  These rules and regulations are published in the Student Handbook published in conjunction with the College Catalog. All students shall obey the law, show respect for properly constituted authority, and observe correct standards of conduct. 

 

Student Handbook
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.

 

Academic Dishonesty

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 

 

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

1. A grade of 0 for the work in question.
2. Possible academic suspension.

 

Complaint Procedures

If the complaint involves a problem with an instructor, the student shall discuss the matter with the instructor before requesting a conference with the department chair… If the complaint involves a grade received, the student shall collect all tests, papers, daily assignments, class notes and other relevant material prior to the conference with the instructor in question.  (See Student Handbook > Discussion of Complaint)

 

 

ADA Statement

North Central Texas College is committed to providing equal access to educational opportunities to its students with disabilities by providing assistance through “reasonable accommodations”; and a variety of services and resources through the Special Populations Office. The College does not discriminate on the basis of disabilities in admission or access to its programs. Students are responsible for notifying the office of their need for assistance at least two weeks prior to the beginning of a semester. Students with documented disabilities such as mobility, hearing or visual impairments, learning, and/or psychological disorders are eligible for services. The Special Populations Office on the Gainesville Campus is located in the Counseling/Testing Center room ASC 108 (next door to the bookstore). For assistance, call 940/668-4216 ext. 344. 

 

Civil Rights
In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (P.L.88-352), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (P.L. 92-318). and the Age Discrimination Act of 1978 (P.L. 92-256), North Central Texas College does not discriminate against or exclude from participation in any of its programs or activities, either in the student body or the staff, any person on the grounds of sex, race, color, religion, age, handicap, national origin, or veteran status.

 

Web Page

Visit the North Central Texas College web page for information on registration, financial aid, counseling/advising, and cost of tuition and fees. You will also find information on the catalog and semester schedules as well as courses of study. You can keep up with what is happening on campus by checking the calendar of events and the sports news. The web has information on the library as well as links to other areas of interest. Check out our web page at http://www.nctc.edu

 

Additional content for this course may be found in your Canvas account. Please check there for updates and news.

Disability Services (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

If you feel you have needs for services that the institution provides, please reach out to either Wayne Smith (940) 498-6207 or Yvonne Sandman (940) 668-4321.  Alternative students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville. Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209 to arrange for an intake appointment with OSD.

 

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).

http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/disability-services/index.html

 

Support Services

Counseling and Testing staff offer a variety of services to current and prospective students, such as College 101, placement testing, academic advising and course registration, transfer assistance, and College Success seminars (Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, Choosing a Major, Learning Style Strategies, Career Exploration), and much more.  http://www.nctc.edu/counseling-testing/index.html

 

Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, free 24/7 online tutoring through Grade Results and assist new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students.   First generation students can also participate in TRIO, which offers specialized support services.

http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/student-success/tutoring/index.html

 

Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the financial aid offices for more information.  http://www.nctc.edu/financial-aid/index.html

EEOC Statement
North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.

 

Early Alert and NCTC Cares

The NCTC Early Alert program has been established to assist students who are at risk of failing or withdrawing from a course. Your instructor may refer you to this program if you are missing assignments, failing tests, excessively absent, or have personal circumstances impacting your academic performance. If submitted as an Early Alert you will be notified via your NCTC e-mail address and then contacted by a Counseling and Testing advisor or counselor to discuss possible strategies for completing your course successfully.

The NCTC CARES (Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Services) Team addresses behavior which may be disruptive, harmful or pose a threat to the health and safety of the NCTC community-such as stalking, harassment, physical or emotional abuse, violent or threatening behavior, or self-harm. As a student, you have the ability to report concerning behavior, which could impact your own safety or the safety of another NCTC student. Just click the NCTC CARES Team logo posted on MyNCTC, or send an e-mail to CARESTeam@nctc.edu.  As always, if you feel there is an immediate threat to your own safety or welfare (or to another student), please call 911 immediately.

Childcare Reimbursement Program
The Childcare Reimbursement Program provides support services for NCTC students pursuing a career in a technical field of study to help them complete their career plans. The program will reimburse technical declared students a percentage of their daycare expenses if the child is attending a licensed or registered daycare facility.  This is on a first come first serve basis, and is available to students on all 5 campuses. Please note, we do not have a childcare facility on any of our 5 campuses. This is a reimbursement program only.

Students who wish to become eligible for Childcare Assistance Program need to:

• Declare in a technical field of study
• Establish financial need
• Ex: Pell Grant recipient, Food Stamp recipient, W2,  etc.
• Complete a Childcare Reimbursement Program Application and provide all necessary documentation.  The  Application can be found online at http://www.nctc.edu/_documents/default-source/student-services/2017-networks-packet.pdf  

For more information, please contact Yvonne Sandmann on the Gainesville Campus at 940-668-3300, or by email at ysandmann@nctc.edu.

 

Student Success Center

The Student Success Center is designed to help all students at NCTC develop tools to achieve their academic goals. The center links students to FREE tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, and free online tutoring in the evening.  The program helps students acclimate to college by providing students free interactive workshops. For more information, please visit your nearest Student Success Center.

 

 

Other Pertinent Information

Dropping Courses:

If a student’s personal circumstances dictate that he or she needs to reduce his/her academic load, that student should confer with his/her advisor for assistance in adjusting the number of courses being taken.  A grade of “W” will be given to students who officially withdraw from a course, or “drop”, at least by Thursday of the 11th week of a Fall or Spring semester, or a proportional number of weeks prior to the end of a flex-entry course or summer session.  Any drops after this will be made with the approval of the instructor and the Department Chair.

It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the action necessary to drop courses under the conditions outlined above.  This requires the completion of a petition for course drop form available in the Registrar’s Office on any NCTC Campus or by going to the NCTC website at www.nctc.edu and clicking on Admissions and Registration.  Choose the forms on-line option and follow directions for submission of form.  This form must be submitted on or before the last day to drop with a “W” (see Academic Calendar in front of catalog for specific date) and it is not available until after the official date of record. Prior to the official date of record, a student should go to the Registrar’s Office and complete the required forms.

Students who register for courses are required to drop any courses they no longer wish to attend or a final grade will be assigned.  Instructors may drop students from courses for non-attendance by completing a petition for course drop.

Class Communications:

I also expect you to check your email everyday on M-F. I do not check emails on the weekends from Friday at 5:00 pm to Monday morning at 9:00 am.

 

Certificate Programs:

If you are planning to complete a certificate, you must take the competency exam prior to graduation. Contact Susan Svane at ssvane@nctc.edu within three weeks of graduation.

 

Tobacco-Free Campus
NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco on campus property. NCTC is aware that tobacco use influences underage students which cumulates unsightly tobacco litter and interferes with assuring clean air for all who come to NCTC. NCTC recognizes the health hazards of tobacco use and of exposure to second hand smoke. Information on a tobacco cessation program is available for students, faculty, staff who wish to stop using tobacco products. We would like to "thank you" for your help in making our campuses Tobacco-Free. For questions or concerns please contact the Office of the Dean of Student Services at 940.498.6445.

Notice
While we provide the locations to download the software for this class, it’s your responsibility to install the software on your computer, and ensure it is executing properly. NCTC is not and cannot be responsible for installing any of the software programs and the proper operation of your computer.

 

 

 

 

 

Unit Competencies

 

 

I. Discuss Operating Systems, the key features of Linux, and role of Linux in industry.

            Performance Objectives:

            The student will:

Assessment:

Homework/Lab Assignments for each chapter.

True/False, Multiple Choice, and Matching quiz for each chapter.

Multiple choice exams over textbook.

 

II. Demonstrate the ability to prepare for, install and configure and industry standard version of the Linux operating system.

            Performance Objectives:

            The student will:

Assessment:

Homework/Lab Assignments for each chapter.

True/False, Multiple Choice, and Matching quiz for each chapter.

Multiple choice exams over textbook.

 

III. Discuss the Linux Filesystem and knowledge of filesystem management and administration.

            Performance Objectives:

            The student will:

Assessment:

Homework/Lab Assignments for each chapter.

True/False, Multiple Choice, and Matching quiz for each chapter.

Multiple choice exams over textbook.

 

 

IV. Demonstrate knowledge of the BASH shell and X windows.

            Performance Objectives:

            The student will:

Assessment:

Homework/Lab Assignments for each chapter.

True/False, Multiple Choice, and Matching quiz for each chapter.

Multiple choice exams over textbook.

 

V. Discuss management of Linux processes and common administrative tasks with Linux.

            Performance Objectives:

            The student will:

Assessment:

Homework/Lab Assignments for each chapter.

True/False, Multiple Choice, and Matching quiz for each chapter.

Multiple choice exams over textbook.

 

VI. Demonstrate usage of file compression, system backup, and installation of software.

            Performance Objectives:

            The student will:

Assessment:

Homework/Lab Assignments for each chapter.

True/False, Multiple Choice, and Matching quiz for each chapter.

Multiple choice exams over textbook.

 

 

 

 

VII. Discuss troubleshooting of operating system problems and methodologies for measuring and enhancing system performance.

            Performance Objectives:

            The student will:

Assessment:

Homework/Lab Assignments for each chapter.

True/False, Multiple Choice, and Matching quiz for each chapter.

Multiple choice exams over textbook.

 

VIII. Discuss configuration of networks, network services and security.

            Performance Objectives:

            The student will:

Assessment:

Homework/Lab Assignments for each chapter.

True/False, Multiple Choice, and Matching quiz for each chapter.

Multiple choice exams over textbook.

Workforce Education Program Elements (SCANS Skills)

 

The Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) conducted extensive research and interviews and determined that “workplace know-how” consists of two elements:  foundations skills and workplace competencies.  Upon successful completion of the courses in this program, students will have demonstrated the following competencies: 

 

1. Foundation Skills

 

1. Basic Skills:  A worker must (i) read, (ii)write, (iii) perform arithmetic and mathematical operations, (iv) listen, and (v) speak effectively.

 

1. Thinking Skills: A worker must (i) think creatively, (ii) make decisions, (iii) solve problems, (iv) visualize, (v) know how to learn, and (vi) reason effectively.

 

1. Personal Qualities:  A worker must display (i) responsibility, (ii) self-esteem, (iii) sociability, (iv) self-management, (v) integrity, and (vi) honesty.

 

 

1. Workplace Competencies

 

1. Resources:  A worker must identify, organize, plan, and allocate resources effectively.  This includes (i) time, (ii) money, (iii) material and facilities, and (iv) human resources.

 

1. Interpersonal Skills:  A worker must work with others effectively to (i) participate as a member of a team, (ii) teach others new skills, (iii) serve clients/customers, (iv) exercise leadership, (v) negotiate, and (vi) work with diversity.

 

1. Information:  A worker must be able to (i) acquire and use information, (ii) organize and maintain information, (iii) interpret and communicate information and (iv) use computers to process information.

 

1. Systems:  A worker must understand complex interrelationships as in (i) understanding systems, (ii) monitor and correct performance, and (iii) improve and design systems.

 

1. Technology:  A worker must be able to work with a variety of technologies, e.g. (i) select technology, (ii) apply technology, and (iii) maintain and troubleshoot equipment.