Hennepin Technical College
Course Syllabus 6/2/2006
Computer Careers
CCIS1135 - Desktop Linux

Instructor: Jeremy Anderson
Questions should be created as issues on the github repository at http://github.com/andersje/ccis1135/

Text and References

This class is taught without a textbook. Instead, a large number of online articles are referenced. The student is expected to use online and offline resources to supplement classroom material.

Special Course Requirements

Students who have not taken the prerequisite course(s) are responsible for obtaining permission from the instructor to register for advanced coursework requiring those prerequisites. Students are required to read, sign and date an Internet policy. A reasonable grasp of English is required, as is some degree of competence in typing. Hunt-and-peck typers will find the Linux courses particularly challenging.

Technology

All students in Computer Careers courses will sign an Internet Policy form, reminding them of the consequences of inappropriate actions while using the Internet.

Instructional Methods

Student responsibilities include regular attendance, punctuality, positive relationships with other students and staff, appropriate behavior and attitude and acceptable progress.

All assignments are listed on the syllabus. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that assignments are complete and given to the instructor when due. Assignments will be accepted before they are due, but may not be graded immediately.

To do well in this course, you should attend lectures, complete your assignments, review the lecture presentations and your own notes. Check the class website: http://ccis1135.linux-classes.com/ If you need assistance, ask the instructor for help.

Course Scheduling

The scheduled hours of instruction include sixteen hours for each lecture credit. Lecture credit may include formal or impromptu lectures, demonstrations or discussions with the entire class or with small groups or individuals. This summer session course will have 8 scheduled in-class periods, with the remaining activities to be completed online. Online activities will include take-home labs, reading and research.

Course Calendar

Please note that all reading assignments should be completed before the class for which they are listed, with the exception of the first week's reading assignment.
WeeksessionTopicsHomework
1 classroom Distribution of CDs
Overview of course and responsibilities
Booting Ubuntu
Installing Ubuntu
Using Ubuntu
Window managers vs desktop environments
 		Lab 1
1 online http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_computing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_operating_systems
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_computing_hardware
http://www.gnome.org/learn/users-guide/latest/basic-skills.html -- read about mouse and keyboard skills
http://www.gnome.org/learn/users-guide/latest/overview.html -- read all of the dekstop overview and session sections
2 classroom icons, launchers, folders, emblems, applications vs. operating systems
Installing software through ubuntu
Exploring the system
Printing		 Lab 2
2 online http://www.gnome.org/learn/users-guide/latest/overview.html -- read all of the dekstop overview and session sections
http://www.gnome.org/learn/users-guide/latest/panels.html -- read working with panels, the panel menu bar, and the nautilus filemanager
3 classroom different user accounts and their roles
filesystem organization
typical user directory organization
Software installation from the command line
http://www.gnome.org/learn/users-guide/latest/panels.html -- read working with panels, the panel menu bar, and the nautilus filemanager
http://www.gnome.org/learn/users-guide/latest/tools -- read all remaining sections of the gnome user's guide.		 Lab 3
3 online Midterm Exam be prepared for the exam
4 classroom Go over tests
Web browsing
Email
IRC
instant message
 		Lab 4
4 online Introduction to firefox
Introduction to Thunderbird
Introduction to evolution 2.4 (docs for 2.6 are currently unavailable)
5 classroom Filesharing Lab 5
5 online CUPS user manual
CUPS administrator manual
6 classroom Word processing, spreadsheets and presentations with OpenOffice 2.0. Discussion of OpenOffice.org Base Lab 6
6 online Tutorials for openoffice.org -- read the writer and spreadsheet tutorials
Warming up to OpenOffice.org Base
7 classroom gaming and multimedia
mplayer
noatun
windows codecs
 Lab 7
7 online Alternative window managers: KDE and xfce The KDE user guide
Introduction to fluxbox
The XFCE homepage
8 classroom Final Exam Finish the test, then have a wonderful august!

Grading

Letter grades of A, B, C, D or F will be used in this course as an evaluation of student performance, unless otherwise arranged at the time of registration.

A - performance greatly exceeds course requirements
B - performance surpasses course requirements
C - performance meets course requirements
D - performance is somewhat below course requirements
F - performance is unsatisfactory

Grade intervals for this course are as follows:

A: 100-90% B: 89-80% C: 79-70% D: 69-60% F: less than 60%

Grades will be based upon assignments, quizzes and exams: THESE POINT TOTALS ARE CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW. THEY MAY CHANGE BEFORE Sept 12, 2005.
type of assignments quantity total points
labs7175
tests2200
TOTAL375

Last Date to Withdraw from a Course

Students may drop a course at any time during the semester except during the last ten school days of the semester excluding Saturdays. If a course has concluded, a drop will not be allowed.

Late Assignment Procedure

Assignments are due at the beginning of the class following that during which they are assigned. For example, if a lab is assigned on a Monday, it will be due at the beginning of the next Monday. No late assignments will be accepted.

Testing Procedures

All course examinations are required. Students who are absent from an exam must make arrangements with the instructor before the exam period and schedule a make-up exam within one week. Students will be assigned to a make-up exam period during the daily 5-6 p.m. open lab in H124/125. Unless otherwise noted, all exams for this class are open note, open book, open server.

Academic Misconduct

Cheating will not be tolerated! If you are perceived to be cheating, you will be asked to surrender all testing materials and leave immediately without incident. Disciplinary sanctions may be forthcoming in accordance with the college misconduct policy.

Incomplete Policy

Hennepin Technical College does not offer an incomplete grade option. Courses that have not been completed by the end of the semester may result in a reduced grade or a failure. Students, with special instructor permission, may make arrangements to complete the course work and have the grade changed in the next semester.

Professionalism

An expected outcome for this class that each student will promote and exhibit personal, professional and academic ethics. The following observable characteristics will be assessed:

  1. Demonstrate respect for others.
  2. Accept responsibility for one's own actions.
  3. Display honesty and integrity.
  4. Understand and apply the ethical standards consistent with one's work environment.

Tools and Supplies

You are required to have a #2 pencil for this course.

Classroom / Lab / Shop Restrictions

Children are not allowed in the classroom or lab area. Safety and health procedure, as outlined by the instructor, are in effect at all times.

Support Services

Students and prospective students are encouraged to consult with counselors on any academic or personal concerns. Counseling services include career information, advising, determination of major, selection of courses, Career Development Services, referral to the Disability Services Coordinator and personal counseling. For more information about Computer Careers, contact Gini Beran, at (763) 488-2412.

As a student at Hennepin Technical College, you may be interested in accessing the services offered through the Learning Resource Center. The Learning Resource Center provides a positive learning environment for all students in technical college programs.

Open Computer Labs are available at the Brooklyn Park (C106) and Eden Prairie Campus (D115) with hours posted on the doors. As stated in the HTC student handbook, all students who want to use the computer labs need to have a valid college I.D. and need to sign in when entering the lab. There are 20 PC's, and 10 MAC's at each campus. A list of available software is available in the lab.

All students are encouraged to activate their student e-mail account through metnet. Using a valid student id card check out: www.metnet.edu to initialize your account.