CS 140 COURSE OUTLINE
Course Title: Introduction to Operating Systems 				Updated: June 30, 2010
Course Number: CS 140 
Credits: 4

Institution: Clackamas Community College 
Outline Developed by: Bill Allen, Computer Science Dept.
Course Description: This class introduces the concepts of computer operating systems using multiple operating systems commonly found in the Information Technology field today, including DOS, Microsoft Windows from 3.1 to XP, Apple Macintosh, and UNIX/Linux. It focuses on the differences in user interface, file management, installation, setting up network connectivity and printers, configuring user environments, managing and customizing applications, system tuning and optimization, connecting to the Internet and other topics. Students will have an opportunity to apply their knowledge through hands-on projects and exercises.
Course Objectives: 
•	Provide students with an overview of the history, features and benefits of all of the major microcomputer operating systems, including DOS, Windows 95/98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Mac OS-X and Linux. 
•	Demonstrate and explain the desktop metaphor as exemplified in both the Windows and Mac OS GUIs with a focus on the concepts and skills that are common amongst four versions of Windows (NT, 98, 2000, and XP.)
•	For all of these operating systems, demonstrate and explain their basic features, plus the procedures for installing and configuring the OS, managing applications and files, and installing new applications and hardware devices like printers
•	Explain and demonstrate technical details of the operating system, such as the boot process, file and memory management architecture and various troubleshooting techniques.

Expected Student Outcomes:  Upon successful completion of CS140 students should be able to:
•	Describe the purpose and functions of microcomputer operating systems.
•	Describe each of the major desktop operating systems, including their features, limitations, and requirements
•	Install each of the operating systems except for the Mac OS.
•	Configure and customize each of the major desktop operating systems.
•	Install applications, printers and a network connection for each operating system.
•	Use each of the operating system’s desktop, configuration tools, file system and troubleshooting tools.
•	Run applications in each of the major desktop operating systems.
•	Describe the boot up process and create startup disks for each of the major desktop operating systems.
•	Troubleshoot common problems for each of the major desktop operating systems.
•	Manage security for users, files, and printers

Length of Course: 40 hours with 4 lecture/lab hours per week
Grading Method:  This course may be taken for a letter grade, a pass/no pass grade or audit. Letter grades are assigned on the standard 10% increment scale. 
Prerequisite:  Placement scores for WR101, WR121 (or higher), MTH 65 and CS120; or instructor's permission.
Required Text:  Survey of Operating Systems, Jane Holcombe and Charles Holcombe, McGraw Hill/Osborne, 2003, ISBN: 0-07-222511-4

Major Topic Outline:
WEEK	Topics and Text Chapter	
1 	Chapter 1: Introduction to Operating Systems: Describe the purpose and functions of microcomputer operating systems., Describe major events in the evolution of microcomputer operating systems., List and compare the common microcomputer operating systems.	
2	Chapter 3: The Windows Desktop: Explain the nature and history of the Windows GUI, Navigate the Windows GUI, Manage files in Windows, Configure and customize the Windows desktop, Run applications in Windows, Leave the desktop by logging off and shutting down, Troubleshoot common Windows desktop problems	
3 	Chapter 2: DOS: Measure the value, strengths, and weaknesses of DOS, Install DOS, Use the FAT file system, Use DOS commands for file management and other tasks, Describe the DOS boot up process and create startup disks, Work with DOS in Windows, Troubleshoot common DOS problems	
4	Chapter 4: Windows NT 4.0 Workstation: Describe Windows NT Workstation 4.0 features, limitations, and requirements, Configure Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Customize and manage Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Manage security for users, files, and printers, Troubleshoot common Windows NT 4.0 problems	
5	Chapter 5: Windows 98: Measure the features, strengths, and weaknesses of Windows 98, Install and configure Windows 98, Customize and manage Windows 98, Manage user, files, and printers, Troubleshoot common Windows 98 problems.	
6	Chapter 6: Windows 2000 Professional: Describe Windows 2000 Professional benefits, features, and weaknesses, Install and configure Windows 2000 Professional, Customize and manage Windows 2000 Professional, Manage security for users, files, and printers, Troubleshoot common Windows 2000 Professional problems	
7	Chapter 7: Windows XP Professional: Describe Windows XP Professional benefits, features, and weaknesses, Install and configure Windows XP Professional, Customize and manage Windows XP Professional, Manage user security in Windows XP, Troubleshoot common Windows XP Professional problems	
8	Chapter 8: Macintosh OS 9 and OS X: Describe the history of Apple and the Mac OS, Use the features of the Mac desktop, Configure Mac OS X, Get to know the Mac OS X workspace, Troubleshoot common Mac OS problems	
9	Chapter 9: Linux: Describe Linux features, benefits, and limitations, Log in, Log off, and use Linux commands, Manage files and folders, Use the Gnome desktop, Configure Linux, Troubleshoot common Linux problems	
10	Chapter 10: Introduction to Network Server Operating Systems: Explain the basic concepts of networking, Describe the dominant server operating systems, Describe the common roles of network servers.
Also introduce students to the new Vista operating system via research on the internet.