Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Division: Technology
Course Prefix and Number: NETW 150
Course Title: Workstation Operating Systems
DATE PREPARED:
August 06, 1998
DATE REVISED:
September, 2011
PCS/CIP/ID NO:
1.2-110901
IAI NO. (if available):
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS: January, 2012
CREDIT HOURS:
CONTACT HOURS:
LECTURE HOURS:
3
4
2
LABORATORY HOURS: 2
CATALOG DESCRIPTION (Include specific prerequisites):
Prerequisite: CSCI 101. This course presents the features of a workstation operating
system and takes a detailed look at command line based and graphical user interface
based microcomputer operating systems. The class will be taught using Windows 98,
Windows 2000, Windows XP and DOS in a Windows format. Includes discussion
concerning Network Operating Systems and functional criteria for operating system
design, job management, task management, data management, resource allocation and
dump and trace facilities.
TEXTBOOKS:
Andrews, Jean. A+ Guide to Software: Managing, Maintaining, and Troubleshooting, 5th
Edition. Boston, MA: Course Technology, 2010, or a comparable text that addresses at a
minimum the topics listed in the Course Outline and that provides students with the
opportunity to achieve the learning outcomes for this course.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
NETW 150 was designed to meet the specific needs of a Certificate or Associate of
Applied Science degree. Please see an academic advisor for an explanation concerning
transfer options.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Course Outcomes:
1. Describe the evolution of operating systems.
2. List the key characteristics of different types of operating systems.
3. Explain the role of CPU in supporting the input/output strategies.
4. Describe the concept of a process.
5. Explain the synchronization problems related to the concurrent execution of
processes.
6. Explain the issues involved in the management of main memory.
7. Explain the problems and techniques of secondary storage management.
8. Discuss the various operating system designs and components and describe
how they relate to the coordinated functioning of the computer.
9. Describe the data flow through a computer as directed by the operating system
and other system software.
10. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the major existing operating
systems.
11. Explain simple programs in operating system languages.
Range of Assessment Methods:
Exams, Quizzes, Homework, Labs, and Hands-on Performance Tests
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Introducing Operating Systems
Working with People in a Technical World
Installing Windows
Maintaining Windows
Optimizing Windows
Tools for Solving Windows Problems
Fixing Windows Problems
Networking Essentials and Practices
Security Essentials and Practices
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Students will be evaluated by examinations, quizzes, assignments, and on the basis of
their participation in class discussions.
Assessment Method
Assignments & Competency Labs
Exams
Comprehensive Hands-On Final Exam
Comprehensive Final Exam
Total
% of final grade
40%
30%
10%
20%
100%
Grading Scale:
90% - 100% A
80% - 89%
B
70% - 79% C
60% - 69% D
Below 60% F
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
Required reading assignment of an approximately 400-page textbook. Various writing
assignments to explain processes, concepts, or traits of the operating systems covered will
be required in assignments and exams.