Syracuse University
School of Computer and Information Science

CIS 333 : The UNIX Operating System and Internet


CIS 500 : Special Topics in UNIX and Internet

UNIX and Internet courses focus on the UNIX operating system and the Internet as synergistic entities. In both courses, Internet tools are used to learn about the UNIX operating system and the UNIX operating system is used to make optimal use of the Internet.

Students registering for the via Internet section of either CIS333 or CIS500 are expected to make use of the Internet as the interactive media between student and instructor. This provides a flexible course format in which the student can read the lecturer's notes (rather than attend the lecture) and complete the lab at any convenient time during the week. The student interacts with the professor on a one-to-one basis via email. All labs and quizzes are conducted via the Internet.

Objectives of the Course

Upon completing the course, it is expected that the CIS333 student will have mastered the fundamental skills needed to use the UNIX system to:

  • make effective use of electronic mail and newsgroups
  • manage a hierarchical file system for user account organization
  • use fundamentalUNIX commands and UNIX file utilities
  • use a text editor (vi or emacs )
  • use the Xwindows graphic-user-interface on a workstation
    (if available)
  • access the resources of the internet and WWW including the use of
  • Archie and Gopher as search tools
  • telnet for remote login and ftp for file transfer
  • use HyperText Markup Language to create Home Pages
  • use an HTML editor and graphic images to create other Web documents
  • program small scripts with the "shell"
  • additional topics as assigned by the instructor

    In addition to the above topics, students enrolled in CIS500 are expected to complete all work involving:

  • searching and modifying text files with grep and sed
  • awk, perl, and JavaScripts*
  • a project involving either UNIX or the Internet (or both).

    *JavaScript is a trademark of SUN Microsystems.

    Course Structure:

    The coverage of material in this course is divided into two related parts:

    1. Lecture.

    Written lecture notes are provided which are designed to present fundamental concepts and examples. The lectures are written in "notes" format, i.e. in a fashion similar to notes used for presentation of lectures in the on-campus course. Additional explanation is included to assist in the understanding of the more in-depth concepts. Graphics are included which illustrate "board work" and give the flavor of a lecture.

    2. Lab:

    Each lecture is accompanied by a laboratory exercise similar to those used in the traditional sciences. Students are given an opportunity for hands-on experimentation with the concepts presented in the preceding lecture.

    Quizzes, Student Participation, and Exams:

    When a lecture has been studied and the lab exercise completed, the student receives a short quiz from the instructor. The quiz covers the lecture and the lab of the previous session. The session quizzes are one form of evaluating student performance in the course. However, student participation is also considered for marking purposes. For students registering in the via Internet section, student participation is defined as communicating with the instructor via email, US Postal Service mail, and by telephone as well as using the special newsgroup for the course (see below).

    A final practicum test is given at the end of the course.

    MODEM Usage:

    Syracuse University maintains a dialup facility which allows access via modem and communications software. Information for modem access is included in special packets provided by the University. Students may elect to individually enroll in unlimited access programs with other Internet Access Providers at reduced (student) rates.

    NewsGroup:

    A special newsgroup has been established for this course. Students are encouraged to post their observations/summaries/questions/etc. to the newsgroup. The newsgroup is meant to encourage students to communicate with one another about what is being learned in lecture, lab, and reading. Using the newsgroup also aids in learning to use the operating system, other newsgroups, and the Internet.

    Texts:

    The UNIX Operating System, 3rd ed., Kaare Christian and Susan Richter (required)

    The following text is not required, but is recommended as a supplement to lecture information. The texts are available in the SU Bookstore on campus and other retail bookstores nationwide. Students may substitute other books of an equivalent nature.

    The Whole Internet User's Guide and Catalog, Ed Krol

    Each 3 cr. hr. course is available for on-campus registration as well as via Internet registration. For information regarding semester schedules and enrollment, contact Carol Heil, University College Program Administration, Syracuse University.

    Lectures and Labs. (Access Restricted)

    Written by Wanda Dann and Ravi Shankar .
    Special Thanks for contributions from Jeremy Impson, Steve Cooper, Mohammed AbuAyshi, and Alex Cecarreli.