CS 447/647 -- Syllabus

1. Course:
   CS 447/647 -- Computer Systems Administration

2. Catalog Description:
   • Account maintenance, backups, restoration, system configuration, resource allocation and monitoring, network management, peripheral administration, emphasis on UNIX systems.

3. Objectives:
   Learning what a UNIX System Adminstrator does, and how they do it.

4. Prerequisite:
   • CS 446

5. Texts:
   
   • Unix System Administration Handbook
     by Evi Nemeth, Garth Snyder, Scott Seebass, and Trent R. Hein

6. Term Specific Information:
   • Instructor:
     Dr. Frederick C. Harris, Jr.
   • Office:
     SEM 240A, 784-6571
   • email:
     fredh@cs.unr.edu
   • Class Hours:
     9:00 - 9:50, MWF -- WRB 3005
   • Office Hours:
     10:00 - 10:50 MWF
     other times by appointment
   • Grader:
     

7. Labs and Assignments:
   • There are two types of assignments: exercises and lab assignments. The exercises consist of practice questions which are intended to assist the student in mastering the course content. Some of these assignments will be collected and graded, but you will be informed in advance when an assignment is to be handed in

   • The programming assignments require the solutions to problems using the computer. We will be using the workstations in the College of Engineering Computing Center (SEM 231). You will be instructed how to submit your lab assignments for grading. Typically you will be asked to submit an electronic version of your code, and test runs.

   • Late Labs will be accepted, but will incur progressive penalties. No Labs containing Syntax errors will be graded.

   • All Formal Homework Assignments (Including exercises and labs) and all Exams (Quizzes, Hour Exams, and the Final) are to be treated as individual and not collective efforts. A severe penalty will be given to any assignment which indicates collusion or cheating. The usual penalty for cheating on lab assignments or an exam is failure in the course.

   • You should carefully read the section on Academic Dishonesty found in the UNR Student Handbook (copies of this section are on-line) Your continued enrollment in this course implies that you have read it, and that you subscribe to the principles stated therein.

   • The programming assignments should be considered as "open-book, take-home tests". If you need assistance with such an assignment, you may consult your professor, a CS TA designated to help CS 447/647, your textbook, or any other textbook. You may not receive substantive assistance in any form from any other source (i.e., from another student, from computer center personnel, from paid or unpaid tutors, etc.). Any assistance you receive is to be documented in the comment section of your code.

   • The only help you may receive from another student is with syntax errors or with questions regarding the computer system. Stealing another person's listing or having another person "ghost write" a lab will be considered cheating.

8. Assessment and Grading Scheme:
   
   • There will be 3 Midterm Exam and a Final Exam. All tests will take place in the regular classroom.

   • There will be several announced and unannounced quizzes in lecture.

   • The electronic version of your program is due at 6am on the day it is due (unless otherwise noted). programs turned in after their due date and time will be graded as late. The penalty for late programs will be as follows: max (10%, n^2%) If a written assignment is turned in late, it should be turned in to the Departmental Office. The secretary should stamp (with date and time) all labs submitted late, and then place them in the Instructor's mail box.

     A program or written assignment more than one week late will only receive a grade under special circumstances.

     Note: Every program must be completed, working, and turned in. For each program that is not, the final grade in the course may be lowered by 1/3 of a letter grade.

   • The final grade will be based on (Tentative, subject to change):

     
     

     Section	447	647
     Homework	10%	10%
     Quizzes	15%	15%
     Programs	10%	10%
     Projects	15%	15%
     Exams	30%	30%
     Final	20%	20%

     
     

     Note: I will be using a +/- grading system.
     

     Note: You can not earn a grade for the course higher than your Test average OR your final exam.

   
   

9. Disability Statement:
   
   • If you have a disability for which you will need to request accommodations, please contact me or someone at the Disability Resource Center (Thompson Student Services - 107), as soon as possible.

10. Important Dates: (Tentative -- Subject to Change)
    • Midterm Exam I -- Class 11 - Friday Feb 13
    • Midterm Exam II-- Class 22 - Friday March 12
    • Midterm Exam III -- Class 33 - Wednesday April 12
    • Final Exam -- Thursday May 6 9:45am - 11:45am