This unit introduces students to the fundamentals of computer systems and the computing environment, using Linux as a case study of a modern operating system. Topics covered include: CPU, memory, storage devices, peripheral hardware, networking fundamentals, operating systems fundamentals, practical Linux considerations including Desktop and Enterprise applications, file systems, shell scripting, client/server applications and system administration.
1 hr lecture/wk, 3 hrs laboratories/wk
Contact hours for this unit comprise 1 hour of lecture and 3 hours of practical session per week and approximately 8 hours of study outside classes.
Campbell Wilson
Andy Cheng
At the completion of this unit students will be expected to have understanding of:
Examination (2 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%
| Assessment Task | Value | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Lab Assessments | 40% | Tasks are due during each lab. |
| Examination 1 | 60% | To be advised |
Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through SETU, Student Evaluation of Teacher and Unit. The University's student evaluation policy requires that every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.
For more information on Monash's educational strategy, and on student evaluations, see:
http://www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/directions.html
http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html
If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp
The lab sessions will require the use of Linux (Ubuntu), installed on bootable USB Keys. The software will be provided to students during their first lab session.
| Week | Date* | Activities | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 21/02/11 | No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0 | |
| 1 | 28/02/11 | Hardware I: Introduction to Digital Computers | |
| 2 | 07/03/11 | Operating Systems I: Introduction to Operating Systems | |
| 3 | 14/03/11 | Operating Systems II: Memory Management - Virtual Memory | |
| 4 | 21/03/11 | Operating Systems III: File Management | |
| 5 | 28/03/11 | Operating Systems III: File Management Continued | |
| 6 | 04/04/11 | Operating Systems IV: Process Management Concepts | |
| 7 | 11/04/11 | Operating Systems V: Process Management: Deadlocks and IPC | |
| 8 | 18/04/11 | 8 Operating Systems VI : More Unix Shell basics | |
| Mid semester break | |||
| 9 | 02/05/11 | Operating Systems VII : Unix Shell Scripting | |
| 10 | 09/05/11 | Operating Systems VII : Unix Shell Scripting Continued | |
| 11 | 16/05/11 | Hardware II: Secondary Storage Devices | |
| 12 | 23/05/11 | Hardware III: CPU, Memory & System Performance | |
| 30/05/11 | SWOT VAC | No formal assessment is undertaken in SWOT VAC | |
*Please note that these dates may only apply to Australian campuses of Monash University. Off-shore students need to check the dates with their unit leader.
To pass a unit which includes an examination as part of the assessment a student must obtain:
If a student does not achieve 40% or more in the unit examination or the unit non-examination total assessment, and the total mark for the unit is greater than 50% then a mark of no greater than 49-N will be recorded for the unit
Students will be assessed on how well they carry out the tasks during each lab session.
Assignment coversheets are available via
"Student Forms" on the Faculty website: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/
You MUST submit a completed coversheet with all assignments, ensuring
that the plagiarism declaration section is signed.
Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced.
You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html.
Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University's academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might uphold them.
You can find Monash's Education Policies at:
http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html
Key educational policies include:
The University provides many different kinds of support services for you. Contact your tutor if you need advice and see the range of services available at www.monash.edu.au/students The Monash University Library provides a range of services and resources that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. Students who have a disability or medical condition are welcome to contact the Disability Liaison Unit to discuss academic support services. Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) visit all Victorian campuses on a regular basis