Fall 2025
Introduction to PC Operating Systems
Introduction to PC Operating Systems (ITSC 1305) CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours (3 hours lecture) MODE OF INSTRUCTION Face to Face PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE There are no Prerequisite/Co-requisites for this course. COURSE LEVEL Introductory COURSE DESCRIPTION Introduction to personal computer operating systems including installation, configuration, file management, memory and storage management, control of peripheral devices, and use of utilities. END-OF-COURSE OUTCOMES Install, configure, and maintain the operating system; perform basic file management operations; organize and allocate primary and secondary storage; access and control peripheral devices; and run utilities. RECOMMENDED LAB COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to • Install, configure, and maintain the operating system • Perform basic file management operations • Organize and allocate primary and secondary storage • Access and control peripheral devices • Run utilities INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Abhinav Kamatham Email: akamatham@lit.edu Office Phone: 409-257-0058 Office Location: TC-230 Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m -12:00p Tuesday & Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Friday 8:00 am. – 9:30a.m REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS Guide to Operating Systems, 6th Edition, Greg Tomsho, ISBN-13: 978-0357433836 ATTENDANCE POLICY Attendance is recorded in Starfish for each class meeting. DROP POLICY If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. COURSE CALENDAR DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENTS/ Reading (Due on this Date) Week 1 Overview & Syllabus Week 2 Module 1: Operating Systems Fundamentals 9/06 Week 3 Module 2: Modern Client and Server Operating Systems 9/13 Week 4 Module 3: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) 9/20 Week 5 Module 4: File Systems 9/27 Week 6 Module 5: Installing Operating Systems 10/4 Week 7 Module 6: Devices and Device Drivers 10/11 Week 8 Midterm Exam 10/29 Week 9 Module 7: Using and Configuring Storage Devices 10/18 Week 10 Module 8: Virtualization and Cloud Computing Fundamentals 10/25 Week 11 Module 9: Network Fundamentals and Configuration 11/01 Week 12 Module 10: Account and Resource Management 11/08 Week 13 Thanksgiving break 11/15 Week 14 Module 11: Securing and Maintaining an Operating System 11/22 Week 15 Review Week 16 Final Exam 12/1 COURSE CONTENT Part I. Computer Basics Part II. Setting Up and Using Computer Part III. Networking, Security, and Maintenance Part IV. Databases and Software Development COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: • Assignments 40% • Midterm 25% • Finals 35% GRADE SCALE • 90-100 A • 80-89 B • 70-79 C • 60-69 D • 0-59 F TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS The latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc. can be online at https://lit.edu/online-learning/online-learning-minimum-computer-requirements. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or WiFi is necessary to maximize the use of online technology and resources. DISABILITIES STATEMENT The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are federal anti-discrimination statutes that provide comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. LIT provides reasonable accommodations as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to students with a diagnosed disability. The Special Populations Office is in the Eagles’ Nest Room 129 and helps foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment by maintaining partnerships with faculty and staff, as well as promoting awareness among all members of the Lamar Institute of Technology community. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator at (409)-951-5708 or email specialpopulations@lit.edu. You may also visit the online resource at Special Populations - Lamar Institute of Technology (lit.edu). STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT It is the responsibility of all registered Lamar Institute of Technology students to access, read, understand and abide by all published policies, regulations, and procedures listed in the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook. The LIT Catalog and Student Handbook may be accessed at www.lit.edu. Please note that the online version of the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook supersedes all other versions of the same document. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STATEMENT Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into classroom instruction and assignments appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own original work unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to the acceptable use of AI/ChatGPT in their courses STARFISH LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES/INFORMATION 1. Students should log onto Blackboard and access this course at least 3 times a week to keep on track with assignments. And do the assignments by each due date. There are 11 Units. For each unit, there will be a unit quiz in class, students should take it in person. 2. Students should come to class to take Midterm and Final exams in person. 3. Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. 4. Internet Usage – Students are expected to use proper net etiquette while participating in course emails, assignment submissions, and online discussions. 5. Students should turn assignments in by the posted due date and time. Late work is not accepted. All assignments and quizzes stay open the entire term. 6. If you wish to drop a course, the student is responsible for initiating and completing the drop process. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an ‘F’ in the course. 7. If you need to contact the instructor, you can send an e-mail to akamatham@lit.edu. Your e-mail will be answered within 48 hours Monday – Thursday and within 72 hours Friday - Sunday. 8. Assignments may NOT be submitted via email.