Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User Course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview: This course provides a comprehensive, hands-on introduction to operating systems, focusing on both Windows and Linux environments. Over approximately 27 hours of content, learners will gain practical experience navigating filesystems, managing users and permissions, installing software, configuring storage, managing processes, and applying OS skills in real-world scenarios. Each module combines theoretical knowledge with guided lab exercises to build job-ready technical abilities.
Module 1: Navigating the System
Estimated time: 5 hours
- Files and directories
- Text pipelines
- Command-line basics on Windows
- Command-line basics on Linux
- CLI navigation exercises
Module 2: Users and Permissions
Estimated time: 4 hours
- User management
- Group management
- File ACLs
- Special permissions (e.g., SetUID, sticky bits)
Module 3: Package and Software Management
Estimated time: 5 hours
- Installing and removing applications
- Handling dependencies
- Working with package archives
- Using Linux apt package manager
- Using Windows installers
Module 4: Filesystems
Estimated time: 4 hours
- Partitioning disks
- Formatting filesystems
- Mounting and unmounting drives
- Disk usage analysis
- Repair utilities
Module 5: Process Management
Estimated time: 5 hours
- Process lifecycle
- Task monitoring
- System resource usage
- Debugging tools
Module 6: Operating Systems in Practice
Estimated time: 4 hours
- Remote sessions
- Virtualization
- Log analysis
- OS deployment
- Troubleshooting techniques
Prerequisites
- Familiarity with basic computer operations
- No prior OS administration experience required
- Access to a computer for lab exercises
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Navigate Windows and Linux filesystems using both GUI and command line
- Create and manage user accounts, groups, and file permissions
- Install, configure, and remove software via GUI and CLI on both operating systems
- Partition disks, format filesystems, and manage storage mounting
- Monitor and troubleshoot system processes and resource usage