Computer Science 201 3 College Credits NCCRS Credit Recommended

Introduction
to Linux

The operating system behind the internet, the cloud, and most of the world's servers. Learn to use it fluently and you become immediately more valuable.

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NCCRS Credit Recommended 3 Credit Hours Self-Paced
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Self-Paced · Final Exam · NCCRS Recommended

What You'll Learn

A full semester of introduction to linux — completed at your own pace, with no deadlines or fixed class times.

Learning Outcomes

What You'll Be Able to Do

  • Analyze the historical progression of operating systems, identify significant milestones, explain the factors driving their evolution, and evaluate their impact on modern computing paradigms
  • Master the fundamentals of Linux, including its origins, development process, and features, applying this knowledge to appreciate its significance across various industries and career paths in software development, system administration, and community management
  • Evaluate hardware requirements and select appropriate Linux distributions for installation on various systems, making informed decisions in system setup and configuration
  • Develop practical skills for installing Fedora Linux on local machines and virtual environments, applying troubleshooting techniques and best practices to ensure seamless integration
  • Develop proficiency in managing Linux user accounts, implementing security measures, and controlling user permissions to evaluate system integrity and ensure data confidentiality for effective system administration
  • Interpret core concepts of shell, terminal, bash, and kernel in Linux, and apply basic commands to navigate the system and perform essential tasks, fostering efficient command-line interaction and automation
Topics Covered

Major Course Topics

Linux ecosystem & distributions
Linux history, philosophy & community
Boot process & kernel fundamentals
Filesystems & data management
Linux desktop & basic operations
System configuration & software management
Essential Linux applications
Command line & basic utilities
Documentation & help resources
Process management & monitoring
Text editors: nano, vi & emacs
User & system management
Text processing & file manipulation
Networking & data transfer
Shell scripting fundamentals
Advanced shell scripting techniques
Comprehensive Linux security

Grading: 25% Attendance · 25% Quizzes · 25% Assignments · 25% Final Exam

From the syllabus · Computer Science 201

Course chapters and lessons

Introduction to Linux has 18 chapters across 65 instructional hours, as listed in the course syllabus. Expand any chapter to see the lessons inside it.

Chapters
18
Lessons
121
Instructional hours
65 hrs
Semester hours
3
18 chapters  ·  121 lessons  ·  3 semester hours
Chapter 1

Introduction to Linux and Its Ecosystem

5 lessons · 4 hrs
  1. 1.1 The Linux Foundation: Events, Training, and Certification
  2. 1.2 Linux and Software Specifications
  3. 1.3 Red Hat Family Systems (including CentOS and Fedora)
  4. 1.4 SUSE Family Systems (including openSUSE)
  5. 1.5 Debian Family Systems (including Ubuntu and Linux Mint)
Chapter 2

Linux History, Philosophy, Community, and Distributions

6 lessons · 4 hrs
  1. 2.1 An In-Depth Exploration of Linux History and Its Evolution
  2. 2.2 Understanding the Linux Philosophy: An Overview
  3. 2.3 Exploring the Linux Community: Overview, Insights, and Open Source Software (OSS) Usage
  4. Lab 1: What OSS Products Do You Use?
  5. 2.4 A Comprehensive Overview of Linux Terminology
  6. 2.5 Linux Distributions and Their Associated Services
Chapter 3

Boot Process, Kernel, Filesystems, and Linux Installation

5 lessons · 3 hrs
  1. 3.1 Understanding the Linux Boot Process: From BIOS to Text-Mode Login
  2. 3.2 Exploring the Linux Kernel, Initialization, and Systemd: Features and Practical Applications
  3. Lab 2: Apache Web Server Status
  4. 3.3 Linux Filesystems: Partitions, Hierarchy Standards, and Graphical Interface Insights
  5. 3.4 Selecting and Installing a Linux Distribution: Key Considerations and Installation Steps for Ubuntu and CentOS
Chapter 4

Working with the Linux Desktop and Basic Operations

5 lessons · 2.5 hrs
  1. 4.1 Graphical Desktop: X Window System, GNOME, Customization, and Practical Labs
  2. Lab 3: Customizing the Desktop
  3. 4.2 User Session Management in Linux: Logging In, Switching Users, and Power Options
  4. 4.3 Basic Linux Operations: Managing Applications, Files, and Directories with Hands-On Labs
  5. Lab 4: Viewing File Sort Options
Chapter 5

System Configuration and Software Management in Linux

7 lessons · 2.5 hrs
  1. 5.1 Configuring System Settings in Linux: Display, Time, and Advanced Tweaks
  2. Lab 5: Getting and Setting Screen Resolution
  3. Lab 6: Working with Time Settings
  4. 5.2 Network Configuration in Linux: Managing Wired, Wireless, Mobile, and VPN Connections
  5. Lab 7: Managing Network Connections
  6. 5.3 Installing and Updating Software in Linux: A Guide to Debian, RPM, and openSUSE Package Management
  7. Lab 8: Installing and Removing Software Packages
Chapter 6

Exploring Essential Applications in Linux

5 lessons · 3 hrs
  1. 6.1 Exploring Internet Applications in Linux: Web Browsers, Email, and More
  2. 6.2 Office and Development Applications in Linux: Exploring LibreOffice and Development Tools
  3. 6.3 Multimedia Applications in Linux: Sound Players, Movie Players, and Editors
  4. 6.4 Graphics Editors and Utilities in Linux: Exploring GIMP and Other Tools
  5. Lab 9: Examine Installed Applications on Your System
Chapter 7

Mastering Basic Linux Command Line Operations

10 lessons · 4 hrs
  1. 7.1 Introduction to the Linux Command Line: Terminals, Basic Utilities, and Managing sudo
  2. Lab 10: Killing the Graphical User Interface
  3. 7.2 Basic Operations in Linux: User Management, Filesystem Navigation, and Directory Access
  4. Lab 11: Locating Applications
  5. 7.3 Working with Files and Directories in Linux: Command Line Operations and Practical Exercises
  6. Lab 12: Creating, Moving and Removing Files
  7. 7.4 Managing File Streams and Searching in Linux: I/O Redirection, Pipes, and Advanced File Location Techniques
  8. Lab 13: Finding Directories and Creating Symbolic Links
  9. 7.5 Installing Software on Linux: Understanding Package Management Systems Across Distributions
  10. Lab 14: Installing and Removing Software Packages
Chapter 8

Accessing Documentation and Help Resources in Linux

8 lessons · 4 hrs
  1. 8.1 Exploring Linux Documentation Sources: Accessing Key Resources
  2. 8.2 Mastering man Pages in Linux: Navigating Manual Chapters and Using man Effectively
  3. Lab 15: Working with man
  4. 8.3 The GNU Info System: Navigating and Using info from the Command Line
  5. Lab 16: Working with info
  6. 8.4 Using the --help Option and help Command in Linux: Quick Access to Command Documentation
  7. Lab 17: Working with Command Line help
  8. 8.5 Additional Linux Documentation Sources: Graphical Help, Package Documentation, and Online Resources
Chapter 9

Managing and Monitoring Processes in Linux

8 lessons · 3 hrs
  1. 9.1 Understanding Linux Processes: Types, Scheduling, IDs, and Managing Priorities
  2. 9.2 Process Metrics and Control in Linux: Load Averages and Job Management
  3. Lab 18: Getting Uptime and Load Averages
  4. Lab 19: Background and Foreground Jobs
  5. 9.3 Monitoring Linux Processes: Using ps and top for Process Listing and System Monitoring
  6. 9.4 Scheduling Future and Periodic Tasks in Linux: Using at, cron, anacron, and sleep
  7. Lab 20: Using at for Batch Processing in the Future
  8. Lab 21: Scheduling a Periodic Task with cron
Chapter 10

Linux Filesystems and Data Management

7 lessons · 3 hrs
  1. 10.1 Introduction to Linux Filesystems: Partitions, Mounting, and Network File Systems (NFS)
  2. Lab 22: Exploring Mounted Filesystems
  3. 10.2 Understanding the Linux Filesystem Layout: Key Directories and Their Functions
  4. 10.3 Comparing Files and File Types in Linux: diff, diff3, patch, and file Utility
  5. Lab 23: Using diff and patch
  6. 10.4 Backing Up and Compressing Data in Linux: rsync, Compression Tools, and Archiving with tar
  7. Lab 24: Archiving (Backing Up) the Home Directory
Chapter 11

Text Editors in Linux

2 lessons · 1.5 hrs
  1. 11.1 Basic Text Editors in Linux: nano, gedit, and Visual Studio Code
  2. 11.2 Advanced Text Editors in Linux: Mastering vi and emacs
Chapter 12

User and System Management in Linux

8 lessons · 3 hrs
  1. 12.1 Managing Accounts, Users, and Groups in Linux: User Files, Root Access, and Administrative Tasks
  2. Lab 25: Deploying aliases
  3. 12.2 Working with Environment Variables in Linux: PATH, HOME, SHELL, and PS1
  4. Lab 26: Adding /tmp to Your Path
  5. Lab 27: Changing the Command Line Prompt
  6. 12.3 Recalling and Executing Previous Commands in Linux: History, Shortcuts, and Efficient Command Usage
  7. Lab 28: Command History
  8. 12.4 Managing File Permissions and Ownership in Linux: chmod, chown, and chgrp
Chapter 13

Text Processing and File Manipulation in Linux

10 lessons · 4.5 hrs
  1. 13.1 Text File Manipulation in Linux: Using cat and echo for Command Line Operations
  2. 13.2 Managing Large Files in Linux: Using head, tail, and Viewing Compressed Files
  3. 13.3 Introduction to sed and awk: Stream Editing and Text Processing in Linux
  4. Lab 29: Using sed
  5. 13.4 File Manipulation Utilities in Linux: sort, uniq, paste, join, split, and Regular Expressions
  6. Lab 30: Parsing Files with awk (and sort and uniq)
  7. 13.5 Searching and Extracting Text in Linux: Using grep and strings
  8. Lab 31: Using grep
  9. 13.6 Miscellaneous Text Utilities in Linux: tr, tee, wc, and cut
  10. Lab 32: Using tee and wc
Chapter 14

Networking and Data Transfer in Linux

6 lessons · 3 hrs
  1. 14.1 Understanding Network Addresses and DNS: IP Addressing, IPv4/IPv6, and Name Resolution
  2. 14.2 Configuring Networks in Linux: Interfaces, ip Utility, and Essential Networking Tools
  3. 14.3 Web Browsing and Data Retrieval in Linux: Graphical Browsers, wget, and curl
  4. 14.4 File Transfer in Linux: FTP, SSH, and Secure File Copy with scp
  5. Lab 33: Network Troubleshooting
  6. Lab 34: Non-Graphical Browsers
Chapter 15

Shell Scripting Fundamentals in Linux

9 lessons · 2.5 hrs
  1. 15.1 Exploring Shell Scripting in Linux: Features, Capabilities, and bash Script Examples
  2. Lab 35: Exit Status Codes
  3. 15.2 Mastering Shell Script Syntax: Special Characters, Redirection, Parameters, and Functions
  4. Lab 36: Working with Files and Directories in a Script
  5. Lab 37: Passing Arguments
  6. Lab 38: Environment Variables
  7. Lab 39: Working with Functions
  8. 15.3 Conditional Constructs in Shell Scripting: if, elif, Boolean Expressions, and Testing
  9. Lab 40: Arithmetic and Functions
Chapter 16

Advanced Shell Scripting Techniques

8 lessons · 4 hrs
  1. 16.1 String Manipulation in Shell Scripting: Techniques and Examples
  2. Lab 41: String Tests and Operations
  3. 16.2 Using the case Statement in Shell Scripting: Structure and Practical Examples
  4. Lab 42: Using the case Statement
  5. 16.3 Looping Constructs in Shell Scripting: for, while, and until Loops
  6. 16.4 Debugging Shell Scripts: Techniques for Error Handling and bash Script Debug Mode
  7. 16.5 Advanced Shell Scripting Techniques: Temporary Files, Discarding Output, and Random Data Generation
  8. Lab 43: Using the case Statement
Chapter 17

Linux Printing and Document Management

5 lessons · 2.5 hrs
  1. 17.1 Linux Printing and CUPS: Configuration, Management, and Printer Setup
  2. 17.2 Performing Printing Operations in Linux: Graphical and Command-Line Printing with lp
  3. 17.3 Manipulating PostScript and PDF Files in Linux: Tools and Techniques for Conversion, Encryption, and Editing
  4. Lab 44: Creating PostScript and PDF from Text Files
  5. Lab 45: Combining PDFs
Chapter 18

Comprehensive Linux Security

7 lessons · 4 hrs
  1. 18.1 Understanding Linux Security: User Accounts and the root Account
  2. 18.2 Understanding Root Privileges in Linux: When and Why They Are Required
  3. 18.3 Enhancing Linux Security: sudo, Process Isolation, Hardware Access, and System Updates
  4. Lab 46: sudo
  5. 18.4 Managing Passwords in Linux: Storage, Encryption, and Best Practices
  6. Lab 47: Password Aging
  7. 18.5 Securing the Linux Boot Process and Hardware: Addressing Boot Loader, Hardware, and Software Vulnerabilities

These chapters come straight from the official course syllabus, which also sets out the 2 graded assignments and the proctored final exam.

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The operating system behind the internet, the cloud, and most of the world's servers. Learn to use it fluently and you become immediately more valuable.

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FAQ

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Everything you need to know about Introduction to Linux — credits, grading, transfer, and how it compares to traditional options.

What is Introduction to Linux?
Introduction to Linux is a hands-on college-level course covering Linux system administration and fundamentals. It is Computer Science 201 — worth 3 credit hours, carrying an NCCRS recommendation.
Do I need prior programming experience for Introduction to Linux?
No prior experience is required. The course is designed to take you from fundamentals to practical competency, with structured lessons and exercises that build your skills step by step.
Is the Introduction to Linux course self-paced for college credit?
Yes. The course is fully self-paced with no deadlines or fixed class times. Most students complete it in 28–30 days, but you can move faster or slower depending on your schedule.
How many college credits is Introduction to Linux worth?
This course carries an NCCRS recommendation for 3 semester credit hours in Computer Science or Informatics. UPI Study courses follow the same evaluation standard used across thousands of colleges and universities.
How is the Introduction to Linux course graded? Are there exams?
Yes — the course includes quizzes, assignments, and a final exam. Your grade is equally weighted: 25% Attendance · 25% Quizzes · 25% Assignments · 25% Final Exam.
Will my university accept Introduction to Linux credits from UPI Study?
Check our Find My College directory. If your university recognizes NCCRS credit recommendations, UPI Study courses can be considered; the final decision is with the university. You can also book a free call with our team.
Why take Introduction to Linux online instead of at a traditional university?
A traditional university course in this subject typically costs $500–$1,500+ per credit hour and requires fixed schedules, campus attendance, and semester timelines. UPI Study covers the same NCCRS-recommended content at $250 total, with no deadlines and no campus requirement.
Can international students take Introduction to Linux for college credit?
Yes. UPI Study courses carry an NCCRS recommendation — recognized by NCCRS cooperating institutions in the U.S., Canada, the UK, and other countries. Students have submitted credits across 26+ countries.
Do I need programming experience for Intro to Linux?
No, but basic computer literacy helps.
What does Intro to Linux cover?
Command-line basics, file systems, permissions, and shell scripting fundamentals.
Is Linux required for cybersecurity or sysadmin tracks?
Frequently yes or strongly recommended.
Where will my college put this credit?
Usually as transfer credit, credit for prior learning (CPL), or noncollegiate/alternative credit, the same route colleges use for professional training evaluated by NCCRS. The final decision is with the university.

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