CIST 1130 - Operating Systems Concepts

Corequisite: CIST 1001
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to modern operating systems used in personal, enterprise, and small‑business environments. Students explore the fundamentals of Windows, Linux, macOS, and mobile operating systems, with hands‑on experience in both graphical user interface (GUI) and command‑line interface (CLI) environments. Topics include operating system architecture, installation and configuration, system initialization, user and group management, access control, file systems, storage technologies, and hardware resource management. Students will learn to secure, optimize, and maintain operating systems through patching, system monitoring, endpoint protection, and troubleshooting methodologies. The course also emphasizes modern features such as virtualization, cloud‑integrated services, remote management tools, and cross‑platform interoperability. Practical labs reinforce skills in system imaging, device driver configuration, performance diagnostics, and network connectivity across wired, wireless, and hybrid environments. This course prepares students for real‑world IT support scenarios and aligns with the operating system objectives found in current industry certifications, including CompTIA A+ and related foundational IT credentials. Note: Students enrolled in this course will be assessed a $285 cost recovery fee in addition to tuition and fees. Fees can change at the end of the semester. Contact hours: Class - 1, Lab - 4. Credit hours: 3 (E)