Introduction to the Command Line - ONLINE (2024-II)

Course description

An operating system is a sophisticated suite of computer programs that enable users to interact with the software and hardware of a computer. Personal computers most commonly operate on Microsoft's Windows, but there are alternatives like Apple's macOS and free and open-source Unix-like operating systems. Linux is based on Unix and is very popular among bioinformaticians.

While the graphical interfaces of Linux systems are (often) intuitive, the text-based interface (called the command line) can be a bit daunting. However, once familiar with the command line, you will find it to be efficient and powerful. Note that you can access the command line from within the graphical interface, so you can use both on one screen! In this course you will learn the basics of using the command line as the interface to operate a computer.

Learning objectives

• Linux
• Files and Folders
• Searching
• Installing and running software

Instructional method

Online course with 4 virtual sessions. At the end of the course a final assignment is given to test your progress. It is mandatory to attend the final assignment.

Even though the training is online and at your own pace, please be aware to start on time. There is no delay possible at the end of the training.  

Trainer

You will be trained by one of the professionals of Utrecht Bioinformatics Center, Utrecht University.

Group size            

25 to 35 participants

Number of credits                                 

1.5 EC

Course schedule

Study load

In addition to the scheduled sessions, you should take into account an extra study load of approximately 35 hours in total. This study load consists of online modules with exercises and assignments.

Course certificate                                

You will receive a course certificate after actively participating in all course sessions and passing the Final Assignment.

Cancellation and No-show policy

This course is free for GSLS PhD candidates. However: free of charge does not mean free of responsibility. Once you have signed up for a course, we expect you to attend. For every late cancellation or no-show we have had to disappoint others who would have liked to attend. This is our policy:

• You may cancel free of charge up to 4 weeks before the start of the course. After this date you can only cancel if you have a GSLS PhD candidate to replace you in the course. Send the name and contact information of your replacement to pcc@uu.nl, at least 2 working days before the start of the course;
• We expect that you actively attend the full course, but at least 80%. It is mandatory to attend the first session. If you are absent the first session you cannot follow the remaining of the course;
• Not meeting the above requirements means you will be charged a no-show fee (€ 74). We will send the invoice after the course has ended. We are unable to make any exceptions, unless you have a valid reason (i.e., illness or death in the family 1^st/2^nd degree or partner). Your supervisor has to send an e-mail to pcc@uu.nl indicating the reason.

Unfortunately we don’t offer this course for participants not part of the GSLS. Our courses tend to be fully booked by GSLS PhD candidates.