Instructional Contact Hours

This is a three (3) credit-hour lecture/lab course. Plan to spend 2.5 hours per class period working on assignments.

Minimum Expectation for Hours Spent on Out-of-Class to Complete Coursework

Plan to spend at least 3 hours on homework weekly. Accelerated courses will require additional time per week.

Required Texts, Materials and Technologies

All course materials are provided online by Amazon Web Services at no cost, so you won’t need to purchase a textbook or access code.

Recommended Resource

AWS Skill Builder

Reliable Computer & Internet Access

Most of your course work will be completed online. You are expected to have regular access to a computer with a stable internet connection.

Webcam and Microphone

Since this course includes synchronous online sessions via Zoom, you’ll need both a functional webcam and microphone for full participation. Most modern computers come equipped with these; however, external devices can also be used or purchased if necessary.

Third-Party Learning Tools

AWS Canvas LMS

All instructional materials—including videos, labs, and quizzes—will be delivered via the AWS Learning Management System, which is separate from Mesa Community College’s Canvas. Please note that grades on AWS Canvas will not automatically transfer to MCC’s Canvas; instead, I will manually export and update them at least once per week. Always check AWS Canvas for the most current quiz and lab scores.

Zoom Video Conferencing

I will use Zoom for our live sessions. A meeting link will be available in MCC's Canvas. If you're unfamiliar with Zoom, you can join a test meeting. to confirm your camera and microphone work properly.

About Your Instructor

I'm passionate about helping students build the skills they need for today's tech careers.

As a Red Hat Academy instructor, I teach using Red Hats official curriculum designed to prepare you for the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) exam.

Outside the classroom, I'm a Quality Matters Peer Reviewer, a certified AWS Instructor, and hold credentials from MIT's Sloan School of Management and the University at Buffalo. I also hold a Certificate of Completion in Generative AI from Purdue University, reflecting my commitment to staying current with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

If you're ready to gain real-world Linux skills, this is the class for you.

How to Contact Me

Instructor: Dennis Kibbe
Email: dennis.kibbe@mesacc.edu
Teleconferencing: Request a Zoom meeting.
Office Location: BA 40 Room: BA 025
Office Hours: My office hours are posted on my contact page
Office Phone: (480) 461-7246

Faculty Regular and Substantive Interaction Practices

In response to the US Department of Education's requirement for regular and substantive interaction (RSI) for online courses, you can expect the following interactions in Canvas. Your instructor will:

Monitor your academic engagement and success and will contact you regarding your progress via the Canvas Inbox.
Regularly provide explanations, examples, or additional course content using Canvas tools to support your learning.
Provide detailed and personalized feedback via the Canvas Gradebook on your assignments in a timely manner.
Respond to student questions via the Canvas Inbox within 24 hours with the exception of weekends and holidays.

Course Schedule

Week 1 (27 August)

Module 0: Course Welcome & Orientation
Module 1: Cloud Concepts Overview

Week 2 (3 September)

Module 2: Cloud Economics and Billing
Module 3: AWS Global Infrastructure Overview

Week 3 (10 September)

Module 4: AWS Cloud Security
Module 5: Networking and Content Delivery

Week 4 (17 September)

Module 6 : Compute
Module 7 : Storage

Week 5 (24 September)

Module 8 : Databases

Week 6 (1 October)

Module 9: Cloud Architecture

Week 7 (8 October)

Module 10: Auto Scaling and Monitoring

Week 8 (15 October)

Course Assessment (You must score 70% or greater.)

Grading Standards and Practices

Letter Grades

Your final letter grade will be determined by the point value of work completed. Quizzes and end-of-chapter labs are graded. Guided Exercises are not graded. Occasionally, Red Hat changes the total point value of a lab mid-class. If this happens I will update the point value of the lab in Canvas. Example, if the point value of a lab was 35 points in Canvas but Red Hat changes it to 30 points I will adjust the points in Canvas to match.

Grade	Percent
A	90-100%
B	80-89%
C	70-79%
D	60-69%
F	0-59%

How I Grade Lab Assignments

The curriculum for this course is provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and is hosted in the AWS Canvas Learning Management System (LMS), not Mesa Community College’s Canvas. All quizzes and labs will be completed in AWS Canvas. Because AWS Canvas is separate from MCC Canvas, your grades will not automatically appear in the MCC Canvas grade book. I will manually import your grades into MCC Canvas, typically once per week. Don’t panic—you can view your most up-to-date scores at any time by checking the AWS Canvas LMS.

Late Assignments

In this class we cover a lot of material in the short eight weeks we have together. It's important that you set aside time each week to read the textbook and work on the guided labs before class. Studies show that short study sessions spread out over several days are more effective and less stressful than cramming at the last minute.

All lab assignments have a due date along with instructions for what to submit. You should turn assignments in by the due date. If you do not submit an assignment on time you can still turn it in by the Available until date without losing points. However, after that date the assignment is locked and you will not receive credit for the assignment. Allow yourself plenty of time to complete assignments and make it a habit to submit them by the due date!

⚠️ If you fail to turn in two consecutive lab assignments you are in danger of being dropped from the class.

Course Final

The Course Assessment in the AWS LMS is the final for this course.

⚠️ You must score 70% or higher to receive a badge of completion from AWS.

Attendance Policy

This is a Live Online class which means you attend the weekly class session using Zoom. If you attend with Zoom I insist that you have a working webcam and microphone and ask that you turn on the webcam during your time attending class. If you read the appropriate textbook chapter and complete the guided labs before coming to class you can complete the graded lab in class where it is easier to get help when you need it.

Excused Absences

MCC's policies excuse absences due to college sanctioned events, death of an immediate family member, jury duty, subpoenas, short-term military service, or religious holidays. Signed absence verification forms or accommodation forms are required prior to absence. District Attendance Policy

Artificial Intelligence Statement

AI will impact you in any career you are seeking. We have the power to shape how AI develops when we engage with it thoughtfully. In this course, I encourage you to creatively experiment with AI keeping a couple of things in mind.

AI is a powerful tool that can be used to assist you in the learning process. It can provide initial answers to questions, help clarify concepts, and provide resources and suggestions for further study.

However, AI is not a substitute for human interaction or critical thinking. As a student in my course, you must use generative AI tools with caution and be mindful of their limitations. It is expected that you use AI as a tool to support your learning, actively engage with course material, and use AI as a tool to supplement, not replace, their own efforts.

Misuse of AI includes copying answers without understanding the material or relying on it too heavily. This is the definition of academic dishonesty and may result in loss of credit and other sanctions. Any evidence of cheating, plagiarism, misuse of AI or other academic dishonesty will be taken seriously and may result in disciplinary action.

By continuing in this course, you agree to abide by this policy and to use generative AI in a manner that supports your learning and academic success but does not replace your learning, critical thinking, or the requirement that you demonstrate to me your learning.

Classroom Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Administrative Policy
Eligibility for Accommodations & Required Documentation
Please request your accommodations through the MCC Disabilities Resources and Services Office at:
Southern & Dobson: (480) 461-7447
Red Mountain: (480) 654-7771
Email: drsfrontdesk@mesacc.edu

Addressing Incidents of Title IX Sexual Harassment

Academic Integrity and Conduct

Learning requires honesty, responsibility, and professional behavior. It is college policy to respond to academic misconduct and dishonesty whether it was committed intentionally or not.

Tuition Charges and Refund

Please see the Course Details section of this syllabus for the refund dates of this course:

District Refund Policy

Helpful Resources for Students

If students need support with academic or basic needs at MCC, such as tutoring and transportation issues, there are resources available. MCC has compiled a list of them, which can be found in the Student Resource Referral Guide.

🩷 MCC Cares

Mesa Community College is committed to providing a personal education for each of our students. When faculty or staff members are concerned about the physical, emotional, academic or personal health of a college student, the support staff can assess the situation, and may contact students to offer support and provide referrals to access the breadth of resources on-campus. Your Care Team

Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Student

It is the student's responsibility to understand the policies listed in this syllabus as these are the guidelines that the instructor will follow for grading, attendance, etc. It is also every student’s responsibility to read and understand the college policies included in the college catalog and/or student handbook as they may apply in the case of an incomplete grade or withdrawal. In addition to this syllabus, all students should be aware of the district Administrative Regulations that articulate student rights and responsibilities.

Changes in the Syllabus or Course Policies

Syllabus policies and course schedule are subject to change to accommodate the needs of the course, by agreement between instructor and all students, or as needed by administration. Students will be notified of any changes in schedule, requirements or policies. Students are responsible for knowing and complying with syllabus information and all college catalog and student handbook policies. Continued enrollment is acceptance of this responsibility.

The Maricopa Community Colleges are EEO/AA Institutions.

CLD110 (23696) Fall 2025 Syllabus

Welcome to Amazon Web Services Cloud Foundations

Course Information

Important Dates