CIS 112 - Cloud Foundations with AWS

Description
This introductory course covers the fundamentals of cloud computing using Amazon Web Services (AWS). It is designed for students with little to no prior experience. Topics include cloud concepts, core AWS services, security, pricing, and architectural best practices. Students will gain hands-on experience with AWS tools and services, enhancing their understanding of real-world cloud applications.

The course prepares students to take the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification exam.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:

Understand key cloud computing concepts, including the benefits of cloud computing, cloud design principles, deployment models, and principles of elasticity, scalability, and on-demand availability.
Describe such fundamental AWS services as compute, storage, networking, and database services.
Explain AWS security concepts and methods, including shared responsibility, access management, and data protection.
Identify and compare AWS pricing structures and tools.
Perform basic operations in the AWS Management Console, such as setting up instances, configuring storage, and exploring AWS solutions.

Course Outline:
I. Cloud Concepts

I.A. Benefits of the AWS Cloud

I.B. Cloud Design Principles

I.C. Cloud Economics

II. Security and Compliance

II.A. The AWS Shared Responsibility Model

II.B. AWS Cloud Security, Governance, and Compliance

II.C. AWS Access Management

II.D. Components and Resources for Security

III. AWS Cloud Technology and Services

III.A. Methods of Deploying and Operating

III.B. The AWS Global Infrastructure

III.C. Compute Services

III.D. Database Services

III.E. Network Services

III.F. Storage Services

III.G. Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics Services, and Other Services

IV. Billing, Pricing, and Support in AWS

IV.A. AWS Pricing Models

IV.B. Billing, Budgeting and Cost Management

IV.C. Technical Resources and Support Options

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
Yes
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 35-45%

Lab work: 35-45%

Facilitated discussion/group work: 10-30%
Mandatory Course Components:
Quizzes / Tests

Labs / Homework Assignments

Final Exam
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: NA
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: NA

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None

Course Type:
Program Requirement- Offering designed to meet the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 105329
Course CIP Code: 19.9999
Maximum Course Enrollment: 26
School: School STEM
Department: Computer Information Systems
Discipline: CIS
First Term Valid: Fall 2025 (8/1/2025)
1st Catalog Year: 2025-2026
Name of Course Author:
Svetoslav Pavlov

Faculty Credential Requirements:
Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement), Professionally qualified through work experience in field (Perkins Act or Other) (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
A master’s degree in CS/CIS or IT-related field.

Course Review & Revision Year: 2029-2030