Here's the story: I'm taking classes, but for the fall semester I will be in another state (1.5 drive to campus, so if I HAVE to I can go to see a tutor), but will not be able to attend many (if any) lectures. I'll have access to more than one extra PC, so if something fucks up in that regard I should be alright.

What I'm worried about, is the difficulty of the class. It's freshman level (not that that means much), a 4 credit class and labeled as "Intro". Without an instructor, and no prior knowledge of any OSs but Windows and Mac, how difficult do you see this course being? Can I teach it to myself with a lot of research and time put into it?

Next up: the Network Security classes. Not required for my degree, but I see these being useful for my future career. Labeled as Sophomore classes. Again, same question, can I do these on my own or will an instructor improve my understanding dramatically?

Class descriptions:

Introduction to LINUX/UNIX:
"This course introduces students to the UNIX operating system. Students acquire basic knowledge of and skills in the use of the multiuser, multitasking operating system. Topics include the UNIX command structure, user accounts, the file system, directories, the editor, a mail system, input/output commands, file commands, scripting, help commands, and basic system administration. Prerequisite: Completion of COSC 1010 or equivalent experience."

Network Security Fundamentals:
"An introductory course in general security concepts. Students gain knowledge in access control technologies including MAC, DAC, and RBAC; and authentication methods including CHAP, Kerberos, Certificates, Tokens, and Passwords. Students also examine methods to counteract various security attacks including Replay, TCP/IP hijacking, social engineering, password guessing, and malicious code attacks. Prerequisite: Completion of CSCO 2000 or MSFT 2578 or instructor approval."

Network Defense Principles:
"Students gain knowledge and skills to identify elements of firewall design, types of security threats, and responses to security attacks; use best practices to design, implement, and monitor a network security plan; demonstrate system security skills through firewall implementation and testing; use system tools, practices, and relevant technologies to implement a security plan; evaluate practices, tools, and technologies to identify security breaches, sources of attacks, and protect mission critical systems; establish an appropriate level of security based on an analysis of security logs; and use relevant tools to secure a network. Prerequisite: Completion of CSCO 2000 or MSFT 2578 or instructor approval."

Network Attack Principles:
"Students gain knowledge and skills to identify tools and methods used by attackers and learn what kinds of attacks can occur and what kind of evidence they can leave behind. Students also gain understanding of special vulnerabilities of Windows NT/2000. UNIX/Linux and Web Servers. In addition, students examine and apply methods of keeping up with the latest security information and dissect some past attacks to analyze how they were successful and how they could have been prevented."

Computer Forensics:
"An in-depth study of system forensics including methodologies used for analysis of computer security breaches. The student will gather and evaluate evidence to perform postmortem analysis of a security breach. Students also gain knowledge and skills to identify computer and investigation issues, collect evidence, evaluate network traffic, evaluate recovered remnant or residual data and compile lessons learned for future strategies."

The last 4 (security) will not all be taken in one semester, hehe.

Topics include the UNIX command structure, user accounts, the file system, directories, the editor, a mail system, input/output commands...

If that isn't the easiest class imaginable that's an incredibly misleading course description. It sounds like a "how to use linux" class. But really, that doesn't matter. What does matter is whether the professor posts notes and whether you have a way to contact other students. You can't learn shit from books; the assigned readings have way too much information to take it all in and you need to be able to remember things selectively. If the exams are based on things said in class, you're screwed.

Understanding the material is only partially relevant and not by any means the be all end all of passing a class. There are certain things that are on tests, that you have to guess are going to be on the tests and remember them.

If you don't have an alternative to in-class notes that ISN'T the textbook, I would seriously reconsider not going to class, despite the apparent mind-numbing simplicity of what you're taking. Do you know people in those classes that could send you their notes? Could you know them? Look into things.