TRI-COUNTY TECHNICAL COLLEGE

 

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Number:        CPT 285

 

Course Title:              PC Hardware Concepts

 

 

Class  Hours

Per week:       3

Lab Hours

Per Week:      0

Credits

Awarded:     3

 

Catalog  Description:     

This course focuses on installing and upgrading microcomputer hardware and identifying malfunctions.

 

Entry Level Skills:

The student should have:

·         a general knowledge of computer systems and components.

  • the ability to read and comprehend text to include interpreting acronyms and technical terms.
  • the ability to write, read and follow directions.
  • the ability to perform basic mathematical operations based on a series of incremental processes.

 

Pre-requisites:

CPT 167

Co-requisites:

None

Text(s)/Required Materials:

·        Text(s): A+ Guide to Hardware: Managing, Maintaining and Troubleshooting, Third Edition, Enhanced, Jean Andrews, Course Technology/Thomson Learning, © 2005

·        Storage media: USB flash drive

 

Course Competencies and

Objectives:

 

As students complete the CPT 285 learning activities, they will

·        Identify the hardware and specifications of a microcomputer.

·        Define appropriate system specifications based on selected parameters.

·        Install/modify hardware devices and make the related modifications to software.

·        Determine the software installed on a microcomputer.

·        Install/upgrade/configure operating system software.

·        Install/upgrade/configure application software, including menu/icon shortcuts.

 

·        Resolve system problems and/or fine tune a system using utility packages.

·        Install/configure/use system protection software (backup/restore, anti-virus).

·        Identify personnel issues regarding management of microcomputer systems.

Major Course Topics:

 
  • How Computers Work
  • Electricity and Power Supplies
  • The Motherboard
  • Managing Memory
  • Storage Media -Floppy Drives, Hard Drives
  • Supporting I/O Devices
  • Modems, Networking
  • Supporting Printers
  • Troubleshooting and Maintenance Fundamentals
  • Error Messages and Their Meanings
  • Understanding Binary & Hexadecimal systems
  • Electricity and Multimeters

 

Grade Calculation Method:

The student will earn points throughout the term by completing assignments, activities, quizzes, and tests. There will be 3 tests with each test earning a possible 100 points. The final grade will be calculated as follows:

 

 

Final Grade Percentage

Test  #1

20%

Test  #2

20%

Test  #3

20%

Activity #1 – Reference Notebook

10%

Activity #2 – Computer Repair(s)

10%

Activity #3 – New Computer Build

10%

Assignments & Quizzes

10%

Total

100%

 

 

Additional Information Pertaining to Grades:

 

Students must earn a minimum grade of ‘C’ in any course used to fulfill graduation requirements of a Computer and Information Technology program.

 

 

Prepared by    P Smith

Date written or revised:   12/01/2006