ITC 140.01 (3199/4911) Introduction to Computer Hardware SCCC Fall 2011
Instructor: Deborah Higdon BE 3180 5 cr.
T/Th 10:00-12:15
Office hours: T/Th after class or by appt.
This class is an introduction to the basics of how to recognize various hardware components in personal and portable computers and their interactions with software. Students get hands-on experience in the installation, configuration, and maintenance of computers while practicing decision-making and logical troubleshooting skills. The CompTIA A+ certification is a strongly recommended goal but not a requirement.
Email: This week please send me an email with your name as the subject line. If you like, include a home/work phone number. If you do not do this, I will have no means to talk to you outside normal class hours if needed. Always include a subject line, otherwise I automatically delete messages unread. A Hotmail or Yahoo account or just a phone number will do.
Required Texts: CompTIA A+ Essentials, Exam 220-701, 3nd edition by Michael Meyers. Published by McGraw-Hill Osborne in 2010. ISBN: 978-0-07-173873-8.
Required Texts: CompTIA A+ 220-701 and 220-702 Exam Cram (Paperback) 5th edition, by David L. Prowse. Published by Que in 2009. ISBN: 978-0789747921.
Required Supplies: USB thumb-drive. Computer repair tool kit with Philips head, flat head, and torx head screwdrivers.
Withdrawal/Dropping: All registration/prerequisite issues are entirely the responsibility of the student. Reference the SCCC catalog, counselors or online. Students not withdrawing will receive a grade based on work submitted in relation to total class requirements. No incompletes will be issued, no exceptions. If you are getting a job or an internship please contact me promptly.
Software: Students may not download, copy or install any software except by instructor’s permission and in accord with copyright laws. Violation will lead to a loss of at least one full letter off your grade.
Accommodations: Any student with a documented disability (i.e., physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations should contact Disability Services (Al Souma at 587-4169, room BE1112, or at ) and the instructor at the beginning of the quarter without delay. Extra time or equipment may be necessary to meet your needs.
Hands-on, Attendance and Conduct: Participation, teamwork, and your ability to work together are critical. In industry these are known as soft skills or people skills. In class these skills are demonstrated by actively and consistently working on the assigned hands-on labs and making an effort to contribute by answering or asking questions or assisting others to accomplish the assigned tasks.
A flexible and cooperative attitude is necessary in our shared environment. We must leave a clean and functional computer and work space for the next class. If you leave the lab in a non-functional state, without attempting to troubleshoot and informing the instructor before leaving, 100 points may be subtracted from your final grade. This penalty may be assessed individually or against all members of a work team. Malfunctioning or misconfigured computers are to be used when possible as real-life troubleshooting opportunities.
You are responsible for attendance. Punctuality is a courtesy to all. Missed lecture/lab material may be obtained from other students, not the instructor. Concepts covered in class may not be evident from looking at someone’s notes. You are responsible for material covered, including changes to the schedule. If you feel comfortable, exchange emails with other students to be able to get assignments/notes.
Internet access is provided to support the class objectives. Abuse of this resource may result in restrictions
This class is an environment for you to learn. Make your own efforts and your own mistakes and learn from them. Build up your skills. Strive to develop habits of attention, initiative, patience, step-by-step thinking, tenacity and confidence. On the job you will be expected to be able to do things and think through problems. This requires your own best efforts. Bring your intelligence and energy to the team and come prepared to actively participate.
Courses of 5 credits generally require about 10 hours of study outside of class each week, depending on the student's background and experience.
Schedule: The final will be during our normal class time (10 am - noon) on Tues, Dec 13. Hands-on tests will require time for preparation, completion and re-setup so we must allot adequate time for this.
No class will be held on Thursday, Nov 24, Thanksgiving Day.
Week / Dates / Topic/Chapter / Assignments/Labs1 / Sept 27
Sept 29 / Tues: Introductory session (Syllabus)
Thurs: The visible PC / Meyers Chap 2
Meyers Chap 3
2 / Oct 4
Oct 6 / Tues: Processors (CPUs)
Thurs: Processors / Meyers Chap 5
Meyers Chap 5
3 / Oct 11
Oct 13 / Tues: Memory (RAM)
Thurs: BIOS/CMOS QUIZ / Meyers Chap 6
Meyers Chap 7
4 / Oct 18
Oct 20 / Tues: Expansion bus
Thurs: Motherboards / Meyers Chap 7
Meyers Chap 7
5 / Oct 25
Oct 27 / Tues: Power supplies
Thurs: Hard drives / Meyers Chap 8
Meyers Chap 9
6 / Nov 1
Nov 3 / Tues: Hard drives
Thurs: Removable media QUIZ / Meyers Chap 9
Meyers Chap 10
7 / Nov 8
Nov 10 / Tues: Input/Output
Thurs: Video and Multimedia / Meyers Chap 12
Meyers Chap 13
8 / Nov 15
Nov 17 / Tues: Portables
Thurs: Printers / Meyers Chap 14
Meyers Chap 15
9 / Nov 22
Holiday / Tues: Networks (LANs)
Thurs: Thanksgiving QUIZ / Meyers Chap 16
10 / Nov 29
Dec 1 / Tues: Wireless
Thurs: Internet / Meyers Chap 17
Meyers Chap 18
11 / Dec 6
Dec 8 / Tues: Security
Thurs: Presentations / Meyers Chap 19
12 / Dec 13 / Tues: Final QUIZ
Tutoring: Available through the Student Academic Assistance office at BE 2101A (near the Library), 206-587-3852. You can also access services such as counseling, career information, study skills, and supplemental instruction in math and English at BE 1102. Make appointments for tutoring early in the quarter.
Assessment: Approximately 4 multiple-choice tests: maximum 100 pts. (Missed tests/labs may be taken with an automatic deduction of 5 pts.)
Teamwork/Participation: Hands-on assignments/homework/Internet research: max 50 pts
Labs: maximum 150 pts
Total Maximum points = 300 (divide total by 3 to get grade)
96-100 A 3.9 76-80 B- 2.8-2.5 56-60 D+ 1.4-1.2
91-95 A- 3.8-3.5 71-75 C+ 2.4-2.2 51-55 D 1.1-0.9
86-90 B+ 3.4-3.2 66-70 C 2.1-1.9 46-50 D- 0.8-0.7
81-85 B 3.1-2.9 61-65 C- 1.8-1.5 <45 F 0.0
Extra Credit: If you feel you must receive a specific minimum grade, plan ahead from the beginning of the quarter and do the necessary work! If at any time up to Tuesday, Dec 13 at 10:15 am, you bring me proof that you passed any certification test related to networking (for example, Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, Novell, RedHat, Watchguard or database) after the end of the last quarter, you will receive an additional 100 points to your grade. This is the only way to earn a 4.0. This is strongly recommended but absolutely not a requirement for passing. Let me know what test you are studying for to be sure it is applicable. With proper study it is entirely possible to pass the A+ 701 (and 702 if you are taking ITC 134 concurrently) this quarter.
In general, each of these suggestions would be equivalent to a test grade (25 pts).Time permitting and after discussion with the instructor, other options include, before the last 2 weeks:
· Arranging a tour of a network (when at least 4 students and the instructor can attend).
· Presenting an oral report/demonstration of 5-10 minutes or a group report of 10-15 minutes on any subject related to the course material. Original power point presentations are encouraged.
· Arranging for a guest speaker from industry to talk to our class.
Outcomes: Students should be able to demonstrate certain basic behaviors, knowledge and abilities which would be required for an entry level job or internship. Examples are:
Able to use the Internet to research questions that arise in the lab or from on-line curriculum or tests.
Demonstrate some ability to independently analyze a problem and seek information from a resource aside from the instructor or other students.
Able to work as a team member, helping others to explore problems in an efficient and respectful manner.
Able to effectively organize tasks to allocate time and energy according to task complexity and priority.
Able to recognize basic hardware problems and logically analyze symptoms to develop step by step troubleshooting procedures.
Able to define basic terminology (e.g., RAM, IRQ, pixel, LAN, frontside bus, CPU, sector, ROM, PCI, MB, troubleshoot, NVRAM, driver, CMOS, POST, kernel, BIOS, NIC, protocol, etc).
Able to identify, install and configure basic PC (and Macintosh) components and peripherals.
Able to install and update drivers for hardware components.
Able to explain how the operating system manages hardware resources (memory, hard drives, printers, etc.).
Able to explain how the built in motherboard software interacts with hardware elements.
Talk to Me: If you have concerns (style, content, equipment, pacing, personality conflicts, etc.) talk to me before/after class (as time permits) or email me. I may not respond to emails but I will read them and be aware. We can then discuss in person or by email. Please do not assume that I have noticed a problem which is obvious to you. Raise your issues and we will try to resolve them. If you miss more than 2 days of class in a row, please email me. I will not drop anyone from the class nor will I email you or remind you of assignments or tests (once they have been announced).
***Schedule is subject to change at instructor’s discretion***
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