Syllabus
Personal Computer Hardware

Personal Computer Hardware

ITSC-1325

Credit Spring 2021
01/19/2021 - 05/16/2021

Course Information

Section 006
Distance Learning
TTh 09:00 - 09:50
DLS DIL
Nabeel Khan

Section 006
Laboratory
TTh 09:50 - 11:45
DLS DIL
Nabeel Khan

Office Hours

  • M W
    2:00pm - 5:00pm
    Zoom Meeting Room
    For appointment by request, email me: nabeel.khan@austincc.edu

Course Requirements

 

 

Instructor:     Nabeel Khan, PhD

Telephone & Text:  804-402-4046 (you may text me but please include the class and name in it)

Office:  HLC 4.2310.11

 

E-mail: nabeel.khan@austincc.edu

 

Course Description:  A study of current personal computer hardware including personal computer assembly and upgrading, setup and configuration, and troubleshooting.

 

Pre-requisite:  COSC 1301 and one semester of programming or instructional program approval.

 

Course Rationale:  The course is designed to be a complete, step-by-step approach for learning the fundamentals of supporting and troubleshooting computer hardware and software.

 

Course Objectives / Learning Outcomes: 

This course maps fully to CompTIA’s 2009 A+ Exam objectives. The course is designed to be a complete, step-by-step approach for learning the fundamentals of supporting and troubleshooting computer hardware and software. Upon course completion student should be able to:

  1. Recognize the capabilities and limits of the microcomputer and OS.
  2. Explain computer architecture at the operating level - including expansion buses, operating speed, and memory addressing capability.
  3. Acquire the basic skills required to pass the A+ certification exam.

 

SCANS (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills):

Refer to http://www.austincc.edu/cit/courses/scans.pdf for a complete definition and explanation of SCANS.  The following list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course:

 

RESOURCES

1.1 Manages Time

INTERPERSONAL

2.1 Participates as a member of a team

2.6 Works with Cultural Diversity

INFORMATION

3.1 Acquires and Evaluates Information

3.2 Organizes and Maintains Information

3.3 Uses Computers to Process Information

SYSTEMS

4.1 Understands Systems

TECHNOLOGY

5.2 Applies Technology to Task

BASIC SKILLS

6.1 Reading

6.5 Listening

THINKING SKILLS

7.2 Decision Making

7.3 Problem Solving

7.4 Mental Visualization

7.5 Knowing How to Learn

7.6 Reasoning

PERSONAL SKILLS

8.1 Responsibility

8.2 Self-Esteem

8.3 Sociability

8.4 Self-Management

8.5 Integrity/Honesty

 

 

Approved Course Texts/Readings:

Mike Meyers' CompTIA A+ Guide to Managing and Troubleshooting PCs, Sixth Edition

 

ISBN# 9781260455069

 

Instructional Methodology:  This course will have 60% lecture and 40% laboratory. 

 

The CIS open labs are available for students for work outside of scheduled lab time. 

 

Grade Policy:

Grade will be assigned based both on concepts and practical application. Exams, quizzes, and lab projects will be a part of the grade.  An overall grade will be assigned on the following grading scale:

90%  - 100%         A

80%  -  89%          B

70%  -  79%          C

60%  -  69%          D

0%    -  59%          F

 

 

Course Requirements

Grade Weightage:

 

Item

Item Grade

Total Number

Total Grade

Exams

12%

4

48%

Labs

2.23%

18

40%

Attendance

8%

1

8%

In-Class Activities including Practice Tests

4%/Total Number

5-15

4%

 

 

Total

100%

 

 

 

 

Exams:

Each exam is 12% of grade. There are 4 in total for 48% of the total grade.

Exam-4 is a Lab based exam which will consist of labs done in class.

 

Late Submissions Policy for Exams:

  • Exam taken up to one week after Exam Date will cause a 10% deduction from the exam grade
  • Exam taken up to two weeks after Exam Date will cause a 20% penalty from the exam grade
  • Exam taken two weeks later than the Exam Date will receive a grade of 0% for the exam
  • Exception to this policy is the Exam 4 which must be taken on or before the Exam scheduled date because it is the final. No late submissions for Exam 4 is allowed.

 

 

Labs:

  • Total 18 (approximately) number of labs
  • 10% each, 40% of the total grade
  • Open book and group-based
  • Will cover learning outcomes for the course

 

 

Late Submissions Policy for Labs:

  • Lab submitted up to one week after the submission deadline will receive a 10% deduction in the lab grade.
  • Lab submitted up to two weeks after the submission deadline will receive a 20% deduction for the lab grade.

 

In-Class Activities:

  • There will be many in-class activities that may be somewhere between 5 to 15
  • They will include small individual or group based exercises connected with the lesson plan of the class
  • The activities will be of 15-20 minute duration and open-book.
  • Examples of activities include: figuring out a network operation or addressing scheme or doing a small research on a particular question.
  • They are unannounced and meant to enhance the active participation and learning of the subject matter.
  • They also include Practice Tests. Each Practice Test will serve as a review for an Exam and can be taken 3 times.

 

Late Submission Policy for In-Class Activities:

  • There is no make-up or late submission allowed for the activities. For exceptions, please check the Exceptions to Grade Reduction section below.

 

 

Attendance:

Attending classes is essential to the learning process. The attendance grade will be determined as follows:

 

Number of Absences

Grade deduction out of 10% total

0

0

1

1

2

2

3

4

4

6

5

7

6

8

 

 

Exception to Grade Reductions:

 

Given an unforeseen and sudden emergency, you may be able to make accommodations with me about submitting your work late without the penalties. You must follow the process below to request the exception:

 

  • You must provide documentation for the proof of the emergency
  • You must contact me in person, phone, or email about your emergency on or before the submission deadline.

 

Grading Process:

Grades will be posted throughout the semester. If you have questions regarding a particular grade then you must report to me in writing within seven calendar days of the grade being posted. The grade will be deemed final otherwise.

 

 

 

 

 

Course/Class Policies:

 

Attendance/Class Participation

Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.  

 

Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decides to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. The last date to withdraw for this semester is Nov. 21st, 2019. The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

 

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall, 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate, for that course. State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

 

Incompletes

A student may receive a temporary grade of “I” (Incomplete) at the end of the semester only if ALL of the following conditions are satisfied:

  1. The student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to circumstances beyond their control.
  2. The student must have earned at least half of the grade points needed for a “C” by the end of the semester.
  3. The request for the grade must be made in person at the instructor’s office and necessary documents completed.
  4. To remove an “I”, the student must complete the course by two weeks before the end of the following semester.  Failure to do so will result in the grade automatically reverting to an “F”.

 

Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty

A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution. Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations. Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents. Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college.

 

See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process.

 

For this course, the penalty for scholastic dishonesty is a grade of ‘F’ for the course.

 

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.

 

Statement on Students with Disabilities Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed. Students who have received approval for accommodations from SAS for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from SAS before accommodations will be provided. Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student. Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations.

 

Safety Statement Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. You are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom.

 

Please note, you are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.

 

Concealed Handgun Policy

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy. It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999. IMPORTANT: ITNW1325 classes may involve considerable physical activity. Bending, stretching, lifting, and other rigorous activities associated with ITNW1325 occur regularly in class. Such activities may expose concealed weapons and place the license holder in violation of state law. Therefore, it is recommended that concealed weapons be stored in a secure place as defined by college policy prior to entering the classroom, studio, or learning space. Refer to the concealed handgun policy online at austincc.edu/campuscarry.

 

Freedom of Expression Policy

It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

 

Tutoring

Free tutoring is provided for this course both on line and face-to-face.  For online schedules and details please refer to http:://www.austincc.edu/cit .

 

Student Files – Privacy

Their instructor for educational and academic reasons may view the information that a student stores in his/her student volume in the Computer Studies Labs.

 

Concealed Handgun Policy

ACC faculty may notify students in their classes or learning environment about the Texas Campus Carry law taking effect at Austin Community College (and other Texas community colleges) on August 1, 2017. The following is recommended syllabus language, approved by legal counsel and the college. For courses including ACC-sponsored field activities, language is still being drafted.

 

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

 

Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy.

 

It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999.

 

1. Statement for standard classroom courses (non-exclusion zone)

Refer to the concealed handgun policy online.

 

2. Statement for classroom courses with physical activity (non-exclusion zone)

IMPORTANT: (Class name) classes may involve considerable physical activity. Bending, stretching, lifting, and other rigorous activities associated with (class name) occur regularly in class. Such activities may expose concealed weapons and place the license holder in violation of state law. Therefore, it is recommended that concealed weapons be stored in a secure place as defined by college policy prior to entering the classroom, studio, or learning space.

Refer to the concealed handgun policy online.

 

3. Statement for classroom courses in exclusion zones

IMPORTANT: (class name) classes are held in an area designated as an exclusion zone as defined by state law or the college’s concealed handgun policy. Concealed carry is prohibited in exclusion zones. Concealed weapons must be stored in a secure place as defined by college policy prior to entering the classroom, studio, or learning space.

Refer to the concealed handgun policy online.

 

4. Facts

·   All public Texas colleges and universities must abide by the law.

·   Private institutions may opt out of implementing the law.

·   The concealed campus carry law does not allow open carry on campus.

·   A person must have a License to Carry a Handgun (LTC).

·   A person must be at least 21 to obtain a LTC, unless he/she is active duty military or a police officer.

·   Faculty and staff do not have authority to ban handguns from classrooms.

·   Campus carry laws exist in eight states (Texas, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Mississippi, Kansas, Oregon, and Wisconsin).

·   Licensed gun owners have been allowed to carry concealed handguns on public campuses (but not in buildings) for 20 years.

·   While Texas is currently in a legislative session, there are no indications lawmakers will change the law.

 

 

Use of ACC E-mail

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff. Instructions for activating an ACCmail account.

Student and Instructional Services

ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services. Information on these services and support systems is available here. Links to many student services and other information can be found at Current Students. ACC Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC students currently enrolled in the course to be tutored. The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may be found here. For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab Technician at any ACC Learning Lab.

 

 

 

 

 

Readings

    Cl. Lecture Reading Assignment
    1 Orientation; PC Tech
 
Syllabus; Chapter 1
    2 The Visible Computer Chapter 1 & 2
    3 CPUs Chapter 3, 4, 
    4 Random Access Memory Chapter 5
    5 Firmware Chapter 6
    6 Motherboard
 
Chapter 7
    7 Power Supplies Chapter 8
    8 Mass Storage Technologies
Practice Test1 Opens (taken on Blackboard)
Chapter 9
    9 Implementing Mass Storage Chapter 10
      Exam 1 Covers Chapter 1-10
    10 Essential Peripherals Chapter 11
    11 Building a PC Chapter 12
    12 Windows under the Hood Chapter 13, 14
    13 Users, Groups and Permissions  
    14 Optimizing Operating Systems Chapter 15
    15 Command Line Interface  Chapter 15
 
    16 Troubleshooting Chapter 16
    17 DisplayTechnologies
 
Chpater 17
    18 Essentials of Networking ; Chapter 18
    19 LAN; Practice Test 2 Opens (taken on Blackboard) Chapter 19
    20 Wireless Networking Chapter 20
      Exam2  
    21 The Internet  Chapter 21
    22 Virtualization Chpapter 22
    23 Portable Computing Chapter 23
    24 Understanding Mobile Devices; Practice Test 3 Opens (taken on Blackboard) Chapter 24
    25 Care and Feeding of Mobile Devices Chapter 25
    26 Care and Feeding of Mobile Devices Chapter 25
    27 Printers and Multifunction Devices Chapter 26
    28 Lab Review : Securing Computers; Operational Procedures Chapter 27; Chapter 28
    29 Exams 3 Covers Chapter 21-28
    30 Exam4: Lab Exam   

 

Course Subjects

The course is about PC maintenance, architecture and hardware and software maintenance. The lectures will comprise of:

  • Discussions on PC building blocks
  • Numbering System
  • Logic concepts
  • Hands-on labs on PC assembly and Operating Systems maintenance

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

RESOURCES

1.1 Manages Time

INTERPERSONAL

2.1 Participates as a member of a team

2.6 Works with Cultural Diversity

INFORMATION

3.1 Acquires and Evaluates Information

3.2 Organizes and Maintains Information

3.3 Uses Computers to Process Information

SYSTEMS

4.1 Understands Systems

TECHNOLOGY

5.2 Applies Technology to Task

BASIC SKILLS

6.1 Reading

6.5 Listening

THINKING SKILLS

7.2 Decision Making

7.3 Problem Solving

7.4 Mental Visualization

7.5 Knowing How to Learn

7.6 Reasoning

PERSONAL SKILLS

8.1 Responsibility

8.2 Self-Esteem

8.3 Sociability

8.4 Self-Management

8.5 Integrity/Honesty