BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ITN 106 - Microcomputer Operating Systems

INSTRUCTOR'S NAME: Jim Richerson

OFFICE/Student Engagement Hours: T-204

PHONE: 540-453-2328

CLASS MEETING: Tuesday's 1 -3:50pm in T210

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION: Teaches use of operating system utilities and multiple-level directory structures, creation of batch files, and configuration of microcomputer environments. May include a study of graphical user interfaces. Maps to A+ Software Lecture 3 hours per week.

This course meets each week in person in T210. Course content, assessments, policies, expectations, and other materials will be available in the Learning Management System, CANVAS the first day of class. Students will be required to take all quizzes and tests online in CANVAS. The Final Exam will be taken on campus in T210 or there will be other options.

II. COURSE OBJECTIVES:

On-line assignments, text material and computer work together will help the student understand the procedures of configuring and troubleshooting computer equipment and peripherals. All activities use personal computer systems using Microsoft operating systems. The class covers the objectives of the A+ certification exam. As the student progresses through the material, they will understand the modular nature of the personal computer system and the various changes in the systems over time. Consequently, if the student is a person who enjoys working puzzles and solving problems, they will enjoy what this course has to offer. Upon completion of ITN 106, the student should have an understanding of these topics :

A. PC System and Peripherals.

B. Installing Windows

C. Security

D. Security Threats

E. Malware

F. Maintaining Windows

G. Command Line Tools

H. Understanding Windows

I. Wireless Security

J. Safety Procedures

K. Mobile Device Security

L. Disaster Recovery

M. Troubleshooting System Problems.

N. Professionalism

O. Preparing for Certification

III. REQUIRED TEXT MATERIAL: CompTIA A+ 220-1101 and 220-1102 Exam Cram, David L. Prowse, Pearson Education, 2022, ISBN-13: 9780137637546

IV. EVALUATION POLICES AND REQUIREMENTS: Progress Policy-This Web Based course will require you to set the necessary time aside each week in order to complete the course within the semester time period. You must exercise personal discipline in ensuring that progress is made each week and do not hesitate to request help from the instructor or your other classmates. You should begin each section with reading the Chapter material that is in Canvas under Modules for each section link, then the associated lectures in Canvas, followed by the associated Lab Experiment and Lab Report submission, and finally taking the associated Quiz. Each Quiz consists of questions/problems regarding the Chapter material. There will be three tests during the semester over quizzes and the material covered in each section that are outlined in the topical outline section of the syllabus. There is no late policy to the weekly assignments but all material needs to be completed before you take the Final Exam. The comprehensive final exam is taken on campus or or make arrangements with the instructor. There is no required submission date of any work but you will need to complete the material in a timely manner to keep a good pace on completing the class material before the Final Exam. No coursework will be accepted after you take the Final Exam.

Grading Policy

Student performance in the course will be measured by written and electronic performance testing. Each topic has an associated quiz and lab report. You should read the textbook, study the web lesson supplement, perform the lab experiment, submit the lab report, and then take the quiz. There is three Tests and Final Exam. Please note that the final exam is worth 25% of your grade since it is the primary indicator of knowledge.

Note-When we can you are more than welcome to come to campus to get help. Please email me for an appointment if you require extra help during the semester. My bottom line is that I want you to understand the material presented. This course is the basic foundation for all other computer courses.

The final course numerical grade will be based upon the following percentages:

Type of Evaluation

% of Total Grade

Quizzes and Homework ----- 20% or 20

Laboratory ------------------- 20% or 20

Three one-hour tests -------- 30% or 20

Final Exam ------------------ 25% or 25

Student Effort ---------------- 5% or 5

TOTAL ----------------------100% or 100 points

Letter grades are derived from the numerical grades as follows:

90 - 100% = A

80 - 89% = B

70 - 79% = C

60 - 69% = D

0 - 59% = F

The portion of the grade due to "student effort" will be based on the instructor's evaluation of the student's desire to learn the subject and the effort given during the semester. It is based on such characteristics as:

1. Motivation 2. Attention in class

3. Attitude towards course 4. Promptness

5. Cooperation 6. Effort to learn

V. HONOR POLICY: "The functioning of an academic community depends on the integrity of all of its members. BRCC Honor Code

As a member of this community, you are responsible for understanding and adhering to the Honor Code. Violations include (but are not limited to) cheating on tests and quizzes, unauthorized collaboration on assignments, and plagiarism. Your instructor is the ultimate source of policy on individual assignments; please consult him or her if you have any questions or concerns about what is permitted.

Violations of the Honor Code may result in a grade penalty and/or disciplinary action. For further information on your rights and responsibilities as a student, and the disciplinary guidelines and procedures, please consult the Student Handbook. For information on the grade appeal procedure, please consult the Catalog Grade Appeal

VI. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) STATEMENT : All work submitted in BRCC courses must be your own. Contributions from anyone or anything else, including AI sources, must be properly quoted and cited every time they are used. Failure to do so constitutes an academic integrity violation and the BRCC Academic Integrity policies will be implemented. Students are discouraged from using AI tools UNLESS under direct instruction from your instructor to do so. Contact your instructor if you are unsure or have questions BEFORE using AI for any assignment.

VII. TOPICAL OUTLINE OF COURSE:

Week	Activity	Lab
1-20	Windows Versions & CLI- Chapter 30-32 Quiz 1 (Canvas)
1-27	Operating System Features - Chapter 33&34 Quiz 2 (Canvas)	Snow Day Installing an OS
2-3	Control Panel & Settings - Chapter 35-37 Quiz 3 (Canvas)	Command LIne
2-10	Windows Apps & Operating Systems - Chapter 38-40, Quiz 4 (Canvas)	Windows tools
2-17	Test #1 Quizzes 1-4 (Canvas)
2-24	Mac & Linux - Chapters 41&42 Quiz 5 (Canvas)	Explore Linux
3-3	Security I - Chapter 43-45 Quiz 6 (Canvas)	WiFi Security
3-10	Security II - Chapter 46-48 Quiz 7 (Canvas)	Local group policy
3-17	Spring Break
3-24	Security III - Chapter 49-52 Quiz 8 (Canvas)	Malware
3-31	Test #2 Quizzes 5-8 (Canvas)
4-7	Troubleshooting - Chapter 53-56 Quiz 9 (Canvas)	Recovery Tools
4-14	Documentation and Safety - Chapter 57-60 Quiz 10 (Canvas)	Basic Scripting
4-21	Professionalism, Scripting & Remote - Chapter 61-64 Quiz 11 (Canvas)	Troubleshooting Final
4-28	Test #3 Quizzes 9-11 (Canvas)
5-5	Final Exam

VIII. ACADEMIC CALENDAR: The academic calendar gives the start and end dates for semester sessions and important deadlines for withdrawing from classes, etc. BRCC Academic Calendar

IX. SUPPLEMENTS TO SYLLABUS: In addition to what is outlined on this syllabus, more required policies and procedures are found here:Syllabus