brcc.gif BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ITN 107 - PC Hardware and Troubleshooting

 

INSTRUCTOR'S NAME: Jim Richerson

OFFICE: T-204

PHONE:  540-453-2328 or 234-9261/213-7002/943-7002 ext. 2328

e-mail: richersonj@brcc.edu

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I. COURSE DESCRIPTION: Includes specially designed instruction to give students a basic knowledge of hardware and software configurations. It includes the installation of various peripheral devices as well as basic system hardware components. Maps to A+ Hardware Certification. Lecture 3 hours per week. Total 3 hours per week.

This course meets entirely online. 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 at least one proctored assessment. This assessment will be given as the Final Exam in T210, an approved testing location, or using BRCC’s remote proctoring service of Zoom. You will need a webcam and microphone for audio and video capabilities.

Click this link for instructions on how to download and use Zoom.

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II. COURSE OBJECTIVES: On-line assignments, text material and computer simulation 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 much of the objectives of the A+ hardware (1001) certification exam. As the student progresses through the material they will understand the modular nature of the personal computer system and the various technology changes in the hardware 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 107, the student should have an understanding of these topics :

A. Hardware

B. Understanding Motherboards.

C. RAM

D. BIOS and UEFI

E. Understanding and Installing Hard Drives.

F. Interfaces

G. Displays

G. Supporting Networks

I. TCP/IP

J. WIFI Networking

K. Mobile Devices

L. Laptops

M. Troubleshooting System Problems

N. Troubleshooting Display

O. Troubleshooting Networks

P. Preparing for Certification

 

 

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

 

Lab Simulation Software: CertExams

 

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IV. EVALUATION POLICES AND REQUIREMENTS:

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 Web Links, 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 in a testing center off campus during the week of final exams. 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 pts.

Laboratory --------------------20% or 20 pts.

Three one-hour tests ---------- 30% or 30 pts.

Final Exam -------------------- 25% or 25 pts.

Student Effort ------------------ 5% or 5 pts.

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

LATE WORK POLICY: There are no due dates but you need to submit your work by the end of the semester.  I do not  accept any work after you take the Final exam.

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V. HONOR POLICY: The functioning of an academic community depends on the integrity of all of its members. Blue Ridge Community College values truthfulness, respect for the property of others, and honesty in academic work." BRCC Honor Code

As members 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.

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VI.  ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) STATEMENT

AI Procedure: 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 Statement on the Honor Code and Behavior Violations, and Disciplinary and Appeal Procedures 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.

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VII.  DISABILITY SERVICES:  If you have a disability for which you wish to be considered for an accommodation, please make an appointment with the Office of Disability Services located in the Houff Student Center. 

The purpose of providing accommodations is to ensure that students with disabilities are granted the opportunity to access programs and services offered by the college.   Requested accommodations are considered on a case by case basis by the Coordinator of Disability Services, who works with faculty to ensure both access and academic standards are maintained.  Students requesting services must meet with the Disability Services Coordinator and provide sufficient documentation of the disability prior to receiving accommodations.  Accommodations are not retroactive and do not result in modification of the essential academic elements of the course.

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VIII. TOPICAL OUTLINE OF COURSE:    

Week

Activity

 Lab

5-20

Mobile Devices I - (Chapter 1&2)

Quiz 1 (Canvas)

 

Mobile Devices II- (Chapter 3&4)

Quiz 2 (Canvas)

 Lab #1 CertExams Labs 7.1,2,3,4,5&6

Lab #2 CertExams Labs 2.1,2,3,4,5&6

5-7

Networking Part 1 (Chapter 5-8)

Quiz 3 (Canvas)

 

Networking Part II (Chapter 9-12)

Quiz 4 (Canvas) 

 Lab #3 CertExams Labs 2.7,8,9,10,12,&13

Lab #4 CertExams Labs  8.1,2,3,4&5

6-3

 Test #1 Quizzes 1-4 (Canvas)  

6-10

Computer Hardware I (Chapter 13&14)

Quiz 5 (Canvas)

 

Computer Hardware II (Chapter 15&16)
Quiz 6 (Canvas )

 Lab #5 CertExams Labs1.1.1,2,3&4

Lab #6 CertExams Labs1.1.5,6,7&8

6-17

Computer Hardware III (Chapter 17&18)
Quiz 7 (Canvas)

 

Printers (Chapter 19&20)
Quiz 8 (Canvas)

 Lab #7 CertExams Labs1.1.9 and Labs 1.2,3,&4

Lab #8 Research: Choosing Peripherals

6-24

 Test #2 Quizzes 5-8 (Canvas)

 
7-1 Holiday  

7-8

Cloud and Virtualization  (Chapter 21&22)

Quiz 9 (Canvas)

 

Troubleshooting Part I (Chapter 23&24)

Quiz 10 (Canvas)

Lab #9 CertExams Labs 1.4,5,6,7&8

Lab #10 CertExams Labs 4.1.1,2,&3 Labs 4.2,3,&4

7-15

Troubleshooting Part II (Chapter 25&26)

Quiz 11 (Canvas)

 

Troubleshooting Part III (Chapter 27-29)
Quiz 12 (Canvas) 

 Lab #11 Research: Choosing Parts for PC

Lab #12 Lab Troubleshooting

7-22

Test #3 Quizzes 9-12 (Canvas)

 All Material Due

7-29

 Final Exam  

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IX.  IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER: BRCC Academic Calendar

To Get Back to Main

 

Required Supplement to Syllabus

 

X.            ACADEMIC CALENDAR: The academic calendar gives the start and end dates for semester sessions and important deadlines for withdrawing from classes, https://www.brcc.edu/academics/academic-calendar/index.html

XI.            Canvas Course Access: https://learn.vccs.edu

XII.            COURSE RECORDINGS: Meetings of this course might be recorded; these recordings will be available to students registered for this class and are intended to supplement the classroom experience. Students are expected to follow appropriate BRCC policies and maintain the security of passwords used to access recorded lectures. Recordings may not be reproduced, shared with those not in the class, or uploaded to other online environments without prior written instructor permission; doing so would be a breach of the BRCC Honor Code. If the instructor or any other BRCC personnel or departments plan for other uses for the recordings beyond this class, students identifiable in the recordings will be asked for consent prior to such use.

XIII.            BRCC POLICIES:

A.        Academic Honesty: As a college student, you are expected to show integrity in your work and interactions with others. https://www.brcc.edu/academics/expectations/honor-code/index.html

B.        Academic Support: BRCC is committed to making sure you get responsive, effective answers to your questions. We’re here to help you succeed online. Click the link below to see resources available to you. https://www.brcc.edu/academics/academic-support/index.html

C.       NON-ATTENDING POLICY; Attendance is considered a measure of progress as defined by federal financial aid regulations. In order to maintain eligibility for financial aid, Blue Ridge must proactively monitor course progress. Non-attendance will be reported to the Dean of Student Services at the conclusion of the first week of the course, at midterm, and at the conclusion of the course. Students who receive federal financial aid and are not attending classes may be administratively withdrawn from the course.

Failure to demonstrate active participation within the first seven days of an online class may result in administrative withdrawal from the course. For online courses, never attending is defined as never participated in any class discussions, blog postings, or other learning activities. If the student has logged into Canvas less than 2 times and has never contributed, they may be counted as never attending.

D.       Disability Services: We provide academic accommodations and support for students with documented disabilities. Students must submit current documentation of a disability by a qualified professional to Disability Services before academic accommodations can be requested. Qualified professional evaluations by physicians, psychologists, audiologists, etc., must have been completed within the last three years. https://www.brcc.edu/services/disability/index.html

E.        Final Course Grade Appeal Policy:

1.        The student should submit his/her complaint in writing to the appropriate administrative unit.

2.        The College will respond in writing within the designated time frame.

3.        Documentation of written complaints and the College's written response will be kept in a secure location for three years and then will be destroyed. https://www.brcc.edu/services/right/complaint

F.            Faculty Expectations: Enrolling in classes at Blue Ridge Community College is a serious investment of money, time, and effort. To be successful, students must be aware of the challenges ahead of them and be willing and able to work toward meeting those challenges. Knowing what faculty expect helps students get the most out of the learning experience in the classroom and online. https://www.brcc.edu/academics/expectations/faculty-expectations/index.html

G.           Student Expectations: College instructors have encountered most of the challenges, frustrations, stresses, and triumphs that students will face. Faculty members know what students need to do to succeed in their courses and will work with students to that end. https://www.brcc.edu/academics/expectations/student-expectations/index.html

BRCC ALERT REGISTRATION: Blue Ridge Community College uses BRCC Alert to immediately contact you during a major crisis or emergency. BRCC Alert delivers important emergency alerts, notifications and updates to you on all your devices. Alert System