CSC-271 Hardware and Operating Systems

Hardware and Operating Systems is a course designed to prepare students to successfully earn CompTIA’s A+ certification. This course requires students to assemble, repair, configure and optimize modern computer systems. Students will be given a broad overview of computer systems, problems and solutions. Emphasis will be made to allow students to experience actual challenges with a computer, and design their solution.

Credits

3

Department

• Computer Science

Semesters Course Will Be Offered

• Fall
• Spring

For more detailed course information view the Course Outline

CSC 271: Hardware and Operating Systems

Department

Computer Science

Course Description

Hardware and Operating Systems is a course designed to prepare students to successfully earn CompTIA’s A+ certification. This course requires students to assemble, repair, configure and optimize modern computer systems. Students will be given a broad overview of computer systems, problems and solutions. Emphasis will be made to allow students to experience actual challenges with a computer, and design their solution.

Credit Hours

3

Contact Hours

Lecture	3
Lab	0
Other	0

Grading Scheme

Letter

Semester(s) Course Will Be Offered

Fall, Spring

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Build (ie. assemble, install, and configure) PCs to meet customer requirements/needs.
2. Develop troubleshooting and diagnostic skills for common hardware and software issues.
3. Demonstrate safety and handling skills while interacting with computer components.
4. Practice documentation skills throughout the process of managing and maintaining computer systems.

Topic Outline

1. Introducing Hardware
   1. Hardware Needs Software
   2.  PC Hardware Components
   3. Binary/Hex/Decimal Conversions
2. Introducing Operating Systems
   1. Operating Systems Past and Present
   2. How the Windows Operating Systems Work
3. Working with People in a Technical World
   1. Job Roles and Responsibilities
   2. What Customers Want, Beyond Technical Know-How
   3. Planning for Good Service
4. Electrical Requirements and Working Safely with Electricity
   1. Measures and properties of Electrical Devices
   2. Protect Yourself and the Equipment
   3. How to Work Inside of the Computer Case
   4. Troubleshooting Electrical Systems
5. Motherboards, Processors, Memory and Hard Drives
   1. Motherboard Types and Features
   2. Startup BIOS and Controlling the Boot Process
   3. Maintaining, Installing and Configuring Motherboards, RAM and Hard Drives
   4. Selecting and Installing a Processor
   5. Upgrading and selecting RAM
   6. Troubleshooting Motherboards, Memory, and Hard Drives
6. Installing and Supporting Input/Output Devices
   1. Installing I/O Devices
   2. Configuring I/O Devices
   3. Troubleshooting I/O Devices
7. Installing Operating Systems
   1. How to plan for a Operating System Installation
   2. Selecting a Operating System
   3. Optimizing a Operating System
   4. Deploying the features of the Operating System
8. Repairing and Avoiding Problems with a Modern Computer System
   1. Fixing Problems Caused by Hardware
   2. Fixing Problems Caused by Software Applications
   3. Networking Technologies and Securing Computers on a Network
   4. Connecting to the Internet and deploying Firewalls and Anti-malware Software
   5. Controlling Access to Computer Resources
   6. Maintaining and Troubleshooting Printers
   7. Fixing and securing Portable Computer Systems