CET 1171
Microcomputer Hardware
Fall 2007
Lake-Sumter Community College
Course Syllabus
Course:
CET 1171 - 10559
Microcomputer Hardware
3 credit hours
Date of Syllabus:
August 25 – December 8
Instructor:
Brian Crowell
E-mail: crowellb@lscc.edu, cc: bc@lcso.org
Website:
http://www.lscc.edu/faculty/main.aspx?userid=98
Prerequisite:
None.
However, CET 1513 A+ Operating Systems Technologies is
recommended as a complementary course to complete study for the skills needed
by today’s PC technician and to prepare to sit for the CompTIA® A+
certification exams.
Textbook:
A+ Guide to Hardware: Managing, Maintaining, and Troubleshooting, Fourth
Edition by Jean Andrews. Thomson Course Technology, 2007. ISBN 13: 978-0619-21762-4
Equipment:
Although not required, it is recommended that each student have available a
small computer tool kit or multi-tool (such as a Leatherman). It is also strongly
recommended to have a means to transfer files from Internet-connected
classroom workstations to standalone lab computers, such as floppy disks or a
flash drive.
Objective:
This course involves identification and installation of microcomputer hardware.
Elements include systemboards, memory, disk drives, other mass storage
devices, current bus architectures and their associated expansion slots, power
supplies, sound cards, video cards, monitors, I/O ports, printers, modems, and
network cards. Topics include preventive maintenance including backups, device
installations, hardware troubleshooting techniques, CMOS settings, managing
system resources, adding memory, installing network cards, device replacements
and system optimization. Hands-on activities and online searching for technical
information will be included. CompTIA A+ Core Objectives are used.
9:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Attendance &Withdrawal Policies:
Punctual and regular attendance is expected. Any class time missed reduces the
opportunity for learning and will have an adverse effect on grades. Because
course content is cumulative, attendance of every class is essential. The
instructor can withdraw students not attending three successive class meetings.
Student initiated withdrawals must be submitted by the regular withdrawal date,
Wednesday, October 31. Instructor retains the option of failing students missing
4 or more class sessions. Refer to LSCC’s catalog regarding the student’s
responsibility for attendance, audits, and withdrawals.
Students with Disabilities:
Persons with disabilities who require assistance or special accommodation must
see the instructor AND notify the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD)
immediately. The OSD Office is located in the Student Development
Department on the Leesburg Campus. A representative can be reached by calling
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CET 1171
Microcomputer Hardware
Fall 2007
352-365-3574 to set up an appointment on any campus. Additional information
about the LSCC Office for Students with Disabilities’ services can be found at
www.lscc.edu; click on the Disability Services quick link.
Academic Honesty:
For this class, it is permissible to assist classmates in general discussions and
most hands-on hardware-related activities. General advice and interaction is
encouraged. However, each student must develop his or her own solution to the
assignments. A student may not use or copy by any means another’s work or
portions of work or company/contractor-produced work and represent it as
his/her own. In short, neither cheating nor plagiarism will be tolerated. The
college policy on cheating and plagiarism is outlined in the LSCC College
Catalog and Student Handbook. Penalties for engaging in cheating or plagiarism
range from a warning to permanent expulsion.
Electronic Devices:
During quizzes and exams, electronic devices are to be turned off unless
designated otherwise by the instructor. These include desktop and laptop
computers, PDA’s, pagers, mobile communication devices, and calculators.
During lectures, electronic devices may be turned on so long as they are silent
and do not distract other students. At all times during class, pagers, watches, and
mobile communication devices will be kept on silent mode or turned off. Please
be courteous by quietly leaving the room if you receive a call or page. No
electronic devices are to be connected by a student to LSCC’s network at any
time.
Internet Usage:
The Internet should not be accessed in the classroom unless course instructions
require you to do so. Do not use the Internet during class to conduct research for
another class or yourself, complete Internet assignments, check email, play
games, or other such activities. Violation of Internet protocol and software usage
may result in your being asked to leave or being withdrawn from the class.
Methods of Evaluation: Grade consists of:
A >=90%
10% Class Attendance/Participation
40% Directed Activities
25% Quizzes
25% Final Exam
B >=80%
C >=70%
D >=60%
F <60%
Final exam may be exempted with full credit assigned by receiving a score of
“PASS” on either the CompTIA® A+ 2003 Linear Core Exam (220-301) or the
A+ Essentials Exam (220-601). A certified test center copy of exam printout
must be submitted to instructor on or before final exam date. Additional
information on this exam is available from CompTIA’s® web site at
www.comptia.org.
Student Responsibilities:

Read relevant chapters and related material on student CD prior to class.
This makes note-taking much more productive as you are already familiar
with what is in the chapter. Class lectures should complement, not replace,
reading the textbook.
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CET 1171
Microcomputer Hardware
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Fall 2007
Participate in class. Volunteer to answer questions. Add to the discussions.
Ask questions. Besides being a simple-to-achieve part of your final grade,
this makes for a more exciting, dynamic learning experience for all students
in the class.
Try to attend every class session. If class is missed, you must make up labs
or exams. Any make-up exams will be composed of alternate questions to
minimize the temptation and suspicion of academic dishonesty, but will have
an equal number of questions and points as the regular exams.
Study for exams. There are many new concepts and acronyms to learn.
Exams apply the facts and concepts learned in the course. Memorization and
attention to detail are required. Use whatever method(s) work(s) best for
you. Suggestions:
o Index cards, flash cards, recording and playing back your voice;
o Complete the end-of-chapter activities. Even though they’re not
required, they will help you gauge whether you are ready for the
exams or require more study;
o Keep your textbook or study materials with you. In a typical day,
there are many periods of brief downtime that could be used for
studying.
o Keep your quizzes and review them for your final exam. You may
see the same or similar questions again.
o If you know that you struggle with exams or have poor study habits,
investigate solutions or avenues of assistance. Peer tutoring and
instructional or self-help books may prove useful.
Maintain documentation. You can later reference your documentation to
refresh your memory as to your actions and the purpose for them, problems,
resolutions, and conclusions. Carry forth this habit into your IT careers.
Take in-class labs and assignments seriously. Do not just complete them but
pay attention to what is happening and why.
Use the resources available to you. Besides the textbook and lab manual,
don’t forget about the student CD, online help, and your local libraries and
users groups; they have a lot to offer.
Outcomes/Competencies:
See attached.
Course Schedule:1
Week
1
Aug 25
2
Sept 1
3
Sept 8
4
Sept 15
5
Sept 22
1
Reading Assignments
Chapter 1
Recommended Review
Questions: Review, Fill-in-the-blank
None
NO CLASS
Happy Labor Day!
None
Chapter 2
Questions: Review, Fill-in-the-Blank
#1: Chapter 1
Chapter 5
Questions: Review, Fill-in-the-Blank
#2: Chapter 2
Chapter 4
Questions: Review, Fill-in-the-Blank
#3: Chapter 5
May be adjusted to meet the class’ needs
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Quiz
CET 1171
6
Sept 29
7
Oct 6
8
Oct 13
9
Oct 20
10
Oct 27
11
Nov 3
12
Nov 10
13
Nov 17
14
Nov 24
15
Dec 1
16
Dec 8
Microcomputer Hardware
Fall 2007
Chapter 3
Questions: Review, Fill-in-the-blank
#4: Chapter 4
Chapter 6
Questions: Review, Fill-in-the-blank
#5: Chapter 3
Chapter 7
Questions: Review, Fill-in-the-blank
#6: Chapter 6
Chapter 8
Questions: Review, Fill-in-the-blank
#7: Chapter 7
Chapter 9
Questions: Review, Fill-in-the-blank
#8: Chapter 8
Chapter 10
Questions: Review, Fill-in-the-blank
#9: Chapter 9
Chapter 11
Questions: Review, Fill-in-the-blank
#10: Chapter 10
Chapter 12
Questions: Review, Fill-in-the-blank
#11: Chapter 11
NO CLASS
Happy Thanksgiving!
None
Exam review, makeup
Weekly exams, chapter summaries, lab
questions
#12: Chapter 12
Final Exam
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