LAKE-SUMTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE
PREFIX/NUMBER:
CET 1171 (Section 20337)
COURSE TITLE:
Microcomputer Hardware
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course involves identification and installation of microcomputer
hardware. Elements include system boards, 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.
DATES:
Spring 2011, Thursdays, 2:00-4:45 p.m., Leesburg, Bldg. M, Rm. 106
Spring Break: Monday,·March 6 –Saturday, Mar 12, 2011
Withdrawal deadline (no academic penalty): Fri, March 25, 2011
INSTRUCTOR:
Alan Morgan
Email: MorganA@lscc.edu
All students are required to use LakerMail for official college email
communications.
CREDIT:
Three (3) Semester Hours
PREREQUISITES:
None
READING MATERIAL:
Textbook:
CompTIA A+ Guide to Managing and MaintainingYour PC, 7 edition,
Jean Andrews, ISBN:9781435497788
OBJECTIVES INCLUDE:
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Learning how to identify, install, maintain, and troubleshoot PC
components
Proper techniques in handling electronic circuit boards
Learning how to ground oneself before handling hardware
Learning the functions of various hardware and software tools for
maintaining and troubleshooting PCs
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Learning BIOS and CMOS settings
Learning about the evolution of form factors and interfaces
Learning how to build PCs from the ground up, from installing
power supplies to mounting the motherboard in the chassis
Testing voltage using a volt meter
ATTENDANCE
&WITHDRAWAL
POLICIES
Punctual and regular attendance is required. Each class will start promptly
as scheduled, so arrive a few minutes early to be prepared. An incident
report will be filed with the Office of Student Affairs for each instance that
a student is late three or more times. The last day for students to withdraw
without academic penalty is Friday, March 25, 2010.
METHODS OF
EVALUATION:
Grades will be based on:
 homework (25%),
 quizzes(20%),
 labs(30%)
 research papers (25%),
Grading criteria and percentages may vary depending upon the progress of
the course and the instructor's discretion. Homework will be based on
chapter review questions provided as handouts before each class. Quizzes
will be based on the class lecture, as specified by your instructor. Missed
quizzes can be made up prior to the next class by coordinating a setting (in
the Learning Center) with the instructor, or by arriving 15 minutes early
the next class. Quizzes cannot be made up after they are handed back
to the class. The student's lowest quiz grade during the course will be
dropped. You may submit your homework by Laker Mail (answers only)
if you are going to miss class.
There will be two research papers: (1) The students will shop online for a
hypothetical new computer of your choosing (at HP.com, Dell.com.
Acer.com, etc) and provide a complete list of features and costs. (2) The
student will shop online (at TigerDirect.com, NewEgg.com, etc) for
individual computer components to build a hypothetical computer from
scratch. More information about these research papers will be provided in
class.
The final grade will be determined as follows:
A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; F = below 60
POLICY ON GRADED
DELIVERABLES
Homework is accepted no later than the beginning of class in which it is
due. Labs are accepted no later than two weeks after they are assigned.
This gives the student a maximum of three class periods to complete a lab.
However, each student is allowed to turn in a single assignment
(homework or lab only) up to one week late without penalty during the
course. Attach the ONE LATE ASSIGNMENT voucher (found in this
syllabus package) to the back of the late assignment. All other late
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assignments will be given a zero grade.
The research paper will not be accepted later than the beginning of class
on the date due (April 14th). The student may submit the research paper as
an email attachment if they are not going to make it to class.
Students may turn in graded deliverables early.
PRIVACY POLICY (FERPA):
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a
Federal law that protects the privacy of a student’s education records. In order for your information to be
released, a form must be signed and in your records located in the Admissions/Registrar’s Office.
SYLLABUS DISCLAIMER:
Information contained in this syllabus is, to the best knowledge of this instructor,
considered correct and complete when distributed to the student. The instructor
reserves the right, acting within policies and procedures of Lake-Sumter Community
College, to make necessary changes in course content or instructional techniques
without prior notice or obligation to the student.
OUTCOMES AND
COMPETENCIES
COURSE CONTENT:
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Development of the PC
PC components, features & system design
Microprocessor types and specifications
Motherboards and buses
BIOS
Memory
ATA and IDE interfaces
Magnetic storage principles
Hard disk storage
Removable storage
Optical storage
Electronic Storage
Physical drive installation and configuration
Video hardware and audio hardware
I/O interfaces
Internet connectivity
LANs
Power supplies
Upgrading systems
Overclocking and cooling
PC diagnostics, testing and maintenance
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PC components, features & system design
Microprocessor types and specifications
Motherboards and buses
BIOS
Memory
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ATA and IDE interfaces
Magnetic storage principles
Hard disk storage
Removable storage
Optical storage
Electronic Storage
Physical drive installation and configuration
Video hardware and audio hardware
I/O interfaces
Internet connectivity
LANs
Power supplies
Upgrading systems
Overclocking and cooling
PC diagnostics, testing and maintenance
STUDENTS WITH
DISABILITIES:
Persons with disabilities who require assistance or special
accommodations must see the instructor and notify the Office for Students
with Disabilities (OSD) immediately. The OSD Office is located in the
Student Services Department on Leesburg Campus. A representative can
be reached by calling 352-365-3574 to set up an appointment. Additional
information about Lake-Sumter Community College's OSD Services can
be found at www.LSCC.edu; click on Disability Services on the quick
links.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Please refer to the LSCC policy. Students are expected to uphold LakeSumter Community College’s standard of conduct relating to academic
honesty. Students assume full responsibility for the content and integrity
of the academic work they submit. The guiding principle of academic
integrity shall be that a student's submitted work, exams, quizzes,
assignments and projects must be that of the student's own work. Students
shall be guilty of violating the honor code when and if they:
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Represent the work of others as their own
Use or obtain unauthorized assistance in any academic work
Give unauthorized assistance to other students
Use another student’s documents without permission
Any student violating the honor code is subject to receiving an "F" grade
for the course and will be reported to the Office of Student Affairs.
If a student is unclear about whether a particular situation may constitute
an honor code violation, the student should meet with the instructor prior
to beginning the assignment to discuss the situation. Students are
encouraged to work together in completing their assignments; however,
one student should not do all the work.
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Some of the things that will not be tolerated in class are:
CLASSROOM
COURTESY
 Use of a cell phone for other than an emergency
 Excessive use of the Internet for other than classroom activities
 Chronic tardiness
 Disruptive behavior.
Any students that persist in behavior deemed inappropriate by the
instructor after being warned will be reported to the Office of Student
Services.
TEXT CHAPTERS COVERED IN THIS COURSE
Chapter 1 - Introducing Hardware
Chapter 4 - Form Factors, Power Supplies, and Working Inside a Computer
Chapter 5 - All About Motherboards
Chapter 6 - Supporting Processors
Chapter 7 - Upgrading Memory
Chapter 8 - Supporting Hard Drives
Chapter 9 - Installing and Supporting I/O Devices
Chapter 10 - Multimedia Devices and Mass Storage
Chapter 11 - PC Maintenance and Troubleshooting Strategies
Chapter 17 - Networking Essentials
Chapter 21 - Supporting Notebooks
Chapter 22 - Supporting Printers
COURSE CALENDER
Date
(2011)
Jan 6
Jan 13
Jan 20
Jan 27
Feb 3
Feb 10
Feb 17
Feb 24
Mar 3
Mar 10
Mar 17
Mar 24
Mar 31
April 7
April 14
April 21
April 28
Class
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Homework
Due
Student Survey
Ch 1
Ch 4
Ch 5
Ch 6
Ch 7
Ch 8
Ch 9
Ch 10
Ch 11
Ch 17
Ch 21
Ch 22
Chapter- Topic
1- Intro to Hardware
4 - Form Factors
5 - Motherboards
5 - Motherboards
6 - CPUs
6 - CPUs
7 - Memory
8 - Hard Drives
8 - Hard Drives
No Class - Spring Break
9 - I/O Devices
10- Multimedia & Mass Storage
11 - Maintenance & Troubleshooting
17 - Networking
21- Notebooks
22 - Printers
TBA
Comments
First day of class
Research papers due
Each student in the LSCC Spring 2011 Microcomputer Hardware class is
herein granted ONE FREE LATE ASSIGNMENT. The following rules and
conditions apply:
1. Only homework or lab assignments qualify for this offer.
2. The assignment in question can only be up to one week late.
3. Students are granted only one free late assignment for the entire
course. All other late assignments will receive a zero grade.
When you wish to claim your one free late assignment, fill in the blanks
below and attach this voucher to the back of the late assignment.
Today's Date: _______________________________________________
Your Name: _________________________________________________
Identity of the Assignment: ____________________________________
MICROCOMPUTER HARDWARE - SPRING 2011
STUDENT SURVEY
Complete and turn in by the end of the first class session.
Name _______________________________________________
City _________________________________________________________________________
Laker Mail E-Mail Address _______________________________________________________
Phone Contacts (only give me numbers that are OK for me to call)
Home _______________________ Work ___________________________
Cell _________________________ Other ___________________________
Are you coming to class directly from work or another class? Yes 
No 
Please indicate the courses you have taken on Microcomputer Hardware, Operating
Systems, or Networking, and the level of personal experience you have in these areas:
Please indicate your academic and professional goals
I have received a course syllabus and am familiar with the provisions and policies
contained within it.
Sign: _______________________________
Print _______________________________
Date_________________________