PC Essentials

Computer Hardware and Software (CIT111)

Course Syllabus

Instructor: Mr. Keller Phone: 270.274.9612

Email: ken.keller@ohio.kyschools.us Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

High School Credit(s) 1

KCTCS
Course Number(s) KCTCS Course Name(s) College Credits
CIT111 Computer Hardware & Software 4

Welcome to KY-Tech, Ohio County ATC. I am very excited about the 2013–2014 school year.
We have SkillsUSA club that you can participate in to exercise your knowledge of the computer
field. If you have any questions about any of the clubs, this program, or anything else; please
don’t hesitate to ask. AND DON’T FORGET…LET’S HAVE A GREAT YEAR.

Prerequisites: CIT105

Course Description
This course introduces basic computer hardware and operating systems, covering installing,
building, upgrading, repairing, configuring, troubleshooting, optimizing, diagnosing and
preventive maintenance, with additional elements of soft skills and security. Course objectives
map closely to the CompTIA A+ Essentials National Examination that validates the basic skills
needed by any entry-level computer service technician.

Objectives
The objectives for the semester are important. They set the groundwork for what you will learn
during the next thirty-six weeks. See
http://www.kytechcurriculum.org/reports.asp?version=0&report=16&type=h&filter=2300 for
task list.

Text
CompTIA A+ Guide to Managing & Maintaining Your PC by Jean Andrews, Ph.D.

Skill Standards
The skill standards were created based upon the KY Ed. Reform Act (KERA). In 1999,
Kentucky created the skill standards to answer this question, “What does a worker need to know
and be able to do to contribute to the safe and effective delivery of communications occupations
and related occupations?” See forms attached for the skill standards we will cover during the
next thirty-six weeks.

KY Academic Expectations and Core Content

The academic expectations and core content covered throughout this class are based upon KERA.
They will aid in enhancing the learning experience. See the attached forms for the academic
expectations and core content covered during the next thirty-six weeks.

Procedures for Makeup Work

This course will follow the policy for makeup work as stated in the Kentucky Tech – Ohio
County Area Technology Center Student Handbook (pg 20).

Attendance Policy
This course will follow the attendance policy as stated in the Kentucky Tech – Ohio County Area
Technology Center Student Handbook (pg 6).
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 PC Essentials
Computer Hardware and Software (CIT111)
Course Syllabus

Grade Plan
Lab Assignments (120 x 50 pts each) 6000 pts (67%)
Participation (18 x 50 pts each) 900 pts (10%)
Test (10 x 200 pts each) 2000 pts (23%)
Total 8900 pts (100%)

Supplies (to be supplied by the student)

All students will need the following supplies for this course:
 Pen (black or blue ink only)
 Paper
 Jump drive
 Safety Glasses
 Positive attitude.

Class Expectations/ Rules

 Be responsible
 Be on time (must be in seat when bell rings)
 Respect everyone
 Don’t touch what is not yours
 Always give 100 percent—no less
 Stay in assigned seat
 Don’t roll around in chair
 No eating or drinking in the classroom
 No playing on the internet/e-mail
 Clean up after yourself
 No horseplay

Course Outline
Upon Competition of this course, the student can:
1. Apply work site and lab safety procedures.
2. Apply personal safety rules and procedures
3. Apply fire prevention rules and procedures
4. Demonstrate accountability of and the safe and careful use of company equipment,
machines, etc.
5. Logically organize workflow and analyze, organize, and develop concepts into practical
applications.
6. Effectively present a precise and accurate written communication using proper grammar,
spelling, punctuation, etc.
7. Effectively present a precise and accurate oral presentation using proper grammar.
8. Demonstrate the ability to work as a team member as well as using conflict resolution
techniques.
9. Demonstrate correct use of computer terminology and ethical usage of software and
hardware.
10. Demonstrate ethical behavior in the workplace: ie, harassment, honesty, discrimination,
professionalism, etc.
11. Prepare a resume, letter of application and participate in an interview.
12. Implement new process steps given oral instructions.
13. Identify opportunities for and apply problem solving techniques
14. Identify potential safety hazards and take preventative action.
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 PC Essentials
Computer Hardware and Software (CIT111)
Course Syllabus
15. Use Material Safety Date Sheets (MSDS) or equivalent documentation and appropriate
equipment documentation.
16. Use appropriate repair tools
17. Describe methods to handle environmental and human accidents including incident
reporting.
18. Identify potential hazards and implement proper safety procedures including ESD
precautions and procedures, safe work environment, and equipment handling.
19. Identify proper disposal procedures for batteries, display devices and chemical solvents
and cans.
20. Identify potential hazards and proper safety procedures including power supply, display
devices and environment.
21. Use good communication skills including listening and tact/discretion, when
communicating with customers and colleagues.
22. Use job-related professional behavior including notation of privacy, confidentiality and
respect for the customer and customer’s property.
23. Identify the names, purposes and characteristics of storage devices, motherboards, power
supplies, and processors, cooling systems, memory, display devices, input devices,
adapter cards, ports and cables.
24. Install, configure, optimize, and upgrade personal computer components including
internal and external storage devices, display devices, basic input, and multimedia
devices.
25. Identify tools, diagnostic procedures, and troubleshooting techniques for personal
computer components.
26. Perform preventative maintenance on personal computer components.
27. Install, configure, upgrade, and support laptops and portable devices and identify the
names, purposes, and characteristics of laptop specific computer components.
28. Install, configure, optimize, and upgrade the current Windows client operating system.
29. Identify names, locations, purposes, and characteristics of operating system files.
30. Create view, and manage disks, directories, and files in Windows operating systems.
31. Identify tools, diagnostic procedures, and troubleshooting techniques for operating
systems.
32. Perform preventative maintenance on Windows operating systems.
33. Identify the names, purposes, and characteristics of printer and scanner components,
ports, and cables.
34. Install, configure, optimize, troubleshoot, and upgrade printers and scanners.
35. Describe basic networking concepts including cables, connectors, and connection types.
36. Install, configure, and troubleshoot network cards, and manage wired and wireless
connections.
37. Identify the fundamental principles of security including smart cards, authentication
technologies, malicious software protection, firewalls, file system security, wireless
network security, data and physical security.
38. Diagnose and troubleshoot hardware, software, and data security issues.
39. Identify potential safety hazards and take preventative action including proper disposal.
40. Use good communication skills and demonstrate professional behavior.
41. Convert among decimal, binary, and hexadecimal number system.

NOTE: This syllabus may be adjusted or modified, if needed, at the discretion of the instructor.

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