CSC 225: Computer Hardware

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CSC 225 Syllabus

• Instructor: Ron Poland
• Office Number: Room 530
• Telephone: 562-4194
• Email: ron.poland@clinton.edu
• Credit Hours: Three

Appointments are easily available outside of these hours. Contact the instructor to arrange an appointment.

Course Name and Title: Intro to Computer Hardware CSC 225

I. Course Description:

Students will learn the basic functions of common hardware components of an IBM compatible Personal Computer. Students will learn basic PC troubleshooting skills and become familiar with basic test equipment and diagnostic software. Appropriate personal safety measures when working on a PC will also be introduced. This course covers most objectives for the Core portion of CompTIA's A+ Service Technician exam.

II. Course Prerequisites:

CSC121 Fundamental Concepts of Computing and CSC102 Intro to Microcomputer Applications

III. Textbooks and Supplies:

Enhanced A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining your PC
6th Edition. Jean Andrews

IV. Course Objectives and Methods of Instruction:

Upon completion of this course students shall be able to:

• Identify and describe the function of common PC components.
• Describe the installation, proper handling, and set-up of common PC components.
• Demonstrate proper personal and equipment safety measures.
• Explain preventative maintenance practices and procedures.
• Locate targeted information on the Internet.

The course will be taught by a combination of instructor led discussions, audio-visual materials, class participation, and hands-on lab activities.

V. General Education Objectives met:

None

VI. Course Outline and Schedule:

CSC 225 Fall 2008 Schedule

Week Number	Date	What's Due	Topics/Activities	Assignment
1	8/25	None	Class Intro, Syllabus, Lab Procedures	Syllabus Quiz
1	8/27	Syllabus Quiz	Lab	Module 1 Reading and Assignment
2	9/1	Module 1 Assignment	Module 1 Discussion	Study for Quiz
2	9/3	None	Module 1 Quiz and Lab	Module 2 Reading and Assignment
3	9/8	Module 2 Assignment	Module 2 Discussion	Study For Quiz
3	9/10	None	Module 2 Quiz and Lab	Module 3 Reading and Assignment
4	9/15	Module 3 Assignment	Module 3 Discussion	Study For Quiz
4	9/17	None	Module 3 Quiz and Lab	Module 4 Reading (Chapter 5)
5	9/22	None	Module 4 Discussion	Module 4 Reading (Chapter 6)
5	9/24	Module 4 Assignment	Module 4 Discussion	None
6	9/29	None	Module 4 Lab	Study For Quiz
6	10/1	None	Module 4 Quiz and Lab	Module 5 Reading and Assignment
7	10/6	Module 5 Assignment	Module 5 Discussion	Study For Quiz
7	10/8	None	Module 5 Quiz and Lab	Module 6 Reading and Assignment
N/A	10/13	No Class - school closed
N/A	10/15	WebQuest
8	10/20	Module 6 Assignment	Module 6 Discussion	None
8	10/22	None	Module 6 Lab	Study For Quiz
9	10/27	None	Module 6 Quiz and Lab	Module 7 Reading and Assignment
9	10/29	Module 7 Assignment	Module 7 Discussion	Study For Quiz
10	11/3	None	Module 7 Quiz and Lab	Module 8 Reading and Assignment
10	11/5	Module 8 Assignment	Module 8 Discussion	None
11	11/10	None	Module 8 Lab	None
11	11/12	None	Module 8 Lab	Study For Quiz
12	11/17	None	Module 8 Quiz and Lab	Module 9 Reading and Assignment
12	11/19	Module 9 Assignment	Module 9 Discussion	Study For Quiz
13	11/24	None	Module 9 Quiz and Lab	Module 10 Reading and Assignment
13	11/26	No Class - school closed
14	12/1	Module 10 Assignment	Module 10 Discussion	Study For Quiz
14	12/3	WebQuest Due	Module 10 Quiz and Lab	Study For Final Exam
15	12/11 or 12/13	None	Final Exam Final Exam Review Class Grades	None

VII. Assignments and Attendance:

• All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the specified date, they may not be turned in late.
• Assignments may be emailed but they must be emailed using the CCC student account.
• Assignments must be word-processed. College-level, business-quality work is expected.
• Students are expected to follow the college's attendance policy. Failure to do so with result in involuntary withdrawal from the class. There are no excused absences; failure to attend class for any reason is an absence. Arriving late for class or leaving early will count as half an absence.
• Students absent from a scheduled assessment because of some unavoidable circumstance may be allowed a make-up by presenting written documentation explaining the absence. The instructor will determine the time for the make-up. Students who miss quizzes or the exam for other reasons will not be allowed a make-up.

VIII. Evaluation, Grading, and Makeup Policy:

Students will be evaluated by 1 WebQuest, 10 Assignments, 11 quizzes and a final exam during the semester. The lowest quiz grade is dropped. Makeup quizzes will be allowed if documentation is presented for the absence OR previous arrangements were made with the instructor. Everything shall be graded on a scale of 0 - 100.

• WebQuest Project 10%
• Quizzes 40%
• Written Assignments 40%
• Final Exam 10%

Percentages for the final grade will be rounded to the nearest whole point, and a letter grade will be assigned. The grading scale is as follows:

95 - 100=A, 90 - 94=A-

86 - 89=B+, 83 - 85=B, 80 - 82=B-

76-79=C+, 73 - 75=C, 70-72=C-

65 - 69=D+, 60 - 64=D, 0 - 59=F

IX. Student Ethics:

Any form of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero on said assignment, quiz or test. Repeat offenders may be subject to formal proceedings. Academic dishonesty includes (but is not limited to) handing in work that you did not do, attempting to use another student's answers during an exam, copying material from another student, and allowing another student to use your work. It is not acceptable to work with another student and each turn in the same work.

The classroom PCs and equipment represent a tremendous investment of resources in both financial terms and instructor support time. The computers may not be used for anything except class work during class time. Any student observed using the PCs for other than class work or deviating from the assigned lab procedure will be dismissed from class immediately and marked as absent for the day. There shall be no warnings and no second chances. Do not hesitate to ask the instructor for clarification prior to using the PC for an activity that may be deemed a violation of this policy. The intent of this policy is to focus students on the procedure at hand and not allow one or more individuals to steer the group's focus to areas that are not beneficial to the subject. Examples include but are not limited to: assigning incorrect passwords and usernames, performing commands on the PC that have no relationship to the subject at hand, incorrectly or unsafely using the tools and test equipment, and otherwise making adjustments to the PC's settings that have little to no useful value. When in doubt, ask the instructor.

X. Student Needs:

As per Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, if an accommodation is needed, contact me privately after class or during my office hours as soon as possible so I can help you obtain any assistance you may need to successfully complete this course. Laurie Bethka, Room 420M in the Academic Assistance Center, may also be contacted for further assistance.

XI. Emergency procedures:

School cancellations due to inclement weather will be announced on local radio stations as listed in the CCC student handbook. Class cancellations due to instructor absence will be posted on the class web site, placed on my telephone answering service and posted on the classroom door. Room changes will be announced in advance whenever possible and posted on the classroom door.