IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

CPMT-1351-DC001 IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software

Prerequisites

Course Description

An introduction to the computer hardware and software skills needed to help meet the growing demand for entry-level information and communication technology (ICT) professionals. The curriculum covers the fundamentals of PC technology, networking, and security, and also provides an introduction to concepts addressed by Cisco and CompTIA A+ certifications. Topics may adapt to changes in industry practices.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Cengage will provide the course materials to Dual Credit students free of charge. Directions to access course materials will be provided in the Blackboard course.

Supplies

- Access to PC

- Reliable Access to the Internet

- Spiral notebook or 3-ring binder with notebook paper

Student Performance

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Students are expected to maintain a high standard of individual honor in their scholastic work. Students who are guilty of cheating, plagiarism, copying, or dishonesty may receive a 0 on an assignment; may be excluded from class with a grade of F; or, in flagrant cases, may be suspended from the College (see Student Rights and Responsibilities).

Students who give another student their files or allow another student to use their work are committing a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.  Students who engage in this unethical behavior risk being subject to disciplinary action in accordance with College policy.

The Faculty of the CIS Program reserve the right to ask a student to verify any portion of a test or assignment by reproducing any specific section or the entire test/assignment in question.

Any action that compromises the computer systems at Amarillo College, including but not limited to hacking or cracking, can result in a grade of "F" in this course and possible further disciplinary action.

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria/Grading Scale:  

• 89.5 >= A

• 79.5 >= B

• 69.5 >= C

• 59.5 >= D

• 59.5 < F

The following criteria will be used to determine your grade:

Cengage Activities - 20%
Quizzes (Blackboard) - 10%
In-Person Labs (Blackboard) - 20%
Notebook / Guided Notes - 10%
Midterm Exam - 20%
Final Exam - 20%

All work is provided for each student at the beginning of the semester. It is your responsibility to ensure all work is completed by the scheduled dates.

The purpose of this course is to prepare students for success on the CompTIA A+ certification exam. While attempting the certification is not required, successful completion of the exam will be recognized as a clear demonstration of mastery of the course concepts.

Attendance

All Week 1 assignments must be completed by the end of Week 1, in order to be considered Present in the course. Failure to complete all assignments by this date will lead to an administrative drop from the course.

1. Check your email daily.  The email address used by your instructor is the @amarillocollege.com email issued to each AC student. Your instructor will communicate important course updates, guidance, and hints via email.
2. Complete assignments by the scheduled date/time. Any work turned in late, but within 5 days of the due date will receive a 10% deduction. Late work will not be accepted after this grace period.
3. Attendance will be monitored by Watermark, attendance in lab sessions, access log-in dates recorded in Blackboard, and completing required assignments.  Excessive absence or lack of participation may result in failure of the course.
4. Your instructor may be contacted by email through the course in Blackboard. Online meetings or additional help are available if needed or desired. Please contact your instructor by email to set up a convenient day/time.
5. Emails are typically answered within 24 hours. If you do not receive a response within that time frame, please resend your message as a reminder.
6. Note this class will require a considerable amount of time to complete all of the course work. Actual amounts will vary depending on weekly assignments, topic complexity, and you. Most students spend 10-15 hours on the course outside of class time. 
7. If your average drops below 60 and you do not officially withdraw by the posted deadline, you will receive an F for the course.

This is NOT a fully online class, and participation in the labs is a requirement for the course.  Each lab day (4 sessions), you will have time to complete the hands-on labs for the session.  At the beginning of each lab session, you will show your instructor your completed Guided Notes and any extra notes in your Lab Notebook for the course (spiral notebook or 3-ring binder with notebook paper).  The Lab Notebook and Guided Notes must be handwritten and include material you deem appropriate.  Examples of material to include are relevant vocabulary, definitions, acronym lists, key concepts, insights from the reading, and chapter notes.  The Guided Notes and Lab Notebook are essentially your ticket to the lab sessions.  If you do not have it completed, you will not be allowed to participate in the hands-on lab activities.  Your instructor will provide an example for Chapter 1 as a guide.  Data has shown that the most successful students use handwritten notes and prepare for class by studying the material before attending labs. 

Due to the nature of this course and the volume of work required to master this material, students are rarely successful when attempts are made to complete work during only one or two days each week. Please schedule your time, so that you can devote the appropriate energy and effort to achieve success in this course.

Calendar

Additional Information

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

September 1: Labor Day (AC Campuses Closed)

September 2: Fall Dual Credit Classes Begin

September 16: Census Day (Administrative Drop for Non-Attendance)

October 20 - 24: Fall Break (Students will have assignments this week in dual credit courses)

November 24-30: Thanksgiving Holiday (No coursework this week; AC Campuses Closed November 27-30)

December 1: Last Day to Withdraw

December 15-18: Final Exams Week

• Student Help Resources:
  • Center for Teaching and Learning Student and Faculty Help Center - www.actx.edu/ctl/helpcenter
  • Center For Teaching and Learning - www.actx.edu/ctl/
  • Blackboard Student Help Page - www.actx.edu/ctl/blackboard-student-help
  • AskAC - www.actx.edu/contact-us/
  • Academic Success Center - www.actx.edu/successcenters/index.php
  • Advocacy and Resource Center - www.actx.edu/arc/index.php
  • Career & Employment Services - www.actx.edu/career/
  • Advising Home Page - www.actx.edu/advising/
  • Counseling Center Home Page - www.actx.edu/counseling/
  • Legal Clinic Home Page - www.actx.edu/legal_clinic/

• Blackboard 101:
  Many students need more technical assistance with the new Blackboard Ultra. Blackboard 101 is an optional self-paced Blackboard tutorial course to help familiarize students with the workings and mechanics of Blackboard Ultra. See The Blackboard Student Help Page - www.actx.edu/ctl/blackboard-student-help - for more information about Blackboard 101.