IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Syllabus for 2023-2024
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Phone

Phone number not available

Office Location

<p>AMTECH Career Academy Room B108</p>

Office Hours

Monday - Friday 11:15 am to 12 pm

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

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-1351-001 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 advanced concepts. Hands-on labs and Virtual Laptop and Virtual Desktop learning tools help students develop critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills. Cisco Packet Tracer simulation-based learning activities promote the exploration of network and networking security concepts and allow students to experiment with network behavior.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

In this course, you are expected to read all assigned materials and agree to abide by the rules and guidelines presented in the department academic integrity policy; by submitting an assignment, you acknowledge this policy. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VG1NSpxZzc8HDz_ElcnwYALIMYy-tCSl/view?usp=drive_link

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

None

Supplies

- Access to PC

- Reliable Access to the Internet

- TestOut

- Spiral notebook or 3-ring binder with notebook paper (for notes)

Student Performance

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Define information technology (IT) and describe the components of a personal computer.
Describe how to protect people, equipment, and environments from accidents, damage, and contamination.
Perform a step-by-step assembly of a desktop computer.
Explain the purpose of preventive maintenance and identify the elements of the troubleshooting process.
Install and navigate an operating system.
Configure computers to connect to an existing network.
Upgrade or replace components of a laptop based on customer needs.
Describe the features and characteristics of mobile devices.
Install and share a printer.
Implement basic physical and software security principles.
Apply good communications skills and professional behavior while working with customers.
Perform preventive maintenance and advanced troubleshooting.
Assess customer needs, analyze possible configurations, and provide solutions or recommendations for hardware, operating systems, networking, and security.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student 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 school policy.

Any action that compromises the computer systems, 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 - 25%
In-Class Quizzes (Blackboard) - 10%
In-Class Labs (Blackboard) - 25%
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 to successfully pass the CompTIA A+ certification. Passing the exams will be considered a sufficient demonstration of course concepts and mastery.

Attendance

Follow AISD guidelines for attendance.

Calendar

This course requires a working computer, connection to the Internet, and TestOut access.  It is recommended that students have a PC that they can dismantle in order to better apply the concepts learned in the hardware portion of the course.  

The schedule below represents a planned outline for the course. Actual dates are subject to change. Please check your email daily for course updates from your instructor.

Assignments are due by 11:30 PM each Sunday during Weeks 1-15. The Final Exam will be conducted in class during the Week 16, with the time determined by the Final Exam Schedule (which will be announced in class prior to finals week).

Due dates are posted each week in Canvas. It is the student's responsibility to monitor due dates and progress in the course.

Week 1

  • Module 1 & 2 (TestOut)

Week 2

  • Module 3 (TestOut)

Week 3

  • Module 4 (TestOut)

Week 4

  • Module 5 (TestOut)

Week 5

  • Module 6 (TestOut)

Week 6

  • Module 7 (TestOut)

Week 7

  • Module 8 (TestOut)

Week 8

  • Module 9 (TestOut)

Week 9

  • Module 10 (TestOut)

Week 10

  • Module 11 (TestOut)

Week 11

  • Module 12 (TestOut)

Week 12

  • Module 13 (TestOut)

Week 13

  • Module 14 (TestOut)

Week 14

  • Module 15 (TestOut)

Week 15

  • Appendix B.2 (Practice Exam questions Core 1)
  • Appendix C.2 (Practice Exam questions Core 2)

Week 16

  • Final Exam

Additional Information

CompTIA Testing

  • It is required that every student attempt the CompTIA A+ certification exam during the course
  • Testing will be done at the Pearson Vue testing center at Amarillo College
  • Students will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the testing site
  • Voucher numbers will be provided to each student to take the exam

Syllabus Created on:

01/15/24 9:09 AM

Last Edited on:

01/15/24 9:30 AM