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EMT2370: Computer Hardware Systems

General Information

Instructor: Prof. Benito Mendoza
Lectures: Tuesday 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm, and 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Classroom: V610
Office: V620
Office Hours: Wednesday 10:30-11:30, Thursday 10:30-11:30, or by appointment.
Email : bmendoza@citytech.cuny.edu
Phone: 718-260-5885
Website: http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/faculty/BMendoza
Required lab material
Textbook
Reference Books

Course Overview

Computer hardware systems, along with several software concepts, are studied to understand the function and relationship of the CPU, memory, and peripheral equipment. Course material is chosen for relevance to industry certification exams such as A+. The peripheral equipment includes monitors, disk drives, scanners, and printers. During laboratory exercises, computer systems, with monitor and operating system, are provided for analysis by students working in teams. However, as an option, each student can build, configure, analyze and troubleshoot his or her own IBM PC (or compatible) computer.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this course, the learner will be able to meet these overall objectives:

  • Setup and configure a new computer.
  • Given a scenario, select the appropriate components for a custom PC configuration, to meet customer specifications or needs.
  • Install or upgrade the operating system.
  • Install, configure, and manage common peripheral devices and multifunction device/printers.
  • Troubleshoot common problems related to internal components such as motherboards, RAM, CPU, and power with appropriate tools.
  • Troubleshoot common computer problems that can be resolved without replacing internal components.
  • Install and configure a Small-Office/Home-Office (SOHO) wireless/wired router and apply appropriate settings.

About the CompTIA A+ Certification

A+ is a comprehensive and vendor-neutral certification that validates foundational skills and knowledge in troubleshooting, networking, and security across a variety of computing devices. A+ establishes best practices to set the stage for IT careers. The certification also matches professional tech skills with communication skills. As businesses and governments worldwide continue to adopt mobile and cloud technology, they trust A+ certified professionals to keep their devices running and organizations working smoothly.

About the TestOut PC Pro Certification

The TestOut PC Pro Certification is a true 100% performance-based certification—a certification that measures not just what you know, but what you can do. The certification focuses on validating job skills. Check out the PC Pro exam objectives on setting up, configuring, and manage system Components, peripheral devices, networking, printing, mobile devices, Windows system management, and security.

Prerequisites

The knowledge and skills that a learner must have before attending this course are as follows:
  • Basic computer literacy
  • Basic Networking commands (Windows and Linux)
  • Basic Microsoft Windows navigation skills
  • Basic Internet usage skills
  • Basic e-mail usage skills

Grading

Homework assignments: 50%

  • Quizzes: 25%
  • Labs: 25%

In-class assignments, labs, and exams: 50%

  • Weekly in-class quizzes: 10%
  • In-Class Labs: 20%
  • Mid-Term Exam: 10%
  • Final Exam: 10%

Homework Assignments

  • There will be homework assignments every week: quizzes and labs (From TestOut LabSim PC Pro).
  • The student can answer the online quizzes and labs with open notes at home. Every quiz and lab have to be completed by midnight the day before the next class (midnight Monday). The minimum pass grade is 80. The student has as many attempts as needed to pass them, the highest grade will be taken as the final grade.
  • The homework online labs and quizzes have to be successfully completed in order to have access to the labs and quizzes in the classroom.
  • You have to pass all the quizzes and labs to have the right to take the Mid-Term and the Final Exam; the minimum passing grade for those labs and quizzes is 80%.
  • If for any reason you miss a class, it is your responsibility to complete the corresponding online homework assignments.
  • There is no make-up time for missing assignments. Nothing will be accepted after the due date.

In-class Exams

  • The Mid-Term exam will cover modules 1 to 6 from LabSim PC Pro training material
  • The final exam will be the actual TestOut PC Pro exam.

In-Class Lab Assignments

The in-class laboratory work has to be completed in classroom time. No late submissions. Lab assignments are graded on a scale from 0 to 3 according to the following criteria:
Criteria  Grade
Successfully completed the lab assignment  100
Made a legitimate attempt to complete the lab assignment  75
Attended the lab, but made no effort to complete the assignment  30
Did not attend the lab  0

Technology Prerequisites

  1. Access to your school email account
  2. Access to your Blackboard account
  3. You need access to a computer Internet connection, preferably a high-speed Internet access.

Notes

  1. The instructor reserves the right to modify this outline anytime.
  2. Computer knowledge will be strongly emphasized; therefore, spend time learning how to use Microsoft and Linux Operating Systems.  (More instructions will be provided when appropriate)

Topics

Please check the list of topics on the weekly schedule at:

https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/emt2370s20/schedule/