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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
A+ Exam Prep: Computer Hardware Configuration and Support
Course: BPC170

First Term: 2017 Spring
 Lec + Lab   3.0 Credit(s)   4.0 Period(s)   3.7 Load  
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S - Standard Load


Description: Explore technical aspects of personal computers, including system components, installation, system configuration, peripheral devices, and notebooks. Emphasis placed on hardware installation, maintenance, mobile devices, and hardware troubleshooting. Helps prepare students for the CompTIA A+ examinations.



MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Identify the fundamental principles of using personal computers. (I, II, III)
2. Identify, install, configure, optimize, and upgrade personal computer components using appropriate tools. (I, II, III)
3. Identify the fundamental principles of networks. (IV)
4. Identify and describe network hardware and network media and their uses in given scenarios. (IV)
5. Install, configure, and deploy wired and wireless networks using appropriate tools and network components based upon given scenarios. (IV)
6. Identify the fundamental principles of using laptops. (V)
7. Install, configure, optimize, and upgrade laptops using appropriate tools. (V)
8. Identify the fundamental principles of using printers. (VI)
9. Install, configure, maintain, and share printers based upon given scenarios. (VI)
10. Explain the theory, processes, and best practices for troubleshooting hardware components, peripherals, mobile devices, and networking. (VII)
11. Identify symptoms and use the tools needed to fix hardware components, peripherals, mobile devices, and networking based upon given scenarios (VII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.
 
MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Personal Computers and Components
   A. Connection Interfaces and Their Purposes
      1. Serial, Parallel, PS/2
      2. USB (Universal Serial Bus)
      3. IEEE 1394
   B. Components
      1. Cases
      2. Motherboards
      3. Processors
      4. Memory
      5. Expansion Cards
      6. Power Supplies
      7. Cooling
   C. Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) Settings and Security
II. Peripheral Devices
   A. Device Connector Types and Associated Cables
   B. Display Devices
      1. Analog
      2. Digital
      3. Multiple Displays
   C. Install Drivers
   D. Modify Settings and Properties
III. Storage
   A. Storage Devices
      1. Floppy Disk
      2. Hard Disk
      3. Optical Discs
      4. Flash Devices
      5. Solid State Drives
      6. Tape Drives
   B. Connection Types and Associated Cables
      1. Parallel ATA (PATA)
      2. Serial ATA (SATA)
      3. Small Computer System Interface (SCSI)
      4. USB/Firewire
      5. Ethernet
   C. RAID
IV. Networking
   A. Network Types
      1. Local Area Network (LAN)
      2. Wide Area Network (WAN)
      3. Personal Area Network (PAN)
      4. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
      5. Topologies
   B. Network Devices
      1. Network Adapter
      2. Hub
      3. Switch
      4. Router
      5. Bridge
   C. Network Cables and Connectors
      1. Coaxial
      2. Twisted Pair
      3. Fiber Optic
   D. Network Addressing
      1. Mac Addresses
      2. Logical Addresses
      3. Internet Protocol (IP) Class
         a. Class A
         b. Class B
         c. Class C
      4. Static vs. Dynamic
      5. Client-Side Domain Name System (DNS)
      6. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
      7. Subnet Mask
      8. Gateway
   E. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) vs. User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
   F. Common Ports and Protocols
   G. Wireless Networking
      1. IEEE Standards
      2. Authentication
      3. Security and Encryption
   H. Small Office/Home Office Network (SOHO)
V. Laptop Devices
   A. Hardware Components and Expansion Options
   B. Power Saving Options
   C. Special Function Keys
   D. Display Technology
      1. Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD)
      2. Light-Emitting Diode (LED)
      3. Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED)
      4. Plasma
VI. Printing
   A. Printer Types
      1. Ink Jet (Ink Dispersion)
      2. Laser
      3. Thermal
      4. Impact
   B. Imaging Processes
      1. Electrophotographic Process (EP)
      2. Hewlett-Packard (HP) Process
      3. LED Process
   C. Sharing
   D. Printer Maintenance
VII. Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
   A. Troubleshooting Theory and Methods
   B. Hardware Components
   C. Video
   D. Peripheral Devices
   E. Networking

 
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: December 13, 2016

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.