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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Computer Maintenance: A+ Exam Prep Level II
Course: BPC270

First Term: 2013 Fall
 Lec + Lab   3.0 Credit(s)   4.0 Period(s)   3.7 Load  
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S


Description: Explore advanced technical aspects of maintaining and servicing computers. Emphasis placed on installation, maintenance, mobile devices, security, troubleshooting, and resolving various computer problems. Helps prepare students for the CompTIA A+ examinations.



MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Identify the fundamentals of using operating systems. (I)
2. Install, configure, optimize, upgrade and perform preventive maintenance on operating systems using appropriate tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques. (I, II, VIII)
3. Explain the purposes, requirements, and security measurements needed for implementing virtualization. (III)
4. Define the different types of disk storage and file systems and perform common disk management and file management procedures. (IV, V)
5. Utilize common techniques for managing folders and files, including setting permissions, file attributes, sharing between users. (V)
6. Identify the fundamental principles of security. (VI)
7. Implement security policy and procedure on wired and wireless networks based upon given scenarios, including selection of appropriate security components. (VI)
8. Install, configure, upgrade, optimize and perform preventive maintenance with respect to security using appropriate tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques. (VI)
9. Compare the differences between mobile devices, including hardware, mobile operating systems, and security. (VII)
10. Describe communication methods for mobile devices. (VII)
11. Setup, configure, and use applications to retrieve and synchronize data between a mobile device and computer/server. (VII)
12. Explain the theory, processes, and best practices for troubleshooting hardware components, operating systems, peripherals, mobile devices, networking, and security. (VIII)
13. Identify symptoms and use the tools needed to fix hardware components, operating systems, peripherals, mobile devices, networking, and security based upon given scenarios. (VIII)
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. Windows Operating System (OS)
   A. Parts of an Operating System
      1. Kernel
      2. Drivers
      3. Interface
      4. Utilities
      5. Applications
   B. Components of the Windows Interface
      1. Desktop
      2. Taskbar
      3. Notification Area
      4. Windows Explorer
      5. Control Panel
      6. User Account Control (UAC)
   C. System Tools
   D. Preferences and Settings
      1. Users
      2. Virtual Memory
   E. Maintenance
      1. Performance Monitoring
      2. Install and Uninstall Applications
      3. Apply System and Application Updates
      4. System Protection
   F. HomeGroup
II. System Implementation
   A. Processes and Procedures for Pre-Installation of the OS
   B. Installing Windows
   C. Processes and Procedures for Post-Installation of the OS
III. Virtualization
   A. Components Included in Virtualization
      1. Physical Machine
      2. Hypervisor
      3. Virtual Machine
      4. Virtual Hard Disk (VHD)
   B. Types of Virtualization
      1. Full
      2. Partial
      3. Paravirtualization
   C. Security Benefits and Issues
IV. Disk Management
   A. Disk Types
      1. Dynamic vs. Basic
      2. Primary
      3. Extended
      4. Logical
   B. Disk Management
      1. Drive Status
      2. Adding Drives and Arrays
      3. Mounting, Extending, and Splitting Partitions
   C. Optimization and Maintenance
      1. Disk Cleanup
      2. Check Disk
      3. Defrag
V. File Management
   A. File System Components
      1. Partition
      2. Volume
      3. Directory
      4. File
   B. File System Types
      1. FAT/FAT32
      2. New Technology File System (NTFS)
      3. Compact Disc File System (CDFS)
   C. Folder and File Management
      1. Common File Locations for Windows
      2. Common File Management Commands
   D. Sharing Folders and Files
      1. NTFS vs. Share Permissions
      2. File Attributes
VI. System Security
   A. Attack and Intrusion Methods and Countermeasures
      1. Social Engineering
      2. Malware
   B. Security Best Practices
      1. Principle of Least Privilege
      2. Account Management and Authentication
      3. Encryption
   C. Physical Security
      1. Building Security
      2. User Education
      3. Data Destruction
   D. Network Security
      1. Network Utilities
      2. Wired and Wireless Networks
      3. Firewalls
      4. Proxy Servers
VII. Mobile Devices
   A. Laptop vs. Mobile Device Features
   B. Operating Systems
   C. Network Connectivity
   D. System and Application Configuration
   E. Securing Devices
VIII. Maintenance, Diagnostics, and Troubleshooting
   A. Troubleshooting Theory and Methods
   B. Hardware Components
   C. Video
   D. Peripheral Devices
   E. Networking
   F. Operating System
   G. Windows Recovery
   H. System Errors
   I. Security
   J. Mobile Device
 
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: June 25, 2013

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.