Explores the hardware and software sections of the CompTIA A+ certification exam in detail. Covers installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of various hardware components. Also covers operating systems from a PC repair technician perspective and discusses how the operating system interacts with the PC’s hardware, the boot process, troubleshooting, and interaction with application software. The student will engage in hands-on lab activities with actual hardware components, operating systems, and application installations.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
- Working Inside the Computer
Identify, Install, configure, maintain, and upgrade hardware components
- Power System, Motherboards, Processors, and Memory
Troubleshoot and maintain hardware components
- Hard Drives, Storage, and I/O Devices
Assess storage problems and perform required steps to resolve issues.
- Networks and Printers
Connect to both wired and wireless networks, and printers.
- Troubleshooting Hardware Issues
Assess hardware problems and perform required steps to resolve issues.
- Introducing Operating Systems and components.
Describe the functions, structure, and major system files of various operating systems.
- Comparing Desktop and Mobile Operating Systems
Identify, update and maintain the operating system on different types of devices.
- Working with people in a technical world
Work with technicians both individually and as a team in a technical environment.
- Install, troubleshoot, maintain, and optimize an Operating System
Recognize and interpret common error codes in both hardware and software environments and identify steps to correct the problems.
- Security and network essentials for the Operating System environment
Identify and resolve operating system security threats.
- Windows PowerShell Scripting
Create PowerShell scripts and identify when to use and troubleshoot when the scripts error.
Assessment and Requirements
Assessment of academic achievement may include (but is not limited to) exams, quizzes, homework, and laboratory assignments.
Outcomes
Credit for Prior College-Level Learning
Skills-based assessment administered by the Computer Information Systems department faculty. Faculty will assess skills-based assessment based on evaluation rubric available in Department. Students must also complete a departmental exam and have proper licensure/certification.
CompTIA A+ Certification must be current. Department faculty will verify certification(s). Students must also complete a departmental exam and a skilled demonstration.