CSNT 116 A+ Hardware

6 credits

Using the CompTIA A+ competencies, students will study all PC components. While installing and troubleshooting PC hardware, students gain a top-to-bottom knowledge of PC hardware technologies as they acquire critical levels of proficiency.

Prerequisites: MATH 087 (or placement into MATH 098 or higher)

Corequisites: CSNT 115 (prerequisite or corequisite)

Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Identify and describe the characteristics of the common storage devices used on desktop PCs
Describe the basic maintenance issues of disk drives
Explain the differences between ROM and RAM memory components
Demonstrate how system BIOS utilities function with system CMOS chips
Install and configure input and output devices and define their technologies
Define the characteristics and features of impact, ink-jet, laser, and color thermal printing systems
Explain the evolution of motherboard architectures and features
Research and report the latest technical advances in PC hardware via Internet resources

Program Outcomes
This course teaches to the following program outcomes:

be prepared to obtain an entry-level position in the IT field
perform successfully as computer technicians, Network technicians, installers, troubleshooters, help desk support, and network administrators

Total Hours: 100 Lecture Hours: 20 Lab or Clinical Hours: 80