Course Outline for Electronic Systems Technology 63
IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software

Effective: Spring 2021
SLO Rev: 04/30/2020
Catalog Description:

ESYS 63 - IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software

3.00 Units

Cisco Networking Academy IT Essentials course. Students will learn the internal components of a computer, assemble a computer system, install an operating system, and troubleshoot using system tools and diagnostic software. Students will also connect to the Internet and share resources in a network environment. Additional topics covered include laptops and portable devices, wireless connectivity and basic implementation skills, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), security, safety and environmental issues, applied network configuration and troubleshooting skills, and communication skills. May not receive credit if Computer Application Systems 83 has been completed.
0934.00 - Electronics and Electric Technology*
Letter Grade Only
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 2.00 36.00 72.00 108.00
Laboratory 1.00 54.00 0.00 54.00
Total 3.00 90.00 72.00 162.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. define information technology (IT) and describe the components of a personal computer;
  2. describe and demonstrate the proper use of hand tools for computer assembly;
  3. perform a step-by-step assembly of a desktop computer and install and navigate an operating system;
  4. explain the steps of the troubleshooting process and perform basic troubleshooting and preventive maintenance;
  5. describe operating system capabilities and perform basic operating system installation;
  6. identify and describe the main components of laptops and portable devices;
  7. identify the main components of printers and scanners;
  8. describe basic network components and configure computers to attach to an existing network;
  9. identify basic security threats and implement basic physical and software security protocols;
  10. apply good communications skills and professional behavior while working with customers.
Course Content:

Course Content, (Lecture):

  1. Introduction to the Personal Computer
    1. PC components
    2. Computer disassembly
    3. Computer assembly
  2. Safe lab procedures and tool use
    1. ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection of computer
    2. ESD wrist strap and ESD mat use
    3. Proper use of hand tools for computer servicing
    4. Proper handling and storage of computer components
    5. Environment Protection: safe disposal of equipment and supplies
  3. Introduction to Advanced Hardware
    1. Booting the computer. Hard boot vs soft boot
      1. POST (power on self test)
      2. BIOS (basic input/output services)
      3. UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)
    2. Electrical Power
      1. UPS (uninterruptable power supplies)
      2. Power fluctuation and protection
    3. CPU architecture and operation
    4. RAID (redundant array of independent drives)
    5. Ports, connectors, and cables
    6. Peripherals
      1. Monitors: LED vs LCD (light emitting diode vs liquid crystal)
      2. Keyboards: standard and ergonomic
      3. Mice and other pointing devices
    7. Specialized computers
      1. Gaming
      2. Audio/video editing
      3. Virtualization
      4. CAD (computer aided drafting) workstation
  4. Printers
    1. Common printer features
    2. Comparing laser to inkjet to thermal to dot matrix printer types
    3. Installing and configuring printers (connections and software)
    4. Sharing printers
    5. Maintenance and troubleshooting printers
  5. Laptops and Mobile Devices
    1. Characteristics of laptops and mobile devices
    2. Laptop configuration
    3. Laptop hardware and component installation
    4. Mobile device hardware
    5. Network connectivity and email
    6. Preventative maintenance for laptops and other mobile devices
    7. Basic troubleshooting process for laptops and mobile devices.
  6. Networking Concepts
    1. Network components and types
    2. Networking protocols, standards and services
    3. Networking devices and cables
    4. Device to network connection
    5. Basic Troubleshooting process for networks
  7. Windows Installation and Configuration
    1. Modern operating systems
    2. Disk management
    3. Installation and Boot sequence
    4. Windows Desktop and File Management
    5. System Administration
    6. Command line tools
    7. Common preventative maintenance for operating systems
    8. Basic troubleshooting process for operating systems
  8. Mobile, Linux and macOS Operating Systems
    1. Mobile operation systems
    2. Methods of securing mobile devices
    3. Linux operating systems and the Command Line Interface
    4. macOS Systems
    5. Basic troubleshooting process for above operating systems
  9. Security
    1. Security threats
    2. Security procedures
    3. Securing Windows workstations
    4. Wireless security
    5. Basic troubleshooting process for security
  10. Virtualization and Cloud Computing
    1. Client side virtualization
    2. Cloud computing applications
    3. Cloud services
  11. The IT Professionals
    1. Communication skills of the IT professional
    2. Operational procedures
    3. Ethical and legal considerations
    4. Call center technicians
Course Content, (Laboratory):
  1. Introduction to the Personal Computer
    1. PC components
    2. Computer disassembly
    3. Computer assembly
  2. Safe lab procedures and tool use
    1. ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection of computer
    2. ESD wrist strap and ESD mat use
    3. Proper use of hand tools for computer servicing
    4. Proper handling and storage of computer components
    5. Environment Protection: safe disposal of equipment and supplies
  3. Introduction to Advanced Hardware
    1. Booting the computer. Hard boot vs soft boot
      1. POST (power on self test)
      2. BIOS (basic input/output services)
      3. UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)
    2. Electrical Power
      1. UPS (uninterruptable power supplies)
      2. Power fluctuation and protection
    3. CPU architecture and operation
    4. RAID (redundant array of independent drives)
    5. Ports, connectors, and cables
    6. Peripherals
      1. Monitors: LED vs LCD (light emitting diode vs liquid crystal)
      2. Keyboards: standard and ergonomic
      3. Mice and other pointing devices
    7. Specialized computers
      1. Gaming
      2. Audio/video editing
      3. Virtualization
      4. CAD (computer aided drafting) workstation
  4. Printers
    1. Common printer features
    2. Comparing laser to inkjet to thermal to dot matrix printer types
    3. Installing and configuring printers (connections and software)
    4. Sharing printers
    5. Maintenance and troubleshooting printers
  5. Laptops and Mobile Devices
    1. Characteristics of laptops and mobile devices
    2. Laptop configuration
    3. Laptop hardware and component installation
    4. Mobile device hardware
    5. Network connectivity and email
    6. Preventative maintenance for laptops and other mobile devices
    7. Basic troubleshooting process for laptops and mobile devices.
  6. Networking Concepts
    1. Network components and types
    2. Networking protocols, standards and services
    3. Networking devices and cables
    4. Device to network connection
    5. Basic Troubleshooting process for networks
  7. Windows Installation and Configuration
    1. Modern operating systems
    2. Disk management
    3. Installation and Boot sequence
    4. Windows Desktop and File Management
    5. System Administration
    6. Command line tools
    7. Common preventative maintenance for operating systems
    8. Basic troubleshooting process for operating systems
  8. Mobile, Linux and macOS Operating Systems
    1. Mobile operation systems
    2. Methods of securing mobile devices
    3. Linux operating systems and the Command Line Interface
    4. macOS Systems
    5. Basic troubleshooting process for above operating systems
  9. Security
    1. Security threats
    2. Security procedures
    3. Securing Windows workstations
    4. Wireless security
    5. Basic troubleshooting process for security
  10. Virtualization and Cloud Computing
    1. Client side virtualization
    2. Cloud computing applications
    3. Cloud services
  11. The IT Professionals
    1. Communication skills of the IT professional
    2. Operational procedures
    3. Ethical and legal considerations
    4. Call center technicians
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Laboratory
  2. Class and group discussions
  3. Computer-based interactive curriculum
  4. Distance Education
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Lab: a) Prepare a hard drive for OS installation, and install an operating system; b) Install a CPU and a heat sink/fan assembly; c) Attach and configure a computer to an existing network.
  2. Lecture: a) Describe the process to upgrade and optimize a personal computer operating system; b) Describe the configuration process for a wireless network; c) Evaluate a faulty network configuration map and resolve the errors.
  3. Lab: a) Upgrade, troubleshoot as needed, and verify performance of a personal computer RAM upgrade; b) Configure and troubleshoot a wireless network; c) Plan, configure, and verify a network based on customer requirements.
  4. Lecture: a) Describe the major components that make up a personal computer; b) Identify startup beep codes; c) Compare and contrast desktop.
  1. Lab Activities
  2. Quizzes
  3. Homework
  4. Final Examination or Project
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. identify the fundamental principles, components, and procedures for servicing and maintaining Personal Computer Systems, as identified by the Comp-TIA A+ certification competencies;
  2. install, perform fundamental configuration tasks, and demonstrate basic troubleshooting on the hardware and software of a Personal Computer System;
  3. configure a printer to connect to a computer as well as perform basic printer service including changing toner/ink cartridges and clear the paper path of a jammed printer.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Prowse, D (2019). CompTIA® A+ 220-1001 and 220-1002 Exam Cram (2019). Pearson Certification.
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Cisco Networking Academy IT Essentials course. Students will learn the internal components of a computer, assemble a computer system, install an operating system, and troubleshoot using system tools and diagnostic software.