Lecturer: Lakshmi J Mohan

Module Information Sheet

Fall 2009

Module Details

Module Code COMP 0003

Module Title Fundamentals of Computer Hardware

Prerequisite None

Co- requisite None

A+ Certification Training Kit, Third Edition, Microsoft

Text Book corporation, PHI Publications.
A+ Certification Faster Smarter by Drew Bird and Mike
Reference Books Harwood, PHI 2003
Instructor Name Lakshmi J Mohan

Module Leader Reem Al Siyabi

Second floor Room No: 219, Ext: 302,
Contact Details Email: lakshmim@mecit.edu.om
SAT : 12 PM to 2 PM, 6 PM to 7 PM
SUN : 12 PM to 2 PM
Office Hours MON : 11 AM to 1 PM
TUE : 10 AM to 11 AM
WED : 10 AM to 12 PM

Credit Points 15

Module Description

A computer system is made up of a number of different sub-component systems

which together allow the system to perform calculations and complicated tasks.
Computer systems do vary, in size, cost and power, depending upon the task that
they are required to perform. The module will familiarize the students with the
hardware components that comprise a computer system and emphasize safe,
responsible use of them.

Module Outcomes
On completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Identify, install and work with computer accessories.

2. Describe different hardware devices and explain how they work
Configure CMOS setup and procedures for maintaining a computer system.

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Attendance Policy

Regular class attendance is expected of all students. Attendance falling below

75% will result in the students becoming ineligible to appear for the final
examination. If a student arrives late for class and the roll has been taken, it is
the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor at the end of that class
that he/she arrived late and was not absent. Students should regularly check
their college email and CIS for any notifications on their attendance.

Class Schedule

Day Sun Sun Tue

Session D
Session S Session E
Time 10-12
4-6 8-10

Room
Venue Room 022 Room 020
021

Assessment Methods

Assessment # Type Of Assessment Week Maximum

Mark
1 Close Book Test / Quiz 9 25
2 Assignment 11 10
3 Lab Exercise All week 15
4 End Semester Exam 16th and 17th 50

The course work (Internal Assessment) marks will be provisional until the
External Exam Board approves at the end of the semester.

Composition of Module Work

50% Course work

50% End semester Examination

Pass Requirements:

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You should obtain 50% overall for a Pass.

You will be eligible for a resit (if you have failed) in the End Semester
Examination only if you score 40% (20/50) in the coursework.

Grading Policy

Grade A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D F
Grade Points
4 3.7 3.3 3 2.7 2.3 2 1.7 1.5 1 0
Per Semester
91-
Marks Range 87-90 84-86 80-83 77-79 74-76 70-73 66-69 60-65 50-59 < 50
100

Make-up Test

If you miss a test due to ill health or a death in the family, you must take a
make-up test at the end of the semester by providing necessary certificates to
the concerned faculty within one week after joining back to class.

The make up test will cover the entire syllabus and there will be no choices.

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarized documents, in parts or whole, submitted by the students will be

rejected. However, if the plagiarism is found to be accidental the student may
be advised to re-submit the work only once within one week from the date of
rejection.

A penalty of 25% of the total marks on the specific coursework

assessment component will be imposed on the re-submitted work. If the re-
submitted work is also found to be plagiarized the student will be awarded a
zero mark in the respective assessment. If the work submitted is found to be
intentionally plagiarized to gain an unfair advantage in any form, such work
will be automatically rejected and a mark of zero will be awarded. If the
student is found to consistently submit plagiarized work it will be dealt with
seriously and may warrant suspension for a period or expulsion as may be
recommended by the committee set for the purpose.

Late Submission

Penalty for late submission - 5% of the maximum mark specified for the
assessment will be deducted for each working day.

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Assessment documents submitted beyond a period of one week after the last
date of submission will not be accepted and will be marked as zero for that
assessment.

Note: Must follow assignments instructions.

Policy on Cheating

Cheating includes but is not limited to any attempt to gain an unfair

advantage in an assessment (including examinations), or assisting another
student to do so. It includes: taking unauthorized materials into
examinations, copying from other candidates, collusion, impersonation,
plagiarism, and unauthorized access to unseen examination papers.
The minimum penalty for a proven case of academic dishonesty is usually a
mark of zero in that assessment, with the maximum being exclusion from the
College.

Delivery Methods

o Presentations using Audio/ Video aids to explain the concepts of the

module
o Interactive Class Lectures (Supplementary material and Text books are
provided).
o Online demonstration of all the practical components.
o Practice session in the concerned LAB (Lab Manual is provided by Lab
Instructor)

o Theory: 2 hours
o Practical: 1 hour
o Final Exam: 2 hours

Class manner and expected behavior

 The College prohibits the consumption of food products in class.

 You are responsible for any planned class activity such as a test or quiz
even if you were absent from an earlier class in which it was
announced. You must contact a fellow class member or the professor
after an absence to inquire about what has happened in your absence.

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 Only one person should be speaking at a time during a lecture,

whether that is the instructor or a fellow class member commenting or
asking a question.

 It is totally inappropriate to work on other reading or writing activities

at length while your professor is lecturing.

 If you are too tired to be in class, stay home. People who fall asleep
will be asked to leave.

 Active cell phones and pagers can not be used. If you regularly carry
one of these devices during the day, make sure you shut it off before
coming in class.

Session Plan

Weeks Module Detail

Personal Computer (PC): Computer Communication - Binary
Week 1 Language – ASCII - Computer Buses

Personal Computer (PC): Input – Processing – Output -

Week 2 Components of a Computer - Supporting Hardware.

Central Processing Unit (CPU):

Week 3 External Data Buss – CPU – Transistors - Integrated circuits

Central Processing Unit (CPU): Microprocessors – Registers

Week 4 - CPU Clock & Clock Speed – Memory - Address Bus

Central Processing Unit (CPU): PC Microprocessor

Week 5 Developments & Features., Replacing and Upgrading a CPU

Power Supplies: Overview of Power Supplies,Connecting

Week 6 Peripheral Hardware

Week 7 Power Supplies: Extenders & Splitters - Power Failures.

Memory: Nonvolatile & Volatile Memory - ROM & RAM –

Week 8 EPROM – EEPROM - Cache Memory.

Week 9 Close Book Test / Quiz

Memory: RAM Packaging, Installing memory, DIP, SIP,SIMM,

DIMM. Error detection techniques, Access speed, Cache
Week 10 Memory

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Assignment
USB,I/O Address, DMA Channel, COM & Ports, parallel, null
Week 11 modem, SCSI and Keyboard Cables.

Basic Disk Drives: Explain the operation of a hard disk drive;

Week 12 Define the different types of hard disk drives, including their
advantages and disadvantages.
Lab Exercise Submission.
Basic Disk Drives: Explain the operation of a hard disk drive;
Week 13 Define the different types of hard disk drives, including their
advantages and disadvantages.
Basic Disk Drives: Partition a hard disk drive, Troubleshoot
Week 14 hard disk drives

Week 15 Revision

NOTE: The schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the Instructor.

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