CTS 220: ADVANCED HARDWARE/SOFTWARE SUPPORT (2-3-3)

Instructor: Jonathan Davis

Fall 2010

Voicemail: 704-484-4158 Class Time: Tuesday 8:00-10:45am

E-mail: davisj@clevelandcommunitycollege.edu Section: HY01
Office Location: Room 3204I
Office Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays 10:15-11:15am & Thursdays 5:00-8:00pm

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides advanced knowledge in competencies in hardware and operating system
technologies for computer technicians to support personal computers. Emphasis is placed on: configuring
and upgrading; diagnosis and troubleshooting; as well as preventive maintenance of hardware and system
software. Upon completion, students should be able to install, configure, diagnose, perform preventive
maintenance, and maintain basic networking on personal computers.
Course Prerequisites – CTS 120

II. REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS

Textbook – There is no textbook required for this course.
Supplies – PC Toolkit and Power Supply Tester

III. COURSE GOALS/OBJECTIVES

A. Know how to install, configure, troubleshoot, maintain and optimize hardware and software.
B. Know how to setup a basic computer network
C. Know how to diagnose computer problems based on clients’ description of the symptoms.
D. Know how to match hardware with hardware and software with software to minimize compatibility
issues.

IV. METHODS OF INSTRUCTIONS

A. Lectures
B. Group discussion
C. Examples by slides with discussion
D. Video presentations
E. Objective and discussion tests
F. Individual and group lab exercises

LEARNING ACTIVITIES
A. Troubleshoot PCs from students, faculty and staff.
B. Apply operating system concepts through hands-on activities.
C. Complete textbook and lab assignments.

V. CRITICAL/ANALYTICAL THINKING SKILLS

A. Apply operating system concepts through group discussions involving case scenarios.
B. Customize and configure system resources based on individual or corporate needs.
VI. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

A. Explain the major functions of a computer operating system and its hardware.
B. Explain the difference between system software and application software.
C. Successfully install major operating systems: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Vista and Linux.
D. Navigate comfortably between files and folders on any and all secondary storage devices (i.e. 3 ½
disks, hard drives, network storage devices, etc.).
E. Use system maintenance resources to optimize computer performance.
F. List similarities and differences between operating systems.
G. Successfully install and operate any given piece of computer hardware.
H. Understand hardware specifications and the effect on computer performance.

VII. STUDENT REQUIREMENTS

A. Purchase the textbook. The illustrations and information within will be constantly referred to during
class.
B. Attend class on time (Absentee policy will be enforced).
C. Complete all outside papers and outside assignments.
D. Login to Blackboard on a regular basis to complete online assignments (3-5 times per week)

VIII. EVALUATION
Your final grade will be determined as follows:

Lab Assignments 50%

Skill Assessments 30%
Dream PC Project 10%
Blackboard participation/discussion forum/activities 10%

IX. ATTENDANCE POLICY

As stated in the Student Handbook, absences are not to exceed 20% of the class hours for a 5-hour, 16-
week class. That means that you cannot miss more than four (3) class sessions. If you have exceeded
20% absences of the class sessions, it is your responsibility to communicate with me regarding the reason
to get permission to continue the class. If you exceed 20% absences for the course (without
communicating with me), it is YOUR responsibility to officially withdraw from the course by filling out
the proper form in Student Services. Failure to submit the proper withdrawal form will result in the
grade of “F” at the end of the semester.

Make Up Policy
Due to the nature of the course, it is the policy of the instructor not to accept late assignments. Please
communicate with me prior to an extenuating circumstance for make-up instructions. I will handle these
circumstances on an individual basis.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

In case of inclement weather please check the College website. In addition local media will be
given information concerning closing or delays. Assignments will be posted to Blackboard.
• TV Stations: WSOC, WBTV, NBC6, News 14 Carolina and Cleveland Headline News
• Radio Stations: WOHS AM 730, WADA
• Phone: 704-484-4000
X. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY

Cleveland Community College expects students to practice academic honesty at all times.

Academic dishonesty refers to cheating on tests, examinations, projects, and other assigned work.

Plagiarism, a very serious form of academic dishonesty, is work that has been written by someone other
than the student submitting the work or work obtained from an undocumented or improperly documented
resource. Students are responsible for documenting both direct quotations and paraphrased material.
Direct quotations must appear within quotation marks and must be documented. Paraphrased material
(written in the student’s own words but taken from another source) must also be documented completely
and accurately.

XI. GRADING SCALE

A 90-100
B 80-89.9
C 70-79.9
D 60-69.9
F Below 60

XII. IMPORTANT DATES

August 16 Monday Classes Begin
September 6 Monday Labor Day (No Classes)
October 4-7 Monday-Thursday Fall Break (No Classes)
November 25-27 Thursday-Saturday Thanksgiving (No Classes)
December 14 Tuesday Fall Classes End (Thursday Make-up)
November 12 Friday Last Day to Withdraw from Course
November 12 Friday Last Day to Change from Credit to Audit