Franske ITC-2000 Syllabus

Information Technology & Careers

PC Hardware and Software (A+) ITC-2000 - 3 credits Instructor: Dr. Ben Franske Term: Spring 2022 (1/11/2022 - 5/10/2022) Meetings: T 12:00pm-2:00pm Location: B107

Important information: This syllabus is a dynamic web document which pulls information from a variety of current templates to provide the most up-to-date and accurate information about the course. The information on this page will not reflect the syllabus at the beginning or end of a specific term, but rather, the most current information. For more information see the dynamic syllabi page.

Instructor Contact Information

E-mail:

• ben@ihitc.net (when emailing please include your course number, section number and full name)

Text Messaging/Chat:

• Find me on Microsoft Teams, it's available as a Website, Desktop application, Android, and IOS application. To make the best use of it you are encouraged to have it installed on your computer as well as a smartphone.
  • Access Instructions: Get instructions for installing the latest Office 365 apps on your computer which includes Teams and/or sign on to the Teams web app at office.com with <YourStarID>@go.minnstate.edu and/or sign in to the Microsoft Teams mobile app with <YourStarID>@go.minnstate.edu

Office and Hours:

• Online office hours (email during these times and we can setup a Zoom or phone call right away): Weds 11:00am-1:00pm, 2:30-4:00pm
• On campus office hours and lab assistance time (subject to change to online based on COVID-19 recommendations) look for me in the Business Building room B120 or B143: Tues 2:00-4:30pm
• Webcam/phone/in-person meetings also available other times by appointment.

Phone:

• Office: 651-450-3575 (leave a message with details and I will get back to you)

General Course Information

Prerequisite(s)

Placement into ENG 1108 or completion of both ENG 0099 and READ 0093/0094 with a grade of C or higher.

Course Description

Presents an in-depth exposure to computer hardware and operating systems. Students learn the functionality of hardware and software components as well as suggested best practices in maintenance and safety issues. Students learn how to assemble and configure a computer, install operating systems and software, and troubleshoot hardware and software problems. This course helps students prepare for CompTIA's A+ certification exam, which covers the knowledge and skills essential for becoming a successful computer technician.

Required

• External USB Drive, 8GB minimum, flash drive or hard drive which can be completely erased for use in this class
• Phillips Screwdriver, two sizes, #1 and #2
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Anti-Static Wrist Strap

Optional

• IT Essentials Course Booklet, Version 7 ISBN: 978-0135612163
• IT Essentials: Companion Guide v7 ISBN: 978-0135645376
• A+ Guide to IT Technical Support (Hardware and Software) 10th Edition ISBN: 978-0357108291
• CompTIA A+ 220-1001 and 220-1002 Exam Cram (2nd Edition) ISBN: 978-0789760579
• CompTIA A+ Complete Practice Tests: Exam Core 1 220-1001 and Exam Core 2 220-1002 ISBN: 978-1119516972

Additional Information

• Accidental Empires: How the Boys of Silicon Valley Make Their Millions, Battle Foreign Competition, and Still Can't Get a Date (Cringely) ISBN: 978-0887308550
• Revolution in the Valley: The Insanely Great Story of How the Mac Was Made (Hertzfeld) ISBN: 978-0596007195

Course Website(s)

• ITCwiki (http://wiki.ihitc.net)
• Cisco Networking Academy (http://www.netacad.com)
  • NOTE: It is important that you keep an accurate email address on file with the Cisco Networking Academy site and/or regularly sign on to the site to check your Networking Academy Inbox. Important and time-sensitive course information may be distributed through the Networking Academy messaging system. If you have an accurate email address you can receive the information by email as well.

Lab Hours

In addition to regularly scheduled class time a lab will be available for your use during during office hours on a first come, first served basis. Open lab time may also be available under the supervision of the lab assistant, see the Open Lab Schedule wiki page for more information. Students who do not show up for lab hours they have scheduled may be restricted from registering for lab hours in the future.

Course Outcomes

The student will be able to:

• Explain motherboard components, types and features
• Explain the process and steps to install and configure the Windows OS
• Given a scenario, demonstrate proper use of user interfaces
• Given a scenario, demonstrate the appropriate use of communication skills and professionalism in the workplace
• Given a scenario, determine the troubleshooting methods and tools for printers
• Explain the basic principles of security concepts and technologies
• Categorize network cables and connectors and their implementations
• Classify power supplies types and characteristics
• Compare and contrast memory types, characteristics and their purpose
• Compare and contrast the different Windows Operating Systems and their features
• Compare and contrast the different network types
• Distinguish between the different display devices and their characteristics
• Explain cooling methods and devices
• Explain the purpose and characteristics of CPUs and their features
• Given a scenario, explain and interpret common hardware and operating system symptoms and their causes
• Given a scenario, explain and interpret common laptop issues and determine the appropriate basic troubleshooting method
• Given a scenario, explain the troubleshooting theory
• Given a scenario, install, configure and maintain
• Given a scenario, integrate common preventative maintenance techniques
• Install and configure peripherals and input devices
• Install and configure printers
• Install, configure and optimize laptop components and features
• Outline the purpose of appropriate safety and environmental procedures and given a scenario apply them
• Summarize the basics of networking fundamentals, including technologies, devices and

protocols

• Summarize the following security features
• Summarize the function and types of adapter cards

Assignments and Grading

Grades will be determined by performance on unit multiple-choice tests, lab exercises, participation, and a final exam. A description of assignments is available from the course website. It is expected that assignments will be completed and turned in on time and as specified.

Failure to turn in one or more assignments without approval from the instructor may result in an additional lack of participation penalty of up to 20% of your course grade depending on the type of the assignment.

Late Assignments, Extensions, and Retakes

If assignments are turned in late 10% will be deducted for each day or partial day the assignment is late. If you are turning in an assignment late you must contact the instructor for information before the due date. Failure to do so may result in additional penalties. The grading of late assignments is given a lower priority and may take longer so students are encouraged to plan ahead and turn in assignments on time. Deadline extensions will not be given without written documentation from a licensed medical practitioner or other extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the instructor.

If you miss or do poorly on a regular unit/module/chapter exam (not a final exam or skills final exam) you may petition the instructor to retake the exam once. You will need to write a 400-500 word summary of the unit/module/chapter which is covered by the exam. This summary must be written by you personally, the use of any automatic summarization tools or summaries by others will be considered cheating on the exam and is subject to the academic integrity policies covered elsewhere. Your summary must also be written to the satisfaction of the instructor. Retakes or make-ups must be completed by the date specified by the instructor. There is generally no additional late penalty for an exam retake other than needing to write and submit the summary.

Grading Scale

A

100-90%

B

89-80%

C

79-70%

D

69-65%

F

< 64%

A = achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements.

B = achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements.

C = achievement that meets the course requirements in every respect.

D = achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course requirements.

F (or N) = Represents failure (or no credit) and signifies that the work was either (1) completed but at a level of achievement that is not worthy of credit or (2) was not completed and there was no agreement between the instructor and the student that the student would be awarded an I (see also I).

I = (Incomplete) Assigned at the discretion of the instructor when, due to extraordinary circumstances, e.g., hospitalization, a student is prevented from completing the work of the course on time. Requires a written agreement between instructor and student.

Grading Method and Availability

Grades for this course are calculated based on a weighted points system. Each assignment, quiz or test is assigned to one of the weighted categories below and is graded on a points system. Your percentage is calculated for each category by dividing the points earned in that category by the points available. Finally, your percentage earned in each category is multiplied by the weight of that category and these are added together. The instructor may round up based on student participation and individual improvement.

Chapter Assessments	22%
Lab/Homework Assignments	33%
Written Final Exam	15%
Skills Based Final Exam	15%
Participation Activities	15%

Mid-Term grades are not officially distributed but assignment scores are made available in the online grade book and you may calculate your current course grade at any time using the above instructions and weighting.

Extra Credit

Students should not rely on extra credit to boost their grade and should instead complete each assignment to the best of their ability. However, from time to time extra credit opportunities may arise at which time they will be announced in class, by email and/or through the course website. Extra credit will be added to the Chapter Homework Assignments category.

Special Note on Exam Cheating

It is unacceptable to look for or find copies of exams, exam questions, or scenarios online and use them to complete your exam. Answering a question or scenario incorrectly based on the exam you are taking but in a way that was indicated as correct on a version of the exam which was found online will be seen as evidence of intentional cheating. You will receive a penalty and it will be reported as indicated in the Academic Integrity (Plagiarism and Cheating) policies section below.

In plain English... I know some copies of exams for this course circulate online. I look at these and may modify the exam you are given so that a different answer is correct for what looks to be a similar question. You may call these "trick questions" but in this case they are only a trick question if you have seen a stolen copy of an old exam. If you answer one or more of these as shown on the stolen exam this will be evidence of cheating and you will be punished according to Academic Integrity (Plagiarism and Cheating) policies. Do not cheat, do not look for or use stolen exams.

See the Academic Integrity (Plagiarism and Cheating) section below for additional information on cheating policies.

Special Note on Lab Cheating

Many of the lab activities in this course are designed to use physical lab equipment at IHCC or virtual machines run on the IHCC Netlab remote lab system. Unless specific permission is given by the instructor this means you must use the IHCC lab equipment on campus or the IHCC Netlab remote lab system. Any evidence that you have turned in a lab report for a lab which you have not completed with the IHCC lab equipment or Netlab system as appropriate will be treated as cheating. You may never ask anyone else to complete an activity for you or turn in an activity completed by someone else, this will be treated as cheating.

See the Academic Integrity (Plagiarism and Cheating) section below for additional information on cheating policies.

Course and Campus Policies

Attendance

After the first class meeting formal attendance will not be taken; however, students are expected to arrive to class on time and participate in class. Students are expected to attend all sessions of each class in which they are enrolled. If attendance is a problem participation assignments may be given and included in the course grade. If an illness or emergency results in an absence, students should contact their instructors as soon as possible to determine if missed work can be completed. A student may receive a course grade of FN or NC after two consecutive weeks of unexcused absence at any time during the semester. Class attendance is defined as being physically present in the classroom. Online attendance is defined as having submitted an assignment, taken a quiz, or posted/made a course content-related comment on the discussion/chat board for the course in which the student is registered.

Use and Access to Technology

You will need daily access to a high-speed internet connection (DSL, cable modem, 4G, fiber, or equivalent) and a modern computer to successfully complete this course.

Academic Integrity (Plagiarism and Cheating)

Academic integrity is one of the most important values in higher education. This principle requires that each student's work represents his or her own personal efforts and that the student acknowledges the intellectual contributions of others. The foundation for this principle is student academic honesty. IHCC students are expected to honor the requirements of the College Academic Integrity Policy. The following are some examples of unacceptable academic practices that will be viewed as policy violations.

It is unacceptable to submit the work of another person as your own. If you quote, summarize, paraphrase, or use the ideas of another, you must accurately attribute that information. If you do not acknowledge the source, you are plagiarizing. Academic dishonesty also includes unauthorized collaboration on academic work; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty permission; submitting the same assignment for multiple classes without instructor permission; taking an examination for another person and many other situations. If you are unsure whether you are plagiarizing or how to cite a source please ask an instructor or staff member for help prior to turning in the assignment.

In this course, the first offense of plagiarism and/or cheating will result in a score of zero on the assignment, quiz or test and reporting of the incident to college administration. Further plagiarism and/or cheating may result in immediate failure of the course and additional consequences determined by college administration.

If you have cheated in other ITC courses that will count as your first offense. In other words, if you have cheated in ITC courses before cheating in this course may result in immediately failing the course and additional consequences determined by college administration.

All instances of cheating will be reported to the college administration. In addition, plagiarism and cheating are covered by the Student Code of Conduct. Please see the Catalog or IHCC website for details.

Withdrawing from the Course

Students must initiate requests for withdrawal from a course by filing the appropriate form with Enrollment Services. Students who stop attending classes without completing the withdrawal process may receive a grade of “F,” and are responsible for all tuition/fees associated with the course registration. The last day to withdraw from your course will be the date on which 80% of the course has elapsed. The last day to withdraw for each course can be viewed in E-Services by searching for the course at the following link: https://webproc.mnscu.edu/registration/search/basic.html?campusid=157. Click on the course title to view additional details about the course, including last day to withdraw.

Last Date to Withdraw and Receive a Refund

Please see the Add, Drop and Withdraw page on the IHCC website: https://inverhills.edu/Registration/AddDropWithdraw.aspx

E-mail Communications

Recognizing the value and efficiency of communication between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail Inver Hills Community College has designated e-mail as an official mode of communication. At the same time, email raises some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. Therefore, students are asked to regularly check and utilize the email address they have registered with the college. If your email address has changed it is your responsibility to make sure the college has an up-to date email address where you can be contacted. You should check your email on a regular basis as course changes and communications may be sent by email.

Pass/Fail Grade Option

A student may elect to take a course on a pass/fail (P/F) grading basis by contacting the instructor within the first 5 business days of the semester, or within 1 business day of the start date for a course beginning after the first week of the semester. If the instructor approves, they will submit approval to the Enrollment Center. Not all courses are approved for students to elect the P/F grading method and there may be limits to the total number of classes which can be taken pass/fail in your degree or certificate program. Contact your instructor for details about what level of achievement in the course will be required to receive a pass in the course.

Access and Accommodations

Inver Hills values diversity and inclusion; we are committed to fostering mutual respect and full participation for all students. My goal is to create a learning environment that is equitable, inclusive and welcoming. If any aspects of instruction or course design result in barriers to your inclusion or learning, please notify me. The Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) provides reasonable accommodations and assistive technologies for students who encounter barriers in the learning environment. Services are available to students with a wide range of disabilities including, but not limited to, physical disabilities, medical conditions, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, depression, and anxiety. If you have already registered with OAR and have your Letter of Accommodation, please meet with me early in the course to discuss, plan, and implement your accommodations in the course. For additional information, please contact OAR located within the Learning Center (L207), 651-450-3884, accessibilityresources@inverhills.edu or https://www.inverhills.edu/LearningSupport/AccessibilityResources/index.aspx

Religious Accommodation Statement

In accordance with federal and state laws, Inver Hills Community College is committed to a policy of free expression and respect for the diversity of beliefs, including religious observances, among our academic community. It is the policy of the college to provide reasonable accommodations for students when religious beliefs and/or observances conflict with classroom activities or course requirements.

It is the responsibility of students to notify instructors of the need for accommodation at the beginning of the course or as soon as a situation arises. If a mutually agreed accommodation is not made, a student may initiate a complaint. The procedure for filing a complaint is described in the Catalog and on the Inver Hills website. The complaint must be filed within 15 days of a denied accommodation request.

Updates to this Syllabus

The instructor reserves the right to modify and adjust this syllabus as needed during the course of this class. The most up to date version will always be available on the course website or from the instructor.