COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course prepares students to troubleshoot and repair computer systems and their peripherals. This goal is achieved through a three-par effort which includes: 1) solid theory presentation, 2) hands-on operation and exploration in lab experiments, and 3) troubleshooting application in lab procedures. It also prepares the student to pass the CompTIA A cerification exam.  (CST2512 or equivalent) (3 Credits) (1 Lecture, 2 Lab, 0 On the Job Training.)

TEXT AND REFERENCES
1. Optional - Cisco Networking Academy Program IT Essentials I: PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide , ISBN 1-58713-136-6 , Cisco Press, August 2, 2004. The above text is available as reference. We will primarily be using the free online curriculum that can be accessed from http://cisco.netacad.net. Student will be provided a login name and password by the instructor to access this site.

2. Optional - Cisco Networking Academy Program IT Essentials I: PC Hardware and Software Lab Companion, ISBN 1-58713-138-2 , Cisco Press, June 2, 2004.

4. Computer system with Windows 2000 Pro or XP Pro. (School or Student supplied equipment)
5. Course Instructional Guide (Online)

COURSE EXPECTATIONS
See this link for additional course expectations.

COURSE EVALUATION
Student objectives and evaluations are translated to a percentage and the percentages to grades. A score of 70% is passing. The following percentage distribution guarantees the following grade: A:93%+, A-:90%+, B+:87%+, B:83%+, B-:80%+, C+:77%+, C:73%+, C-:70%+, NC:<70%.

Labs: 1.5.9, 2.3.6, 2.4.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4, 5.1.7, 5.5.5, 5.6.1, 6.2.1a, 6.2.1b, 6.4.3, 7.3.2, 7.5.2, 7.5.3a, 10.3.1, 10.7.2, 12.1.2, 13.1.7,14.7.4, 14.10.3, Final Skills Based Troubleshooting lab.

Worksheets: 1.5.9, 2.3.2, 4.1.3, 4.2.3, 5.6.6, 8.4.7, 9.1.4, 10.4.2, 10.6.5, 11.6.1, 12.2.1, 13.1.2, 13.3.4, 14.4.5

Note: All other labs and worksheets can be done by the student to enforce learning, but do not need to be turned in for credit. Those labs and worksheets will help greatly in preparing the student for the final test, lab and CompTIA certification exams.

REQUIREMENTS
This course is lecture/lab based. The CST Staff will deliver the lectures, as well as supervise the lab. The student is expected to spend at least 48 hours per credit in self study with direction from instructors and/or instructional guides and testing.  This a three (3) credit course, so an average student is expected to spend approximately 144 hours completing this course, which includes lectures and lab. All lectures will be scheduled, with that schedule posted online.

PARTICIPATION/TEAMWORK/CONDUCT
Your success in this course will be strongly influenced by your participation, conduct and ability to work as a team player.  In industry these are referred to as soft skills and possession of them is critical to your success. You are responsible for attendance. More than 2 unexcused absences can result in your failing the class. Punctuality is mandatory. Missed lecture and lab material may be obtained from your fellow students.

As this is largely a lab environment, safety and appropriate behavior will be stressed. Behavior deemed disruptive to the class may be cause for dismissal under the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct.

We will be sharing this classroom with other classes. It is imperative that we leave this room ready for the next class. That includes a functional computer and a tidy workspace.

COURSE GOALS
The following course goals will be addressed in the course:

• Build, configure, upgrade, and maintain a personal computer system.
• Diagnose and resolve problems of a personal computer system.
• Install and configure various computer peripheral devices.
• Install and configure printers as well as diagnose and resolve problems related to printers and printing.
• Set up, configure, and maintain a local-area network. • Resolve network connectivity problems on a local-area network using a systematic troubleshooting approach.
• Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain Microsoft Windows operating systems.
• Diagnose and resolve problems using Microsoft Windows system tools.
• Understand the specialized functions of the network server and the conditions required for a secure network server room.
• Use relevant workplace safety and environmental standards during computer maintenance.
• Effectively use a customer-oriented approach to resolve user problems.
• Provide computer hardware and software support based on a set of standard and systematic diagnostic principles.