CNIT 103:
Computer Hardware

Course Information for Spring 2024

Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

1. Identify the major hardware components, their functions, and their characteristics.
2. Describe proper installation, configuration, and maintenance of the major hardware components.
3. Analyze and resolve system faults using logical troubleshooting procedures.
4. Plan and design customized computer systems based on need assessment.
5. Explain proper handling of components and personal safety procedures.

Instructor Information

By appointment via ConferZoom

Course Requirements

Covers CNIT 103 & CNIT 104 with 1 textbook:

CompTIA A+ Guide to IT Technical Support, 11th Edition, 2023, Jean Andrews, Joy Dark Shelton, Nicholas Pierce, Cengage Learning. ISBN: 9780357674161 (hardcopy textbook) or 9780357674604 (e-book).

This course does NOT use MindTap. You only need the 11th edition hardcopy textbook or e-book.

The above 11th edtion textbook is required. Students who wait 3 or 4 weeks to obtain a textbook or never obtain a textbook have a very difficult time succeeding in this course. For those on a tight budget purchase online through cengage.com, which has several short-term rental options. If other classes that you are taking use Cengage textbooks, then you might take a look at Cengage Unlimited access options.

Note: The CNIT department uses the 11th edition of Jean Andrews textbook, which covers the 1101 (Core 1) and 1102 (Core 2) CompTIA A+ certification objectives. Purchasing an earlier edition would be a big mistake, since the earlier edition is different and was written about 6 years ago, and the chapters do not match.

1. Chrome - fully supported by Canvas, although other browsers can be used
2. Microsoft Word or Notepad for writing brief reports and MS Excel
3. Image manipulation software such as IrfanView (freeware) or MS Paint

Class attendance is required. In an online class this means logging into the class as well as engaging academically in course activities such as quizzes, discussion forums, and assignments. You are required to log into the class at least once per week, although 3 or 4 times per week is recommended. Your instructor reserves the right to drop any student who does not log in AND engage academically in course activities for more than 2 1/2 weeks. Although your instructor reserves the right to drop any student for lack of attendance, students should not depend on your instructor to do so. It is the student's responsibility to complete the online form in myRAM Portal that is needed to drop or withdraw from this class. If you simply stop attending class, the student will probably receive a failing grade for the course.

Take time to learn how your financial aid works: If your instructor withdraws the student due to lack of attendance based on the above policy and it is after the standard drop with full refund period, then the student most likely will be financially liable to pay for the entire cost of the course. A student needs to be sure that he/she will be able to actively engage in the class on a regular basis from the start of the semester all the way through to the very last day. If the student can not make this semester long committment, then the student should make sure he/she drops the course prior to the deadline to receive a full refund.

Please be aware of the the information on the list of Important Dates including the last day to drop classes with a full refund.

Grading

A = 90% +
B = 80% - 89%
C = 70% - 79%
D = 60% - 69%
F = 59% or below

Homework makes up 42% of your final grade and is due on Tuesdays by 10 p.m. Please see the Schedule for homework assignment due dates.

Late Homework: Homework may be accepted up to 1 week late but with a 10% penalty. I will allow only two late homework assignments from each student.

Participation makes up 8% of your final grade. Participation points are based on posting or replying to the appropriate chapter Discussions on a weekly basis. You are required to participate in 8 of the 12 Discussions covering the weekly textbook chapters and Appendix A. Only discussions posted by the assigned weekly due date will earn points. Maximum participation points = 30.

There will be 4 short chapter quizzes which make up 16.7% of your grade. Please refer to the Schedule for quiz dates and material covered. The quizzes will be multiple choice, true-false, and fill-in-the-blank. You get 2 attempts at each quiz. The highest score counts.

The Mid-Term Exam is worth 16.7% of your grade and covers chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 + Appendix A and any material covered during the first half of the course. The mid-term exam will be multiple choice, true-false, and fill-in-the-blank. The mid-term exam must be taken during the scheduled week - Wednesday, March 20 - SATURDAY, March 23 by 10 p.m. PST - no exceptions. There is no make-up mid-term exam. Please mark your calendar.

The Final Exam is worth 16.7% of your grade and is comprehensive. The final exam will be multiple choice, true-false, and fill-in-the-blank. The final exam must be taken during the scheduled week - Wednesday, May 15 - SATURDAY, May 18 by 10 p.m. PST - no exceptions. There is no make-up final exam. Please mark your calendar.

You are responsible for knowing these dates and completing your mid-term and final exam by the due date. Do not wait until the last minute to take your online exams. If you run into technical or other difficulties at the last minute, you will still be responsible for completing your exams by the due date.

Academic Accommodation