ITS310: Introduction to Computer Based Systems Credit Hours: 3

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1 ITS310: Introduction to Computer Based Systems Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: This is a 3 credit course, offered in accelerated format. This means that 16 weeks of material is covered in 8 weeks. The exact number of hours per week that you can expect to spend on each course will vary based upon the weekly coursework, as well as your study style and preferences. You should plan to spend hours per week in each course reading material, interacting on the discussion boards, writing papers, completing projects, and doing research. Faculty Information Name: Phone: CSU GC Virtual Office Hours: Course Description and Outcomes This is an introductory course on personal computers and the various elements associated with personal computing in the workplace. Students will gain a working knowledge of all elements of a personal computer as well as the various environments in which they operate. Topics covered in depth for this course include PC components, operating systems, input/output devices, networks, system security, safety, end user communication, and being an IT professional. The course provides students with detailed knowledge of the requirements for a functional system in a business environment as well as the ability to troubleshoot common PC problems. Students will gain knowledge of fundamental networking concepts and learn how to configure personal computers for network connectivity. The course also gives students a working knowledge of how to keep a PC running optimally and maintain a system. Students will learn the hardware and software requirements of operating systems per se and simulate a Windows operating system installation and update. Upon mastering the materials of this course, students will be prepared to take the CompTIA A+ Essentials examination ( ). Course Learning Outcomes: 1. Identify and explain motherboard components, types and features. 2. Compare and contrast the different Windows Operating Systems and their features. 3. Given a scenario, demonstrate proper use of user interfaces.

2 4. Given a scenario, integrate common preventative maintenance techniques. 5. Given a scenario, explain and interpret common hardware and operating system symptoms and their causes. 6. Classify power supply types and characteristics. 7. Explain the purpose and characteristics of CPUs and their features. 8. Explain the basics of boot sequences, methods, and startup. 9. Install and configure peripherals and input devices. 10. Categorize storage devices and backup media. 11. Demonstrate the process and steps to install and configure the Windows OS. 12. Given a scenario, integrate common preventative maintenance techniques. 13. Categorize network cables and connectors and demonstrate their implementations. 14. Compare and contrast the different network types. 15. Install, configure and optimize laptop components and features. 16. Given scenarios specifying printer issues, determine the best troubleshooting methods and tools. 17. Given a scenario, diagnose common hardware and operating system symptoms and identify their causes and remedies. 18. Given a scenario, diagnose common laptop issues and determine the appropriate basic troubleshooting method. 19. Identify and implement one or more security features that address viruses, malware, and other threats. 20. Explain and elaborate on basic security concepts and technologies. 21. Select applicable encryption methods to secure data and other organizational information and justify those selections. 22. Given a scenario, explain and interpret common hardware and operating system symptoms and their causes. Participation & Attendance Prompt and consistent attendance in your online courses is essential for your success at CSU Global Campus. Failure to verify your attendance within the first 7 days of this course may result in your withdrawal. If for some reason you would like to drop a course, please contact your advisor. Online classes have deadlines, assignments, and participation requirements just like on campus classes. Budget your time carefully and keep an open line of communication with your instructor. If you are having technical problems, problems with your assignments, or other problems that are impeding your progress, let your instructor know as soon as possible. Course Materials Required: LabSim Online Labs. (2012). Labsim for CompTIA's A+ Essentials: Exam Pleasant Grove, UT. Course Schedule Due Dates The Academic Week at CSU Global begins on Monday and ends the following Sunday.

3 Discussion Boards: The original post must be completed by Thursday at 12 midnight MT and Peer Responses posted by Sunday 12 midnight MT. Late posts may not be awarded points. Mastery Exercises: Students may access and retake mastery exercises through the last day of class until they achieve the scores they desire. Critical Thinking Activities: Assignments are due Sunday at 12 midnight MT. Week # Readings Assignments Sections 1.0 & 2.0 in Testout LabSim A+ Essentials ( ) Sections 3.0 & 4.0 in Testout LabSim A+ Essentials ( ) Discussion Board (25) Discussion Board (25) Section 5.0 in Testout LabSim A+ Essentials ( ) Discussion Board (25) Sections 6.0 in Testout LabSim A+ Essentials ( ) Discussion Board (25) Mastery Exercises (70) Sections 7.0 & 8.0 in Testout LabSim A+ Essentials ( ) Discussion Board (25) Section 9.0 in Testout LabSim A+ Essentials ( ) Discussion Board (25) Section 10.0 in Testout LabSim A+ Essentials ( ) Discussion Board (25) Section 11.0 in Testout LabSim A+ Essentials ( ) Discussion Board (25) Mastery Exercises (70) Portfolio Assignment (150) Assignment Details This course includes the following assignments/projects: Week 1 Critical thinking: PC Selection (75 points) You are hired as a new technician in a small firm. The organization has decided to buy some new PC s but they are not sure about what all the technical specifications mean. As the first technical employee of the organization, your job is to review the technical specifications of a business class machine at Dell.com and recommend a computer system to be used as the standard machine in this small

4 Week 2 Week 3 organization. The company is looking for you to explain what the internal and external components are and recommend an operating system. Submit a proposal, 2 3 double spaced pages in length, that explains all of these items clearly. You will need to make some assumptions about your organization, the type of company, and what their Critical Thinking: Meeting the Need (75 points) Your organization currently has Microsoft Office 2003 but would like to upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft Office. They are relying on you to get the specifications of the new software and find a system that can handle the new software. As an IT Professional, it is important to remember that in many cases non technical people request technical things and may not understand what they are asking for. After you get the system requirements, review the differences between the two software specifications and see if you think it is really worth buying the new machines. Keep in mind that this is a small organization but they anticipate growing in the future. Submit a proposal, 2 3 doublespaced pages in length, that explains all of these items clearly. Critical Thinking: Meeting the Need (75 points) Your organization started out as a small firm that kept all information in just one default folder, My Documents. This system has raised scalability issues as the company has transitioned from having only a few employees to become a large organization. The organization has a consistent need to access files and cannot afford to be without data during the business day. The organization needs you to come up with a proposal that will provide a more effective way to manage files as well as ensure functionality and access to all files during the business day. You are to submit a 2 3 page doublespaced proposal that addresses all the storage and file management needs of the organization.

5 Week 4 Critical Thinking: Expanding the Business (0 points) This critical thinking activity is due at the end of Week 5 but is provided with Module 4 so you can begin working on it this week. Your organization has just landed its largest account and has grown from five employees to 50 within a four month period. The organization has operated using stand alone machines and now requires more collaboration and working between departments. You are required to provide a solution that can connect all users in a manner that will allow them to manage and share files in a central location. These are the basic requirements, but I invite you to get creative and elaborate in your proposed solutions, keeping in mind that while the organization is growing quickly, it remains relatively small. Please provide a 2 3 page double spaced proposal for the CEO providing a solution to these issues. Week 5 Critical Thinking: Expanding the Business (75 points) Your organization has just landed its largest account and has grown from five employees to 50 within a four month period. The organization has operated using stand alone machines and now requires more collaboration among departments. You are required to provide a solution that can connect all users in a manner that will allow them to manage and share files in a central location. These are the basic requirements, but I invite you to get creative and elaborate in your proposed solutions, keeping in mind that while the organization is growing quickly, it remains relatively small. Please provide a 2 3 page double spaced proposal for the CEO providing a solution to these issues.

6 Week 6 Critical Thinking: Threats (75 points) Now that your organization has transitioned from standalone systems to network based systems, the organization is more vulnerable to attacks that can damage systems and company data. You must prevent attacks on your systems. Write a 2 3 double spaced page proposal to management explaining the most common internal and external threats that the organization s systems can be exposed to. Your paper should include a software solution that can help eliminate these potential problems. Note: You must conduct Internet research and cite your sources to find and compare products before selecting a solution. Week 7 Critical Thinking: Maintaining your System (75 points) Now that you have selected, secured, and properly laid out a system structure for your growing organization, you must keep it running in optimal condition. Applying the proper updates and reviewing important log information are critical components to ensuring that your equipment lasts as long as intended. You are required to create a plan that will keep your organization s systems up to date and functional. You are to include plans for updates, patches, and review/retention of logs. You are encouraged to use the Internet to review best practices and industry standards for maintaining a system. Your proposal should be 2 3 double spaced pages in length.

7 Week 8 Portfolio Assignment (150 points) The Portfolio Project requires students to collect and consolidate all of the proposals they wrote for Modules 1 7 as Critical Thinking Activities, revise and correct each in accordance with feedback provided by the instructor, and submit as a comprehensive and secure solution that addresses the following elements. Introduction/overview Table of Contents PC selection, complete with highlighted important components; Module 1 and 2 File Storage: Module 3 Networking recommendations: Module 4 Network Security: Module 6 System Maintenance: Module 7 Conclusion APA References Any appendices you feel appropriate Preface the document with a 3 4 page statement that summarizes and explains the purposes of the proposals. For project details, see the Portfolio Project Description, which can be accessed from the Week 8 Assignments page. Course Policies Late Work Students are permitted a 7 day grace period during which they may submit a Critical Thinking assignment after the original due date without penalty. Papers submitted between 8 and 14 days after the original due date will be accepted with a potential 10 percent reduction in grade for late submission. Papers submitted 15 or more days beyond the original due date may not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. No Portfolios will be accepted late and no assignments will be accepted after the last day of class unless a student has requested an incomplete grade in accordance with the Incomplete Policy. Course Grading 20% Discussion Participation 10% Mastery Exercises 35% Critical Thinking Activities 35% Final Portfolio Paper Grading Scale and Policies A A B B B C C D F 59.9 or below

8 FN* I** Failure for Nonparticipation Incomplete * Students who stop attending class and fail the course for nonparticipation will be issued the FN grade. The FN grade may have implications for financial aid and scholarship awards. ** An I grade may be assigned at the Instructor s discretion to students who are in good standing (passing) in the course. Students should have completed a majority of the coursework in order to be eligible for the I grade. Students should request an "I" grade from the Instructor with a written justification, which must include explanation of extenuating circumstances that prevented timely completion of the coursework. If the request is approved, the Instructor will require a written agreement consisting of a) the specific coursework to be completed, b) the plan to complete the coursework, and c) the deadline for completion. The agreement will be kept on file at CSU Global Campus. An incomplete course must be satisfactorily completed within the time frame stipulated in the agreement, but no later than the end of the following semester from the date the I was given. An incomplete not removed within one year shall convert to an F and be included in the computation of the student s grade point average. Academic Integrity Students must assume responsibility for maintaining honesty in all work submitted for credit and in any other work designated by the instructor of the course. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized possession of academic materials, and falsification. The Student Handbook provides information on how students can avoid plagiarism by understanding what it is and how to use library and internet resources appropriately with proper citation. Please refer to the Academic Catalog for complete policies regarding plagiarism and academic dishonesty. APA Students are expected to follow the CSU Global APA requirements when citing in APA (based on the APA Style Manual, 6th edition). For details on CSU Global APA style, please review the APA resources located under the Library tab in Blackboard. Netiquette All posts and classroom communication must be conducted in a professional and respectful manner in accordance with the student code of conduct. Think before you push the Send button. Did you say just what you meant? How will the person on the other end read the words? Any derogatory or inappropriate comments regarding race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, are unacceptable and subject to disciplinary action. If you have concerns about something that has been said, please let your instructor know. Institutional Policies Refer to the Academic Catalog for comprehensive documentation of CSU GC institutional policies.