Course prefix and number: ITSM 1213
Course Title: IT Systems and Hardware
Room Location: D122, Workforce Development Center
In-Person Class Days/Times: T/TH 6-9pm (8 wks)
Credit hours: 3 Credits
Lecture hours: 2
Clinical/Lab hours: 2
Semester:
Fall 2025
Catalog description
This course, the first in a two-course series, provides the computer hardware and software skills needed to help meet the growing demand for entry-level information technology professionals. The fundamentals of computer architecture including operating systems, central processing unit (CPU), RAM, storage, basic input/output systems, and software and peripherals will be introduced as well as relevant responsibilities of an IT professional. Basics of hardware, software and network troubleshooting skills will also be covered. This course prepares students for the CompTIA® A+ Core 1 exam. Operational knowledge of PCs, software and Internet technologies is strongly recommended before enrollment.
This course, the first in a two-course series, provides the computer hardware and software skills needed to help meet the growing demand for entry-level information technology professionals. The fundamentals of computer architecture including operating systems, central processing unit (CPU), RAM, storage, basic input/output systems, and software and peripherals will be introduced as well as relevant responsibilities of an IT professional. Basics of hardware, software and network troubleshooting skills will also be covered. This course prepares students for the CompTIA® A+ Core 1 (1101) exam. Operational knowledge of PCs, software and Internet technologies is strongly recommended before enrollment.
Operational knowledge of PCs, software and Internet technologies strongly recommended
Course Outcomes
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain cable types and connectors.
- Install and configure motherboards.
- Install and configure power supplies, cooling, storage devices, memory and CPUs.
- Configure PC BIOS/UEFI.
- Configure power, disk, system and display issues.
- Apply troubleshooting methodology.
- Configure wired and wireless network types and hardware.
- Configure Network Addressing and Internet Connections.
- Troubleshoot networks and services.
- Explain client-side virtualization and cloud.
- Install, configure and troubleshoot mobile devices and peripherals.
- Install, configure and troubleshoot printers and multifunction devices.
Topical Outline
- Installing Motherboards and Connectors
- Install, configure, and troubleshoot PC motherboards, system components, and peripheral devices.
- Compare networking hardware types and configure local addressing and Internet connections.
- Summarize uses for network services, virtualization, and cloud computing.
- Support the use of mobile devices and print devices.
- Installing System Devices
- Install and configure power supplies and cooling.
- Select and install storage devices.
- Install and configure system memory.
- Install and configure CPUs.
- Troubleshooting PC Hardware
- Apply troubleshooting methodology.
- Configure BIOS/UEFI.
- Troubleshoot power and disk issues.
- Troubleshoot system and display issues.
- Comparing Local Networking Hardware
- Compare network types.
- Compare networking hardware.
- Explain network cable types.
- Compare wireless networking types.
- Configuring Network Addressing and Internet Connections
- Compare Internet connection types.
- Use basic TCP/IP concepts.
- Compare protocols and ports.
- Compare network configuration concepts.
- Supporting Network Services
- Summarize services provided by networked hosts.
- Compare Internet and embedded appliances.
- Troubleshoot networks.
- Summarizing Virtualization and Cloud Concepts
- Summarize client-side virtualization.
- Summarize cloud concepts.
- Supporting Mobile Devices
- Set up mobile devices and peripherals.
- Configure mobile device apps.
- Install and configure laptop hardware.
- Troubleshoot mobile device issues.
- Supporting Print Devices
- Deploy printer and multifunction devices.
- Replace print device consumables.
- Troubleshoot print device issues.
- Implementing Operational Procedures
- Implement best practice documentation.
- Use proper communication techniques.
- Use common safety and environmental procedures.
Faculty Contact Information
Faculty Contact Information
Courtney Stewart
Adjunct Professor
815-295-6605
cstewart@kcc.edu
Paul Carlson
Dean - Business, Technology & Human Services
815-802-8858
pcarlson@kcc.edu
Division Office
W102
815-802-8850
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain cable types and connectors.
- Install and configure motherboards.
- Install and configure power supplies, cooling, storage devices , memory and CPUs.
- Configure PC BIOS/UEFI.
- Configure power, disk, system and display issues.
- Apply troubleshooting methodology.
- Configure wired and wireless network types and hardware.
- Configure Network Addressing and Internet Connections.
- Troubleshoot networks and services.
- Explain client-side virtualization and cloud.
- Install, configure and troubleshoot mobile devices and peripherals.
- Install, configure and troubleshoot printers and multifunction devices.
- Installing Motherboards and Connectors
- Install, configure, and troubleshoot PC motherboards, system components, and peripheral devices.
- Compare networking hardware types and configure local addressing and Internet connections.
- Summarize uses for network services, virtualization, and cloud computing.
- Support the use of mobile devices and print devices.
- Installing System Devices
- Install and configure power supplies and cooling.
- Select and install storage devices.
- Install and configure system memory.
- Install and configure CPUs.
- Troubleshooting PC Hardware
- Apply troubleshooting methodology.
- Configure BIOS/UEFI.
- Troubleshoot power and disk issues.
- Troubleshoot system and display issues.
- Comparing Local Networking Hardware
- Compare network types.
- Compare networking hardware.
- Explain network cable types.
- Compare wireless networking types.
- Configuring Network Addressing and Internet Connections
- Compare Internet connection types.
- Use basic TCP/IP concepts.
- Compare protocols and ports.
- Compare network configuration concepts.
- Supporting Network Services
- Summarize services provided by networked hosts.
- Compare Internet and embedded appliances.
- Troubleshoot networks.
- Summarizing Virtualization and Cloud Concepts
- Summarize client-side virtualization.
- Summarize cloud concepts.
- Supporting Mobile Devices
- Set up mobile devices and peripherals.
- Configure mobile device apps.
- Install and configure laptop hardware.
- Troubleshoot mobile device issues.
- Supporting Print Devices
- Deploy printer and multifunction devices.
- Replace print device consumables.
- Troubleshoot print device issues.
- Implementing Operational Procedures
- Implement best practice documentation.
- Use proper communication techniques.
- Use common safety and environmental procedures.
Additional Textbook/s and Course Materials
- CompTIA's CertMaster Learn & Labs online environment will be utilized throughout this course
- Student will receive access to Core 1 e-Text via the learning environment
- You will have received an email regarding enrollment in CertMaster Learn & Labs. Please complete this ASAP.
- Additional and optional course materials such as the hard copy of the text, CertMaster Practice, and test voucher can be purchased separately if desired.
- The online e-text provides you with the electronic only access to the same resources. You can access these resources on a personal desktop, laptop, smart phone, tablet, etc.
- A PC with Windows 10 or higher along with Internet access is required for successfully working with the materials to complete this course.
- If needed, KCC may be able to lend students Windows laptops for particular tasks for a duration. You may call your program advisor, ITS (815) 802-8900 or Bookstore 815-802-8590 for more information.
Additional Methods of Evaluation
Student evaluation is based on points accrued via Virtual Labs (in CompTIA), Assignments, Quizzes, and Exams. Point values may change based on added or removed assignments.
- Assignments – 30%
- Labs – 40%
- Quizzes – 10%
- Exams – 20%
The corresponding grading scale will be:
- 90-100% = A
- 80-89% = B
- 70-79% = C
- 60-69% = D
- 59% or lower = F
Business, Technology & Human Services
Dean, Paul Carlson; 815-802-8858; V105; pcarlson@kcc.edu; Division Office – W102; 815-802-8650
Course Policies
- Attendance Policy
- Attendance is MANDATORY
- If a class or lab session must be missed, arrangements must be made prior to the absence.
- If an absence is not planned, a valid excuse (i.e., doctor’s note, etc.) must be provided to the instructor for each missed session at the beginning of the following class session.
- Make-up work, including assignments, quizzes, exams, etc., is provided at the discretion of the instructor and must be completed within one week of the missed class period.
- Readings
- This course requires you to read the assigned reading from the instructor.
- Lectures will provide only an overview of the reading material.
- You are expected to come to class prepared for that day’s lecture
- Quizzes, Assignments L& Exams
- Quizzes are meant to assess your recall and retention of lecture, reading, and lab materials.
- Assignments will be administered as a follow up for select topics throughout the semester.
- Exams are designed to assess retention of lecture and reading materials, while also assessing your ability to compare /contrast and apply concepts.
- Quizzes may be posted on Canvas.
- On face-to-face quiz and exam days, students must arrive on time and be ready to take the quiz or exam at the start of class.
- If a student enters the classroom late on a quiz day, he/she may take the quiz as long as at least one student is still in possession of the quiz. If all students have completed and turned in the quiz, he/she may not take the quiz.
- Students will not be permitted to enter the classroom and take the exam once the exam has started.
- Once an exam or quiz has been administered, a student will not be permitted to leave for any reason until he/she turns the exam in.
- If a student’s cell phone is disruptive during an exam or quiz, the student will receive a zero on that exam.
- If a student is found using their cell phone in any way during an exam or quiz, it will be considered to be a case of cheating and the student will receive a zero on the exam as well as the possibility of receiving an F for the course grade.
- Late assignments will not be accepted unless arrangements are made
- Cell Phone Use
- Turn off all cell phones and all other items that may beep, buzz, or otherwise interrupt the instructor and other students.
- If you must have your cell phone on for work or a family emergency, set it to vibrate and leave the classroom if you receive a call.
- No texting during class.
- Failure to follow any of the above rules will result in a warning (first offense), 5 point deduction from your class grade (second offense), and removal from the class period (third and beyond offense).
- Other Classroom Guidelines
- You will gain the most from this course if you actively participate in classroom and lab discussions and share your experiences and questions.
- Learn the names of your classmates and help one another whenever possible (but not during quizzes and exams).
- Take responsibility for the classroom and lab areas by picking up after yourself.
- Arrive promptly before class begins.
- No tobacco products may be used on campus.
- Do not come to class when you are ill and likely to infect others.
- Minor children are not allowed in the classroom or lab areas for safety reasons.
- No students will be allowed to work in lab areas outside of class time without instructor permission and appropriate supervision.
- Student Integrity
- All students are expected to take quizzes, exams, write papers, and conduct themselves with integrity, common sense, and respect for their fellow students, the instructor, and the academic institution.
- Students should not jeopardize their own honesty or that of other students.
- Cheating will not be tolerated.
- Upon evidence of student cheating, the student will be dropped from the course and receive a grade of F in the course
| Dates | Content | Assignment/Lab/Quiz/Test | |
| Week 1 | Aug 17 – 23 |
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| Week 2 | Aug 24 – 30 |
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| Week 3 | Aug 31 – Sept 6 |
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| Week 4 | Sept 7 – 13 |
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| Week 5 | Sept 14 – 20 |
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| Week 6 | Sept 21 – 27 |
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| Week 7 | Sept 28 – Oct 4 |
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| Week 8 | Oct 5 – 9 |
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College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.