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DEPARTMENT OF B&IT
Course Outline
COURSE INSTRUCTOR
Jean Paul NIZEYIMANA
Dept. of B&IT
UTB/ Kigali Campus
Phone: +250-788-771-540
Email:jnizeyimana@utb.ac.rw
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will explore some of the technical aspects of the computer. Primary emphasis will be
placed on the Software and Hardware of the computer. Various methods of maintenance,
troubleshooting and repair will be demonstrated and explained. It is not the intention of this
course to make computer technician out of every student, rather, students can expect to take away
some of the mystery from that box called a computer and to feel more comfortable doing some of
their own upgrades and troubleshooting. As a practical course, the focus is to impart useful skills
on the students in order to enhance ability to install, troubleshoot, repair and maintain computer
systems. Topics to be covered include introduction to computer systems, computer system parts,
maintenance techniques, approaches and tools; diagnostic techniques; system assembly and
installation; troubleshooting and repair of computer systems and accessories; portable computers,
etc.
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COURSE OBJECTIVES
(Skills)
install, configure, optimize and upgrade personal computers;
install, configure, optimize and upgrade the portable computers;
install, configure, optimize and upgrade the operating system;
to be able to perform diagnostic procedures, maintenance and troubleshooting
techniques to personal computers, operating systems and computer peripherals.
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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Attendance: It is expected that every student will be in class for lectures and also participate in
all practical exercises. Attendance records will be kept and used to determine each person’s
qualification to sit for the final examination. In case of illness or other unavoidable cause of
absence, the student must communicate as soon as possible with the instructor and the HoD,
indicating the reason for the absence (Refer to UTB Student Handbook).
Code of Conduct in Lecture Rooms and Laboratories: Students should turn off their cell phones
during lectures. Students are prohibited from engaging in other activities (such as texting,
Watching videos, WhatsApp, etc.) During lectures. Food and drinks are not permitted in the
laboratories.
READING LIST
Graves, Michael W. (2016). A+ Guide to PC Hardware Maintenance and Repair: Text.
Thompson Publishing, Second edition.
CHERYL A. SCHMIDT (2017). COMPLETE A+ CompTIA Guide Pearson’s Education Inc., 6th
Edition Second edition.
Mueller, Scott M. (2016). Upgrading and Repairing PCS, Pearson’s Education Inc., 20th Edition.
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COURSE OUTLINE
Day Topic Remarks
1 Review syllabus and course outline; introductions, During this first class, the
safety, external components and peripherals, expectation of the students from the
internal desktop components course will also be documented.
Internal desktop components continued Practical exercise will involve
2 Performance of components/system opening up a desktop PC to examine
assembly the components and specify their
functions.
Personal computers Practical exercise will involve
3 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade opening up coupling a personal
personal computer components computer.
Add, remove and configure internal and
external storage devices
Install display devices
Add remove and configure basic input and
multimedia device.
4 Trouble shooting guide to personal computers Practical exercise will involve
and be able to identify: troubleshooting a personal computer.
Tools,
diagnostic procedures,
troubleshooting techniques for personal computer
components
5 Laptop and portable devices Students should be able to install,
Identify the fundamental principles of using configure, optimize and upgrade
laptops and portable devices portable devices and laptops
Identify and distinguish between mobile and
desktop motherboard and processors At 9H00am students will sit for
including throttling, power management and the first CAT which will be
Wifi. theory. It will be on 18th January
Install, configure, optimize and upgrade 2019
laptop and portable devices
Add, remove and configure internal and external
storage devices of laptop and portable devices
specific hardware such as peripherals.
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Identify and distinguish between operating Students should be able to install,
systems configure, optimize and upgrade
Identify names, purposes and characteristics operating systems.
of the primary operating system components
including registry, virtual memory and file
system
Describe features of operating system
interfaces
Identify names, locations, purposes and
characteristics of operating system files
Identify concept and procedures for creating,
viewing, managing disks, directories and
files in operating systems
Install, configure, optimize and upgrade
operating systems
Identify procedures for installing operating
systems
Identify procedures for upgrading operating
systems
Install/add a device including loading,
adding device drivers and requirements.
Identify procedures and utilities used to
optimize operating systems
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of data and physical security Students should be able to install,
Describe importance and process of configure, optimize and upgrade
incidence reporting security of the computer system.
Recognize and respond appropriately to Students should also be able to
social engineering situations perform preventive maintenance for
Install, configure, optimize and upgrade the computer’s security.
security
Install, configure, optimize and upgrade
software and data security
Diagnose and troubleshoot hardware,
software and data security issues
Perform preventive maintenance techniques
for computer security
Implement software security preventive
maintenance techniques such as installing
service packs and patches and training users
about malicious software prevention
technologies.
10 REVISION This is the day preceding the final
examination. At this time, evaluation
will be done to assess how far the
students’ expectations for the course
have been met.