TITLE: Network Technical Support

1. CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
   A primarily lab-based course, studying microcomputer concepts, with emphasis on network technician practices. Students learn to operate, install, configure, troubleshoot, upgrade, and maintain microcomputers and gain an introductory understanding of computer networks.
   
   
2. PURPOSE:
   Provide the preliminary skills needed for upper level courses in system networking, as well as provide preparation for technical certification exams.
   
   
3. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
   Develop the skills necessary to install, configure, diagnose, repair, upgrade and maintain microcomputer hardware devices, as well as install and configuration various operating systems.
   
   
4. CONTENT OUTLINE:
   
   1. Basic Computer Concepts
      
   2. Microcomputer Architecture
      
   3. Memory and Physical Storage Concepts
      
   4. Bus Architectures
      
   5. Peripherals
      
   6. Installation and Upgrades
      
   7. Troubleshooting Techniques
      
   8. Networking Fundamentals
      
   9. Operating System Fundamentals
      
   10. Installation Techniques for Various Operating Systems
       
   11. Application Installations
       
   12. Configuring Network Operating Systems
       
   13. Operating System Troubleshooting
       
   
   
5. INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
   Lecture and discussion, demonstration and lab work.
   
   
6. FIELD, CLINICAL, AND/OR LABORATORY EXPERIENCES:
   Considerable portion of instruction time will be spent in the lab.
   
   
7. RESOURCES:
   Web-page references.
   
   
8. GRADING PROCEDURES:
1. GRADING FACTORS:

   Factor	Final Grade %
   5 Exams	50%
   Weekly Lab Exercises	50%

   
   
2. GRADING SCALE

   Average		Grade
   90 or above		A
   80 - 89%		B
   70 - 79%		C
   60 - 69%		D
   Below 60%		E

   
   
   
9. ATTENDANCE POLICY:
   This course will adhere to the policy published in the MSU Undergraduate Bulletin. Attendance will be recorded each lab session. No provisions will be made for making up absences from labs. A missed lab session will result in a loss of credit for the exercises of that lab.
   
   
10. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:
    Cheating, plagiarism (submitting another person's material as one's own), or doing work for another person which will receive academic credit are all impermissible. This includes the use of unauthorized books, notebooks or other sources in order to secure or give help during an examination; the unauthorized copying of examinations, assignments, reports or term papers; or the presentation of unacknowledged material as if it were the student's own work. Disciplinary action may be taken beyond the academic discipline administered by the faculty member who teaches the course in which the cheating took place.
    
    
11. TEXT AND REFERENCES:
    A+ Study Guide by David Groth. Additional online references.
    
    
12. PREREQUISITES:
    None.