CompTIA A+

Certification Preparation Course

Course Overview

This CompTIA A+ Certification Training course is meticulously designed to equip learners with the fundamental skills and knowledge required for a successful career in IT support and operations. Over four weeks, students will engage in an intensive exploration of computer hardware, operating systems, networking, mobile devices, security, and troubleshooting techniques. The curriculum is divided into 21 modules, each focusing on critical aspects of IT support, from assembling and disassembling computers to securing and troubleshooting networks and devices.

Curriculum Objectives

After completing this curriculum, you will be able to:

1. Understand Computer Hardware Fundamentals:
• Safely disassemble and reassemble desktop and laptop computers, identifying their major internal and external components, and understand the compatibility and connection between them.
• Recognize and utilize various tools essential for a computer hardware technician.
2. Master Motherboard Components and Maintenance:
• Describe, contrast, and identify various motherboard types and features.
• Configure motherboards using BIOS/UEFI firmware, perform maintenance tasks including firmware updates, and replace CMOS batteries.
3. Processors and Memory:
• Compare and select processors for personal computers based on their characteristics and features.
• Understand, select, and upgrade different types of physical memory, enhancing the performance of a computer.
4. Power Supply and System Cooling:
• Select appropriate power supplies based on system needs and describe methods and devices for keeping a system cool.
• Troubleshoot power supply and cooling system issues effectively.
5. Hard Drive and Storage Technologies:
• Understand the technologies used in hard drives and how a computer communicates with them.
• Install, troubleshoot hard drives, and support various storage devices including optical drives, solid-state storage, and flash memory devices.
6. Peripheral and I/O Device Support:
• Install, configure, and troubleshoot I/O devices such as mice, keyboards, webcams, and display devices.
• Understand and support the video subsystem, including monitor and video card selection and the configuration of dual monitors.
7. Networking Fundamentals:
• Explain TCP/IP protocols and standards, compare networking hardware, and configure devices in a local network.
• Troubleshoot common network issues and understand the fundamentals of networking infrastructure and cloud computing services.
8. Mobile Devices:
• Support various types of mobile devices and operating systems, configure email and content synchronization, and troubleshoot common mobile device issues.
9. Printer Support:
• Discuss printer types, features, installation, and perform routine maintenance tasks.
• Troubleshoot printer problems effectively.
10. Professional IT Support:
• Demonstrate professionalism and respect in customer support, manage documentation for asset management, and understand the complexity of diverse software environments.
11. Operating System Installation and Maintenance:
• Evaluate systems for compatibility with Windows operating systems, perform installations, configure settings, and conduct scheduled preventive maintenance.
12. Troubleshooting Operating Systems:
• Apply an organized approach to solving software and hardware problems, including issues occurring during the boot process and after startup.
13. Security Strategies:
• Secure resources on a network, detect and prevent malicious software, and understand policies related to software licensing, data compliance, and incident response.
14. Advanced Networking and Security:
• Secure workstations and networks, including IoT devices, using advanced security measures and troubleshoot network connections.
15. Supporting macOS and Linux:
• Use, maintain, update, and troubleshoot macOS and Linux operating systems, and understand common scripting languages and their applications.

Course Requirements

To successfully engage and complete this Security+ training course, student should possess some basic computer literacy and possess a 9th grade reading/comprehension level. A basic understanding of computer frameworks is preferred.

A computer with the minimum requirements to use of Cengage

Course Schedule and Learning Objectives

Week 1: Security Fundamentals

Week 2: Endpoint Security

Week 3: Cryptography and Network Security

Week 4: Enterprise Security

Getting Help

If you have questions or need to have something explained there are lots of ways to get help. If I am contacted through email, canvas, or phone I will respond within 24 hours.

·         Message the instructor through the Canvas platform.

·         Contact the course instructor VIA phone call.

·         Send your question via email to course instructor.

Participation & Attendance

It is expected each student to participate in class discussion and to engage your fellow students along with the instructor in the activity of learning.

Among other things this means that each student will have completed any reading, assignments, labs, etc. that are due. Additional means of measurement is the component of taking attendance at the start of class.

Assignments will be turned-in at the start of class on the day they are due. Any assignment (exercise or project) will be accepted for partial credit for up to one week after the due date. They will be marked down according to how late they are. One week or more after the due date for any particular assignment it will not be accepted any longer for credit.  

Course Policies 

·         Disruptive Behavior – Disruptive behavior of any type is NOT permitted and may result in dismissal from the program. Muting and leaving during a virtual class, tardiness to class, excessive talking during class, and disrespectful behavior are examples of disruptive behavior.

·         Plagiarism – Submitting plagiarized work for an academic requirement is considered academic misconduct. Plagiarism is the representation of another’s work or ideas as one’s own; it includes the unacknowledged word-for-word use and/or paraphrasing of another person’s work, and/or inappropriate unacknowledged use of another person’s ideas.

·         Diversity - It is the responsibility of the instructor and the students to foster and maintain a harmonious, non-threatening and non- discriminating environment in the classroom. Therefore, all individuals are to be respected as equal and contributing partners of our society.

·         Attendance: Must maintain at least 90% rate of attendance. You are required to attend all classes. However, you may miss up to 2 classes and still pass the course. Any other absences must be approved by the instructor

Grading

Evaluation of student performance is based upon pupil performance objectives relating to course competencies study. The number of competencies mastered, and the degree of mastery is translated into appropriate grades consistent with the DSDT SAP policy on grading guidelines, practices, and procedures.

In the process of evaluation, instructors obtain several grades for each student within the time frame of the course. These grades may include, but are not limited to, performance on tests, quizzes, assignments, classroom participation, lab competency mastery and/or improvement and the demonstration of positive employability traits.

Delivery Methods

This course will be taught using the Canvas LMS system. Curriculum will be accessed through the Cengage Unlimited Portal within the Canvas LMS. The course will be delivered through lecture in-person. For students who are not required to attend class in person due to program funding source, the lectures will be delivered via Microsoft Teams meetings platform. Students will log on to Canvas through their school provided Office 365 Account.

Students are expected to participate.

All students will have the same expectations to participate in this course regardless of course delivery. All will be treated as though you are present at the school. It is important that all students pay attention during class and limit the amount of outside distraction present. DSDT expects all students to speak up if they are falling behind or not able to complete a lesson due to technology issues. Just as in person, the class will not mind pausing to ensure no student is left behind.

Special Accommodations

Accommodations for Disabilities: If you have any kind of disability, whether apparent or non-apparent, learning, emotional, physical, or cognitive, and you need some accommodations or alternatives to lectures, assignments, or exams, please feel free to contact me to discuss reasonable accommodations for your access needs.