vcc.ca
CSTP 1104: Computer Systems Administration
Effective date
September 2022
Department
Computer Systems Tech Diploma
School
Trades, Technology and Design
Description
This course introduces students to the computer (PC) as a system, both hardware and software. Students learn PC hardware and peripheral components: their role, how to connect, install, configure, and troubleshoot issues. This also includes basic safety and operational procedures.
For software, students will gain knowledge of the fundamentals of Operating Systems (OS). They will acquire the skills needed to install and configure desktop computers and other devices in a business environment. Topics include OS architecture, file and disk management, BIOS and UEFI, multi-boot, virtual machines, software installation/removal, performance tuning, backing up and protecting data, and troubleshooting. The basics of networking, security, virus protection, and firewalls are also covered.
This course also reviews the complex concepts in OS such as process scheduling, Virtual Memory, signals and interrupts, and applications management by OS.
This course loosely follows latest CompTIA A+ certification syllabus, but taking the exam is not part of the course.
Credits
5.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Install and configure computer components and peripherals
- Practice the maintenance of hardware
- Explain the fundamentals of Operating Systems in general
- Plan and install an operating system
- Process scheduling and application management
- Configure storage and data access
- Configure basic security settings
- Perform file and disk management
- Explain the basics of networking
- Configure a Linux desktop operating system
- Use Windows System Restore capabilities to recover the Windows OS
- Customize BIOS and UEFI settings
- Use Windows Control Panel and Windows PowerShell for basic PC management operations
- Start, stop, and disable Windows services
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 45
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 55
Total Hours: 100
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 55
Total Hours: 100
Instructional Strategies
Instructional strategies include classroom lectures, demonstrations, group discussions, computer lab and hands-on practical work.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
C
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Lab Work |
40 |
4 assignments in form of lab work, each 10% |
|
Midterm Exam |
30 |
A mixture of Microsoft test questions and OS setup work, to be done in lab. |
|
Final Exam |
30 |
A mixture of Microsoft test questions and OS setup work, to be done in lab. |
Course topics
- Computer hardware components
- Operating Systems: Windows and Linux
- Operation System configuration
- Storage and data access, backup, and restore
- Security setting
- Linux desktop operating system management using shells
- Computer network and firewall configuration
- Process and application management
- Hypervisor and Virtual Machines using VMWare
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.