SYLLABUS

ITM 701 Computer and Peripheral Hardware

Instructor
Kevin Vaccaro, Adjunct Professor, Illinois Institute of Technology
Kevin Vaccaro | Illinois Institute of Technology (iit.edu)

Course Description
If you are currently in the IT sector, as a provider, payer, or administrator, or if you are pursuing a career
change to the Information Technology sector, this course is for you.

The career skills you acquire in this course will help you begin your journey into information technology. By
taking this course, you will explore the several types of hardware components installed in computers and
peripherals. You will also learn about the function of each component as part of the computer and peripheral
hardware. It is the first in the series of courses that will provide you with the foundational knowledge you need
to support the project and to dive deeper into using computer technology in information technology.

Additionally, if you would like to complete your bachelor’s degree in information technology or If you are
interested in academic credit for this course, you can transfer your learning and take a final exam for credit.
This course is part of a Performance Based Admission pathway for the Bachelor of Information Technology
and Management program. More information about academic credit and degree pathways can be found here.

Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
• Identify basic cable types and their connectors, features, and purposes.
• Demonstrate knowledge of several types of memory and their installation.
• Categorize and install diverse types of storage devices.
• Explain and configure motherboards, central processing units (CPUs), and add-on cards.
• Apply electronic principles and their relationship to the power supply.
• Explain the components and operation of multifunction devices/printers and settings.

Course Materials
The link to reading materials and resources to learn on the topics can be found in each week’s learning
module. All materials are available online for free, no required resources need to be purchased. There is no
required textbook to supplement the course materials. Note: Be aware that some resources may open in a
new tab.

Software Requirements: CPU-Z (https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html)

Course Outline
The course consists of 3 modules that focus on the following key areas:

Module 1: Motherboards / Ports and cables

Key concepts
 - Motherboard busses and components
- Motherboard internal and external connectors
- Computer storage types

Readings

- Bus (computing). (2023, July 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_(computing)

- Motherboard. (2023, July 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motherboard
- UEFI. (2023, July 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFI

Module 2: CPU and Power Supply

Key concepts

- CPU architecture
- CPU processors
- Electronic principles

Readings

− Central processing unit. (2023, July 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

− CPU socket. (2023, July 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPU_socket
− 32-bit computing. (2023, July 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32-bit_computing
− 64-bit computing. (2023, July 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64-bit_computing
− Multi-core processor. (2023, July 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-core_processor
− Ohm’s law. (2023, July 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohm%27s_law
− Power supply unit (computer). (2023, July 18). In Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_supply_unit_(computer)

Module 3: Computer Storage

Key concepts

- Memory and storage

- Internal and external storage
- RAID levels

Readings

- Computer memory. (2023, July 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_memory

- Cache (computing). (2023, July 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cache_(computing)
- Hard disk NVdrive. (2023, July 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_disk_drive
- NVM express. (2023, July 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NVM_Express
- SCSI. (2023, July 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCSI
- Network-attached storage. (2023, July 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network-
attached_storage
- RAID. (2023, July 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAID

Course Structure and Learning Activities

There are 3 content modules in this course and each module may take about 6 hours to complete. You can
advance at your own pace; a consistent pace will help you complete the module and move on to the next
course in the sequence. The final module consists of your final assessment for the course. You have to pass
module tests and final assessment with 80% of achievement. At the end of the course, you will receive a
Certificate of Completion branded by Coursera and IIT.

This course is comprised of the following elements:

● Readings: Each module may include several required and/or supplemental readings.
● Video Lessons: In each module, the concepts you need to know will be presented through a
collection of short videos. You may stream these videos for playback within the browser by clicking on
their titles.

● In-Video Questions. Some videos have questions associated with it to help verify your understanding
of the topics. These questions will automatically appear while watching the video if you stream the
video through your browser. These questions do not contribute toward your final score in the class.

● Discussion Forum: This course has a place for you to interact with other learners about class-related
topics. Unless specified, discussion forums do not carry a score.

● Practice Quizzes: Each module will include some practice quizzes, intended for you to assess your
understanding of the topics. You will be allowed unlimited attempts at each practice quiz. There is no
time limit on how long you take to complete each attempt at the quiz. These quizzes do not contribute
toward your final score in the class.

● Summative Module Assessments: Each module will include at least one summative module
assessment. You will be allowed three attempts per every eight hours for each assessment. There is
no time limit on how long you take to complete each attempt at the assessment. Your highest grade
will be recorded

● Final Assessment: This course will contain one final summative course assessment. You will be
allowed one attempt for this assessment.

How to Pass This Course

Guidelines for completing and submitting each assigned course activity are posted along with the assignment.
Assignments can be submitted at any time as you move through the module. Only those who complete and
submit all assignments, including peer reviews, will receive a certificate of completion of this course. No late
assignments will be accepted. In case of extenuating circumstances beyond your control that prevent the
submission of an assignment or exam, you have to enter a request with the program advisor and the
instructor.

To qualify for a Course Certificate of Completion, simply start verifying your coursework at the beginning of
the course and pay the fee. Coursera Financial Aid is available to offset the registration cost for learners with
demonstrated economic needs. If you have questions about Course Certificates, please see the help topics
here.

Also note that this course is part of Bachelor of Information Technology and Management program offered by
Illinois Institute of Technology. By earning a Course Certificate in this course, you are on your way toward
earning a Specialization Certificate in this topic. See more information about the program here.

If you choose not to pay the fee, you can still audit the course. You will still be able to view all videos, submit
practice quizzes, and view required assessments. Auditing does not include the option to submit required
assessments. As such, you will not be able to earn a grade or a Course Certificate.

The following table explains the breakdown for what is required in order to pass the class and qualify for a
Course Certificate. You must pass each and every required activity in order to pass this course.

Activity Required? Number per Estimated Time % Required % of Total

Course per Module to Pass Grade

Lecture Videos Yes 3-6 per .5-1 hour N/A N/A

module

Practice Quizzes No 3-6 per .5 hour N/A N/A

module

Discussions No 2 per course 1 hour N/A N/A

Summative Module Yes 1 per module .5 hour 80% 20% /each

Assessments module
(60%)

Summative Course Yes 1 -2 per 1-3 hours 80% 40%

Assessments course

Getting and Giving Help

● Use the Learner Help Center to find information regarding specific technical problems. For example,
technical problems would include error messages, difficulty submitting assignments, or problems with
video playback. If you cannot find an answer in the documentation, you can also report your problem
to the Coursera staff by clicking on the Contact Us! link available on each topic's page within the
Learner Help Center.
● Use the flag icon under each item to report errors in lecture video content, assignment questions and
answers, assignment grading, text and links on course pages, or the content of other course materials.
● Familiarize yourself with Coursera’s policy on Accessibility.

Academic Integrity
Your attentiveness to academic integrity reflects the value you place on your own work and the work of
others. In addition to Coursera's Honor Code, we also have high expectations for conduct during course
participation.
Discussion Forums: Expectations
Sharing an online course with other avid learners like you gives you a unique opportunity to share,
collaborate, and learn from others and their experiences, and helps you reinforce your understanding of the
topics of the course. Interacting in the Discussion Forums is a great way to engage with your online
community. We know that it is not possible to read every discussion forum post, so we recommend that you
read those that interest you; and reply when you can contribute.

The forum is part of your class activities and everybody is expected to act professionally and be civil and
respectful of others in your class. Failure to meet these expectations may be considered a break in the
Academic Code of Conduct and may result in your removal from the course. Please, check tips and helpful
tools to interact in discussion forums in this document.

Academic Code of Conduct

Above all else, learners are expected to ensure that their conduct helps to create an atmosphere conducive to
learning and the interchange of knowledge. While it is understood that some of these items are subject to
interpretation, learners should nonetheless endeavor to:

● Be respectful of fellow learners.

● Not discriminate against fellow learners in any manner.
● Conduct peer reviews in a timely manner and give useful feedback on what was done well, helpful
suggestions for how to improve, and specific comments about why you gave the grade you chose to
assist peers in their learning.
● Turn assignments in on time and follow instructions on all assignments including those affecting the
use of technology.
● Be truthful in all communication, which includes, but is not limited to, avoiding academic dishonesty.

Illinois Institute of Technology Copyright Statement

This course material is copyrighted, and all rights are reserved by IIT. No part of this course material may be
reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language or computer
language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual, or
otherwise, without the express prior written permission of the University.