Course Syllabus

Consists of CORE1 and CORE2

 

School of Business and Management

Department of Information Science and Systems

 

CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 Preparation, Section 000

Cyberwarrior Program

 

 

 

 

Instructor:       

Office:                 

Telephone:       

Class:                

Classroom:     

Office Hours:  

 Email:               

 

Course Description

This course is a preparation course that will cover all the necessary outcomes to pass the current iteration of the CompTIA Infrastructure test. CompTIA A+ is the industry standard for establishing a career in IT and the preferred qualifying credential for technical support and IT operational roles. It is the only industry-recognized credential with performance-based items that prove pros can think on their feet to perform critical IT support tasks. Employers worldwide trust it to identify the go-to person in endpoint management and technical support roles.

 Prerequisite: None

 

Textbooks and Materials:

 

[Required]: CompTIA A+ Core 1 Exam: Guide to Computing Infrastructure xx^th Edition

by  Jean Andrews, Joy Dark, Jill West, 2022, ISBN: 978-0-357-10837-6

 

Course Objectives

The objectives and goals of the course are:

 

• Prepare the student to pass the current CompTIA A+ Core 1 Exam successfully.

 

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 Preparation, students will be able to:

 

• Students will understand current Core 1 objectives.

 

• Students will master mock tests in preparation for the CompTIA Core test.,

 

• Students will master testing strategies to pass the CORE 1 test.t

 

Course Approach

 

ASSIGNMENTS—Students will be assigned reading assignments to prepare for each week’s lectures and videos to reinforce the concepts covered in the lectures.

 

EXAMS – There will be weekly exams covering each chapter covered that week.

They will not count for a grade but show progress in preparation for the test. Retaking the tests will be encouraged until a consistent 90% is achieved.

 

ACCESS—Students enrolled in this program who are not part of Morgan State University will be assigned a provisional email and user ID.

 

Course Policies:

Class attendance will be recorded at the beginning of each class period. The instructor must be informed if class attendance is impossible due to a personal emergency.

 

 

* This schedule is aggressive and will require absolute commitment from the student.

Week 1: Introduction to Hardware

• Course overview and objectives
• Essential hardware components (motherboards, CPUs, RAM)
• : Hands-on activity: Assembling a basic PC

Week 2: Storage Devices and Power Supplies

• Types of storage devices (HDD, SSD, optical drives)
• Power supplies and their specifications
• : Hands-on activity: Installing storage devices and power supplies

Week 3: Peripherals and Connectors

• Input and output devices (keyboards, mice, monitors)
• Connectors and ports (USB, HDMI, Ethernet)
• : Hands-on activity: Connecting peripherals and troubleshooting

Week 4: Networking Concepts

• Basic networking concepts (LAN, WAN, IP addressing)
• Networking hardware (routers, switches, modems)
• : Hands-on activity: Setting up a small network

Week 5: Mobile Devices

• Types of mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops)
• Mobile device components and features
• : Hands-on activity: Configuring mobile devices

Week 6: Troubleshooting Hardware

• Common hardware issues and solutions
• Diagnostic tools and techniques
• : Hands-on activity: Troubleshooting hardware problems

Week 7: Operating Systems

• Overview of operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Installing and configuring operating systems
• : Hands-on activity: OS installation and configuration

Week 8: Review and Final Assessment

• Review of key concepts and topics
• Practice exam and Q&A session
• : Final assessment and feedback

Week 9-16: Asynchronous Study using CompTIA resources to prepare for the Certification Test.

CompTIA A+ Certification Core 2 Preparation, Section 000

Cyberwarrior Program

Course Description

This course is a preparation course and will cover all the necessary outcomes to pass the current iteration of the CompTIA Core 2 A+ test. CompTIA A+ is the industry standard for establishing a career in IT and the preferred qualifying credential for technical support and IT operational roles. It is the only industry-recognized credential with performance-based items to prove pros can think on their feet to perform critical IT support tasks. It is trusted by employers worldwide to identify the go-to person in endpoint management & technical support roles.

 

Prerequisite: Successfully Complete Cyberwarrior A+ Core 1 Course

 

Textbooks and Materials:

 

[Required]:

 

Course Objectives

The objectives and goals of the course are:

 

• Prepare the student to successfully pass the CompTIA A+ Core 2 exam (220-1102)

 

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the CompTIA A+ Certification Core 2 Preparation, students will be able to:

 

• Students will understand the current Core 2 objectives.

 

• Students will master mock tests in preparation for the CompTIA Core test.,

 

• Students will master testing strategies to pass the CORE 2 test.

 

Course Approach

 

ASSIGNMENTS – There will be reading assignments to prepare for each week’s lectures. There will be assigned videos to watch to reinforce concepts covered in the lectures.

 

EXAMS – There will be weekly exams covering each chapter covered that week.

They will not count for a grade but show progress in preparation for the test. Retaking the tests will be encouraged until a consistent 90% is achieved.

 

ACCESS—Students enrolled in this program who are not part of Morgan State University will be assigned a provisional email and user ID.

 

Course Policies:

Class attendance will be recorded at the beginning of each class period. The instructor must be informed if class attendance is impossible due to a personal emergency.

Week 1: Getting Started

•  Introduction to CompTIA A+ Core 2 (1102) Exam Objectives

  • Review exam domains: Operating Systems, Security, Software Troubleshooting, and Operational Procedures.

  • Familiarize yourself with the testing environment and question formats.

•  Operating Systems Basics

  • Study Windows Operating Systems: features, installation, updates, and tools.

  • Explore different editions of Windows (e.g., Home, Pro).

•  Hands-on Practice

  • Install and navigate Windows OS in a virtual machine or lab environment.

•  Review & Quiz

  • Revise the week’s content and take practice quizzes.

Week 2: Advanced Operating Systems

•  Other Operating Systems & Features

  • Study Linux, macOS, and mobile OS environments.

  • Understand system file structures, features, and management tools.

•  System Management

  • Explore user account management, permissions, and software installations.

•  Practical Work

  • Use Linux commands and navigate macOS features if accessible.

• Review & Quiz

  • Revise and test knowledge with advanced OS scenarios.

Week 3: Security Fundamentals

•  Security Concepts

  • Learn about threats, vulnerabilities, and risks.

  • Study authentication, password policies, and device hardening.

• Implementing Security Measures

  • Study firewalls, security software, and physical security techniques.

•  Security Practices

  • Practice securing a device and network settings.

•  Review & Quiz

  • Review content and take security-focused practice quizzes.

Week 4: Software Troubleshooting

•  Identifying Software Issues

  • Learn about common software errors and diagnostic tools.

•  Troubleshooting Techniques

  • Study system logs, event viewers, and task management tools.

•  Apply Knowledge

  • Practice troubleshooting scenarios on real or virtual environments.

•  Review & Quiz

  • Consolidate learning and test troubleshooting skills.

Week 5: Operational Procedures

• Best Practices

  • Study safety procedures, environmental controls, and workplace documentation.

•  Communication Skills

  • Focus on customer service and professional conduct.

•  Practical Application

  • Role-play support scenarios or participate in mock sessions.

•  Review & Quiz

  • Revisit the material and test understanding with scenario-based questions.

Week 6: Practice & Consolidation

•  Comprehensive Review

  • Go over all domains with emphasis on weak areas.

•  Practice Exams

  • Take full-length practice exams under timed conditions.

•  Review Results

  • Analyze results and revisit incorrect answers.

Week 7: Final Preparation

• Targeted Study

  • Focus on challenging topics from practice exams.

•  Practical Hands-on

  • Engage in practical exercises for real-world scenarios.

•  Revisit Exam Tips

  • Review strategies, time management, and stress management.

Week 8: Exam Readiness

•  Final Mock Exams

  • Simulate exam conditions and refine techniques.

• Light Review

  • Go over flashcards, notes, and cheat sheets.

Weeks 9-16 - Schedule and Prepare for your test.

 

* This schedule is aggressive and will require absolute commitment from the student