PC Maintenance Technology

This outline covers all four semesters of your at-home degree program. You will receive credit for previous college coursework if you meet Penn Foster standards. If you wish to receive credit for previous coursework, contact the college you attended and ask that your transcripts be forwarded to Penn Foster for evaluation. There is a non-refundable transcript processing fee of $30. All previous college work must have been completed with a grade of "C" or better, and as much as 50% of the required credits may be transferred. We will also credit your tuition for all the courses that are acceptable.

System Requirements
You will need access to a computer to complete this program. Penn Foster recommends the following as minimum specifications: Pentium® II or better processor, using Microsoft® Windows® XP or later, capable of running Microsoft® Office 2007. You will also need Internet access.

Online Library and Librarian
Students at Penn Foster College have access to an online library during their college studies. Students can use the library to do the required course research or for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via e-mail and will assist students in research activities.

SEMESTER ONE

Basic Skills Assessment All degree applicants are required to complete two Basic Skills Assessments, one in reading and one in math, to determine the level of readiness for beginning their selected program. Additional studies may be required. PCM101 - Orientation to PC Maintenance Technology (1 credit) Strategies for the Independent Learner; Technology in Society CSC101 - Computer Literacy (3 Credits) Introduction; Hardware; Software; Computer Networks; Internet Applications; Systems; Computers in Our Lives. Textbook included PCM103 - Introduction to PC Repair (2 Credits) Introduction to PC Repair; Introduction to Hardware and Software; Preparing for Your Career as a PC Repair Technician. ENG103 - Information to Literacy (1 Credit) Teaches students to become effective in finding and utilizing information at libraries and other information centers, and through electronic resources available in libraries and on the World Wide Web. Graded Project: Information Literacy PCM105 - PC Hardware, 1 (3 Credit) System Boards and Component Identification; Understanding Memory; Working with Disk Drives; Installation and Support of Hard Drives; Multimedia - CD and DVD Drives; Power Supplies. ENG100 - English Composition (3 Credits) The Basics; The Writing Process; Descriptive Writing; Writing Narrative; Reflective and Persuasive Writing. Textbooks includedCSC107 - Introduction to Microsoft® Windows® (3 Credits) Introduction to Windows® XP; Using Windows® XP; Managing and Supporting Windows® XP; Advanced Windows® XP; Troubleshooting. Textbook and Learning Aid included Proctored Examination*

BACK TO TOP

SEMESTER TWO

MAT106 – Math for Business and Finance (3 credits)
Percentages; discounts; interest; present worth; sinking funds; installment buying; pricing; depreciation; investments; insurance; use of symbols and their applications, equations and formulas; importance of statistics.

PCM106 – PC Hardware 2 (3 credits)
This course provides the student with more sophisticated techniques in PC repair, including external i/o devices, printers, notebooks/laptops/PDAs, purchasing and building PCs, troubleshooting, support, virus protection, data protection, and recovery.

PCM107 – PC Operating Systems (3 credits)
Describes the use of software for virus protection, data protection and recovery, and gives a systematic overview of operating systems, including an array of Windows® systems, such as 9x, ME, NT, 2000, and XP, and Apple® Computers.

HUM106 – Interpersonal Communication (1 credit)
Developing more effective personal communication skills to increase chances for professional success; increasing skills levels involving the use and selection of words, gestures, tone of voice, facial expressions, listening skills, as well as overall physical appearance.

CSC111– PC Applications(3 credits)
The course gives the student an understanding of the fundamentals of
PC applications software. Students gain proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software applications.

SSC130 – Essentials of Psychology (3 credits)
Biology and behavior; consciousness; memory; thought and language; intelligence; personality and gender; stress; community influences.

Proctored Examination*

SEMESTER THREE

INT128 – Network Protocols and Internetworking (3 credits)
Covers topics related to how computers communicate with each other, how computers are grouped together to form networks, networking concepts and issues that are key to the successful implementation of computer networks, and the different networking implementation strategies and technologies currently available.

INT125 – Internet Server Environments (3 credits)
Explores the fascinating world of Internet server environments, while teaching industry terminology, domain name registration techniques, and characteristics of Web-hosting services. Examines Unix servers, Windows® 2000 servers, and tools that are used to remotely connect to these servers. Covers the many features and elements involved when working with the Internet server environment.

ENG121 – Business and Technical Writing (3 credits)
Writing styles; ABC method of organizing material; grammar (parts of speech, active and passive voice, complete sentences vs. sentence fragments; parallel construction); using action verbs; constructing paragraphs; writing memos, business letters, and e-mails; organizing material; conducting research; documenting sources; outlining; providing illustrations; writing reports, proposals, descriptions, instructions, articles, and manuals.

INT130 – Internet Security (3 credits)
Explores Web security risks and how to minimize them; aimed at Web users, administrators, and content providers, and it covers cryptography, SSL, the Public Key
Infrastructure, digital signatures, digital certificates, privacy threats (cookies, log files, Web logs, Web bugs), hostile mobile code, and Web publishing (intellectual property, P3P, digital payments, client-side digital signatures, code signing, PICS).

INT120 – HTML Coding (3 credits)
Teaches how to create webpages with hypertext links, tables, frames,
and forms; covers cascading style sheets, programming with JavaScript,™ working with content and layout, controlling mouse and keyboard events, and creating new frames and windows.

SCI167 – Physical Science (3 credits)
Principles that define and govern the physical universe as we know it; chemistry; physics, earth, and space sciences.

Proctored Examination*

SEMESTER FOUR

INT215 – Programming in Java™ (3 credits)
Introduces object-oriented techniques early; features short code examples built from the bottom up; offers more thorough coverage of the basics, explanations and examples using the StringBuffer class; devotes an entire chapter to Swing; designed to teach Java® to those studying programming for the first time, but is also appropriate for those building on experiences in another programming language.

INT220 – Programming in CGI/Perl (3 credits)
Teaches how to create common gateway interface script (CGI) using practical extraction and report language, more commonly known as Perl; covers how to add functionality to webpages using features such as hyperlinks, forms, data files, and databases; create truly interactive Web applications using subroutines, string manipulation, cookies, hidden fields, and redirects.

ENG124 – Applied Research Skills (2 credits)
Directed research on topics related to employment searches. Access to the Internet is required.

General Education Elective (choose one)

HUM102 – Art Appreciation (3 credits)
Artistic media; historical periods and artistic movements; roles of the artist and the viewer; art criticism.

HUM104 – Music Appreciation (3 credits)
Appreciating music; roles of composer and listener; principles of music theory and instrumentation; historical periods; varying styles of music.

INT225 – Introduction to Database Technology (3 credits)
Offers an overview of essential database concepts, with a focus on the relational model of database management; covers Structured Query Language (SQL), design metho-dology, functions of a database management system, and database administration; includes advanced topics such as object-oriented (OO) databases, data warehouses, and client server systems.

INT242 – Advanced Database Technology-Oracle9i: SQL (3 credits)
Covers the design, implementation, and management of database systems; takes the student clearly and effectively through the entire process of database development and implementation.

Proctored Examination*

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.

* As a Degree candidate, you will take a proctored examination at the end of each semester. We make it easy because you pick the location and the person you want to supervise the examination, as long as Penn Foster College established policy and qualifications are met. Complete information packets, with procedures, will be provided well in advance, before completion of final semester coursework.

Note: Advanced standing student shipments may vary from the above schedule.

A High School Diploma or GED is required to enroll in this program. Although this outline covers all four semesters of the PC Maintenance Technology Degree Program, you receive lesson materials for each semester as you enroll.

Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

IBM is a trademark of IBM Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Pentium is a trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Apple is a trademark of Apple Computer Inc. registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.