Program Outline
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. All previous college work must have been completed with a grade of "C" or better, and as much as 75% 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 Microsoft® Windows®-based computer to complete this program. Penn Foster recommends the following as minimum specifications: Pentium® II or better processor, using Microsoft® Windows® XP or later. You will also need access to the Internet and Microsoft® Office 2007 to complete portions of this program.
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 email 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
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
included
CSC107 – Introduction to Microsoft® Windows® (3
Credits)
Introduction
to Windows® XP;
Using Windows® XP; Managing
and Supporting
Windows® XP; Advanced Windows® XP; Troubleshooting.
SSC130 – Essentials of Psychology (3 credits)
Biology and behavior; consciousness; memory; thought and language; intelligence; personality and gender; stress; community influence.
Proctored
Examination*
|
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.
CSC104 – Computer Applications (3 credits)
Computer and Internet basics; computer hardware and software; digital electronics and file management; introduction to Windows®; pc applications in word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software.
SCI 167 – 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 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.
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
String Buffer 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 - Oracle & 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 on selected courses within that semester. We make it easy because you pick the location and the person you want to supervise the exam, as long as Penn Foster College's 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.