Skip to main content

National College Credit Recommendation Service

Board of Regents  |  University of the State of New York

EdTech Institute, LLC (formerly The Sage Group, LLC) | Evaluated Learning Experience

A+ Essentials: Part 1 (225/1)*

Length: 
Version 1: 30 hours (15 weeks). Version 2: 30 hours (10 weeks).
Location: 
Various approved locations throughout the U.S.
Dates: 

Version 1: March 2007 - November 2009. Version 2: December 2009 - December 2018.

Instructional delivery format: 
Hybrid course/exam
Learner Outcomes: 

Version 1: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: describe the relationship between hardware and software; describe peripheral devices; distinguish between types of storage devices; identify the main motherboard components; describe how instructions and data are stored on the motherboard; discuss how the CPU works and communicates with other devices; describe hardware and software interaction; identify system resources; outline the steps in booting up a computer; identify the properties of electricity; safeguard a computer system against electrical damage; identify computer cases and form factors; determine power requirements; troubleshoot power supply problems; identify types of motherboards; identify components on the motherboard; assemble a computer; install the motherboard; troubleshoot the motherboard; install peripheral I/O devices; use ports and expansion slots for add-on devices; install and troubleshoot keyboards; install and troubleshoot pointing devices; install and troubleshoot video cards and monitors; describe the different kinds of memory and how each kind works; upgrade and troubleshoot memory; discuss the workings of a floppy drive; manage floppy drives by using commands and Windows; replace a defective floppy drive, and add a second drive; identify various hard drive technologies; organize the hard disk logically to hold data; install a hard drive; manage and troubleshoot hard drives; discuss the basics of SCSI technology and its components; compare SCSI hard drives to IDE drives; troubleshoot SCSI devices; install various multimedia devices; describe optical storage technologies; discuss tape drives; evaluate and install removable drives; describe the use of hardware devices for fault tolerance; troubleshoot multimedia and mass storage devices; explain how a modem works and how to install it; use the AT command set to control a modem; troubleshoot problems related to modems; discuss the role of a PC technician in troubleshooting and maintenance, and discuss the tools used; approach a troubleshooting problem; develop a preventive maintenance plan; use guidelines when purchasing a PC; prepare for assembling a PC; assemble a PC from separately purchased parts. Version 2: Students will be able to: discuss how operating systems work; describe various troubleshooting methods; utilize Windows interface tools; describe power supplies and connectors; follow procedures for working safely with electrical components; identify motherboards and CPUs; configure BIOS; monitor memory usage; examine bus settings; identify various types of expansion cards; attach a peripheral device; utilize data storage devices; connect video output and image input devices; and install and configure a local printer.

Instruction: 

Version 1: Major topics include: computer components; hardware and software interaction; electricity and power supplies; motherboards; supporting I/O devices; managing memory and floppy drives; hard drives; Small Computer System Interfact (SCSI); multimedia devices and mass storage; supporting modems; troubleshooting and maintenance; purchasing or building a PC; error messages; interrups; the PC technician. Version 2: Major topics include: omputer components; hardware and software interaction; electricity and power supplies; motherboards; supporting I/O devices; BIOS; hard drives; Small Computer System Interfact (SCSI); multimedia devices and mass storage; supporting modems; troubleshooting and maintenance; purchasing or building a PC; error messages; interrupts; the PC technician.

Credit recommendation: 

Version 1 and 2: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 1 semester hour in Information Technology (2/07) (12/09) (12/13 revalidation). *NOTE: Course numbers on transcripts may reflect different prefixes depending upon where a course is offered.

Top