Overview
Objectives
Materials
Grading
Exams
ELI Policies and Procedures
Contacting the Instructor
Beginning the Course
Weekly Course Outline
 
 
 

OVERVIEW
	This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of microcomputer architecture, including hardware and system software. The major hardware components will be covered as well as operating system functions. Top
OBJECTIVES
	At the end of this course, you will be able to:   Explain microprocessors and their instruction set as they relate to microcomputer architecture.  Explain input/output interfaces as they relate to microcomputer architecture.  Explain memory (RAM and ROM) and techniques of memory management as they relate to microcomputer architecture.  Explain how microcomputer peripheral devices including monitors, keyboards, printers and modems work and how they interface with the processing unit.  Explain how data are represented in microcomputers. (binary, hexadecimal, ASCII)  Explain how storage devices work and how they interface with the processor unit.  Discuss the functions of a microcomputer operating system as it relates to the architecture.  Discuss the functions of a microcomputer operating system as it relates to applications software. Top
MATERIALS
	You may purchase the textbook for this course at any of the five NVCC bookstores. See ELI Policies and Procedures for locations and phone numbers. You may also purchase your textbook by mail by calling (888) 744-7839. Purchasing textbooks by mail takes longer, so order your book early.  For this course, the following text is required:  Systems Architecture – Hardware and Software in Business Information Systems By Steven Burd Second Edition ISBN: 0-7600-4960-2 Top
GRADING
	Assignment Possible Points Percent of Final Grade Introductory Letter 0 points 0 Websites  13 points 10  Exams  400points   90% Grading Scale A 90-100 points 90-100 percent B 80-89 points 80-89 percent C 70-79 points 70-79 percent D 60-69 points 60-69 percent F Fewer than 60 points Less than 60 percent Top
EXAMS
	You must take the exams at one of the five NVCC campus Testing Centers. See ELI Policies and Procedures for locations and phone numbers and information about proctors for students who live outside the Northern Virginia area. Call the Testing Center before you go to make sure they will be open and will stay open long enough for you to complete the exams. Take along a photo ID and the appropriate Exam Pass. The exams are given after 3 to 4 chapters. The exam consists of 50 multiple choice or true/false questions. The exam will cover the vocabulary and review questions from the textbook and the study questions listed on the assignment page for that exam. Top
ELI POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
	This is an Extended Learning Institute (ELI) course. ELI courses differ from campus courses in several important ways, including enrollment dates, communication with faculty, assignment completion requirements, and exams. You must follow ELI's policies and procedures if you take this course. Read (or review) ELI's Policies and Procedures before you begin the course.  ACCESS TO STUDENT ELECTRONIC MAIL (E-MAIL):  All NOVA students are given an e-mail account. To send homework assignments and questions to me you can either use your personal email account or your student email account. For information on how to use your student email account, go to the web site for Access to Student E-Mail. Top
CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR
	INSTRUCTOR: Paula Worthington LOCATION: Annandale Campus – CC Building Room 220 PHONE:  703-323-3264 EMAIL ADDRESS: PWorthington@nvcc.edu Top
BEGINNING THE COURSE
	To log on to the course conference, click here and follow these instructions: When prompted for a user name and password:   If you registered BEFORE April 15, 2001, your course user name is usually your first initial and last name, all in lower case. Your password is your nine-digit student number (usually your Social Security number). For example, Clarice Smith, with student number 452290458, would have the course user name csmith and the password 452290458.   If you registered AFTER April 15, 2001, your course user name is your first initial, last name, and the last 4 digits of your student number, all in lower case. Your password is your nine-digit student number (usually your Social Security number). For example, Clarice Smith, with student number 452290458, would have the course user name csmith0458 and the password 452290458.   Course Conference Logon SENDING HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS:  Once you complete the introductory letter and locate the websites, you need to email the letter and website locations to me at PWorthington@nvcc.edu SOLUTION TO VOCABULARY AND REVIEW QUESTIONS:  The solution to the vocabulary and review questions at the end of the chapter can be found at the Student Support web site for the textbook.  You will need to enter a username and password mailed to you from ELI. (To view the solutions to the vocabulary questions, once at the web site CLICK on the asterisks). It is recommended that you attempt to answer the questions before checking the solutions. If you have any questions about the solutions for the vocabulary and review questions, email me at PWorthington@nvcc.edu INTRODUCTORY LETTER:  You are to submit an introductory letter indicating your background, career plans, goals that relate to this course, and why you enrolled in the course. WEB SITES:  The student support web site has many web site links that give further explanation of topics covered in each chapter. You are to locate additional web sites for each chapter. The web sites listed in the student support site and the sites located by the students in the course will be listed on each weekly assignment page, you are to use them to help you understand the material in the chapter.   Top
WEEKLY COURSE OUTLINE
	Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 Top
Week 1 – Introductory Letter and Systems Architecture: An Introduction  Write and submit Introductory Letter Read and Study Chapter 1 – Systems Architecture: An Introduction Complete Vocabulary and Review Questions Locate and Submit one web site that explains any of the topics covered in Chapter 1. Chapter 1 Assignment Page Back
	Week 2 – Computer Hardware   Read and Study Chapter 2 – Computer Hardware Complete Vocabulary and Review Questions Locate and Submit one web site that explains any of the topics covered in Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Assignment Page Back
	Week 3 – Computer Software Read and Study Chapter 3 – Computer Software Complete Vocabulary and Review Questions Locate and Submit one web site that explains any of the topics covered in Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Assignment Page Back
	Week 4 – Exam 1 Review Week 4 Assignment Page to find out what to expect and how to prepare for the exam. Take Exam 1 (Systems Architecture: An Introduction, Computer Hardware, Computer Software). Back
	Week 5 – Data Representation Read and Study Chapter 4 – Data Representation Complete Vocabulary and Review Questions Locate and Submit one web site that explains any of the topics covered in Chapter 4. Chapter 4 Assignment Page Back
	Week 6 – Processor Technology and Architecture Read and Study Chapter 5 – Processor Technology and Architecture Complete Vocabulary and Review Questions Locate and Submit one web site that explains any of the topics covered in Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Assignment Page Back
	Week 7 – Data Storage Technology Read and Study Chapter 6 – Data Storage Technology Complete Vocabulary and Review Questions Locate and Submit one web site that explains any of the topics covered in Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Assignment Page Back
	Week 8 – Exam 2 Review Week 8 Assignment Page to find out what to expect and how to prepare for the exam. Take Exam 2 (Data Representation, Processor Technology and Architecture, Data Storage Technology). Back
	Week 9 – System Integration and Performance Read and Study Chapter 7 – System Integration and Performance Complete Vocabulary and Review Questions Locate and Submit one web site that explains any of the topics covered in Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Assignment Page Back
	Week 10 – Data and Network Communication Technology Read and Study Chapter 8 – Data and Network Communication Technology Complete Vocabulary and Review Questions Locate and Submit one web site that explains any of the topics covered in Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Assignment Page Back
	Week 11 – Networks and Distributed Systems Read and Study Chapter 9 – Networks and Distributed Systems Complete Vocabulary and Review Questions Locate and Submit one web site that explains any of the topics covered in Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Assignment Page Back
	Week 12 – Exam 3  Review Week 12 Assignment Page to find out what to expect and how to prepare for the exam. Take Exam 3 – (System Integration & Performance, Data and Network Communication Technology, Networks and Distributed Systems). Back
	Week 13 – Input/Output Technology Read and Study Chapter 10 – Input/Output Technology Complete Vocabulary and Review Questions Locate and Submit one web site that explains any of the topics covered in Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Assignment Page Back
	Week 14 – Applications Technology Read and Study Chapter 11 – Applications Technology Complete Vocabulary and Review Questions Locate and Submit one web site that explains any of the topics covered in Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Assignment Page Back
	Week 15 – Operating Systems, Mass Storage Access and Management Read and Study Chapter 12 – Operating Systems Complete Vocabulary and Review Questions Locate and Submit one web site that explains any of the topics covered in Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Assignment Page Read and Study Chapter 13 – Mass Storage Access and Management Complete Vocabulary and Review Questions Chapter 13 Locate and Submit one web site that explains any of the topics covered in Chapter 13 Chapter 13 Assignment Page Back
	Week 16 – Exam 4 Review Week 16 Assignment Page to find out what to expect and how to prepare for the exam. Take Exam 4 (Input/Output Technology, Applications Development, Operating Systems, Mass Storage Access and Management). Back