Course description and requirements
This proposed course develops practical knowledge of pc & server hardware through guided instruction, supervised technical exercises, troubleshooting and documented projects.
Course code: HW-101 | Duration: 12 weeks | Workload: approximately 8–10 hours/week | Total: approximately 96–120 hours
Prerequisites: Basic computer skills
Delivery: Planned online lessons, virtual laboratories, graded assessments and instructor feedback.
Status: In development; not open for enrollment.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the technical principles covered in the course
- Configure and troubleshoot relevant systems in an authorized lab
- Apply safe operational practices and document results
- Evaluate a working implementation against defined requirements
- Communicate findings in a professional technical report
Detailed 12-week teaching plan
Week 1: Computer architecture
Lesson: Study the concepts, terminology, configuration steps, common failure modes and operational considerations for this topic.
Practical lab: Build or configure a relevant component in an isolated test environment; capture configuration details and verify the result.
Evidence: Submit a lab record containing the objective, steps, results, troubleshooting notes and a short reflection.
Week 2: Motherboards
Lesson: Study the concepts, terminology, configuration steps, common failure modes and operational considerations for this topic.
Practical lab: Build or configure a relevant component in an isolated test environment; capture configuration details and verify the result.
Evidence: Submit a lab record containing the objective, steps, results, troubleshooting notes and a short reflection.
Week 3: Processors
Lesson: Study the concepts, terminology, configuration steps, common failure modes and operational considerations for this topic.
Practical lab: Build or configure a relevant component in an isolated test environment; capture configuration details and verify the result.
Evidence: Submit a lab record containing the objective, steps, results, troubleshooting notes and a short reflection.
Week 4: RAM
Lesson: Study the concepts, terminology, configuration steps, common failure modes and operational considerations for this topic.
Practical lab: Build or configure a relevant component in an isolated test environment; capture configuration details and verify the result.
Evidence: Submit a lab record containing the objective, steps, results, troubleshooting notes and a short reflection.
Week 5: Power supplies
Lesson: Study the concepts, terminology, configuration steps, common failure modes and operational considerations for this topic.
Practical lab: Build or configure a relevant component in an isolated test environment; capture configuration details and verify the result.
Evidence: Submit a lab record containing the objective, steps, results, troubleshooting notes and a short reflection.
Week 6: Storage
Lesson: Study the concepts, terminology, configuration steps, common failure modes and operational considerations for this topic.
Practical lab: Build or configure a relevant component in an isolated test environment; capture configuration details and verify the result.
Evidence: Submit a lab record containing the objective, steps, results, troubleshooting notes and a short reflection.
Week 7: Cooling
Lesson: Study the concepts, terminology, configuration steps, common failure modes and operational considerations for this topic.
Practical lab: Build or configure a relevant component in an isolated test environment; capture configuration details and verify the result.
Evidence: Submit a lab record containing the objective, steps, results, troubleshooting notes and a short reflection.
Week 8: GPUs
Lesson: Study the concepts, terminology, configuration steps, common failure modes and operational considerations for this topic.
Practical lab: Build or configure a relevant component in an isolated test environment; capture configuration details and verify the result.
Evidence: Submit a lab record containing the objective, steps, results, troubleshooting notes and a short reflection.
Week 9: BIOS and UEFI
Lesson: Study the concepts, terminology, configuration steps, common failure modes and operational considerations for this topic.
Practical lab: Build or configure a relevant component in an isolated test environment; capture configuration details and verify the result.
Evidence: Submit a lab record containing the objective, steps, results, troubleshooting notes and a short reflection.
Week 10: Assembly and safety
Lesson: Study the concepts, terminology, configuration steps, common failure modes and operational considerations for this topic.
Practical lab: Build or configure a relevant component in an isolated test environment; capture configuration details and verify the result.
Evidence: Submit a lab record containing the objective, steps, results, troubleshooting notes and a short reflection.
Week 11: Hardware diagnostics
Lesson: Study the concepts, terminology, configuration steps, common failure modes and operational considerations for this topic.
Practical lab: Build or configure a relevant component in an isolated test environment; capture configuration details and verify the result.
Evidence: Submit a lab record containing the objective, steps, results, troubleshooting notes and a short reflection.
Week 12: System build project
Lesson: Study the concepts, terminology, configuration steps, common failure modes and operational considerations for this topic.
Practical lab: Build or configure a relevant component in an isolated test environment; capture configuration details and verify the result.
Evidence: Submit a lab record containing the objective, steps, results, troubleshooting notes and a short reflection.
Five graded practical assignments
Assignment 1 — Week 2: Motherboards
Task: Complete a practical implementation or investigation related to motherboards. Document the requirements, approach, evidence of operation, test results and any problems encountered.
Submission: Technical report, configuration evidence and supporting files where applicable.
Marking: Technical accuracy 40%, verification 25%, documentation 25%, safe practice 10%.
Assignment 2 — Week 4: RAM
Task: Complete a practical implementation or investigation related to ram. Document the requirements, approach, evidence of operation, test results and any problems encountered.
Submission: Technical report, configuration evidence and supporting files where applicable.
Marking: Technical accuracy 40%, verification 25%, documentation 25%, safe practice 10%.
Assignment 3 — Week 5: Power supplies
Task: Complete a practical implementation or investigation related to power supplies. Document the requirements, approach, evidence of operation, test results and any problems encountered.
Submission: Technical report, configuration evidence and supporting files where applicable.
Marking: Technical accuracy 40%, verification 25%, documentation 25%, safe practice 10%.
Assignment 4 — Week 8: GPUs
Task: Complete a practical implementation or investigation related to gpus. Document the requirements, approach, evidence of operation, test results and any problems encountered.
Submission: Technical report, configuration evidence and supporting files where applicable.
Marking: Technical accuracy 40%, verification 25%, documentation 25%, safe practice 10%.
Assignment 5 — Week 10: Assembly and safety
Task: Complete a practical implementation or investigation related to assembly and safety. Document the requirements, approach, evidence of operation, test results and any problems encountered.
Submission: Technical report, configuration evidence and supporting files where applicable.
Marking: Technical accuracy 40%, verification 25%, documentation 25%, safe practice 10%.
Midterm examination — Week 6
Proposed format: 90 minutes; multiple-choice, short-answer and scenario questions based on Weeks 1–5.
Skills assessed: Technical terminology, configuration decisions, troubleshooting and safe practice.
Actual exam questions, answer keys and marking guidance will be prepared in the instructor-only Moodle question bank.
Final examination — Week 12
Proposed format: 120 minutes; cumulative knowledge questions, troubleshooting scenarios and technical interpretation covering the full course.
Exam delivery, identity verification, accessibility accommodations and academic integrity procedures must be finalized before student assessment begins.
Capstone project
Project brief: Plan, assemble or simulate a computer build and document component compatibility.
Deliverables: Design plan, implementation evidence, testing checklist, results, troubleshooting record and final technical report.
Rubric: Design 20%, implementation 35%, testing 25%, documentation 20%.
Proposed grading
- Weekly quizzes — 10%
- Five practical assignments and labs — 25%
- Midterm examination — 20%
- Final examination — 20%
- Capstone project — 25%
Student preparation
A computer capable of running virtual machines or accessing an approved remote lab is recommended. Some courses may require additional RAM, storage, networking equipment or licensed software. Course-specific minimum requirements and accessible alternatives will be published before delivery.
All security testing must be limited to systems owned by the student or explicitly authorized for testing.
Academic status
This page describes a proposed curriculum. Instructors, tuition, assessment dates, enrollment and any required regulatory approvals are not yet established. No academic credit or professional certification is promised.