Program Outline
You can complete this program in as few as 6 months.
Your distance learning program consists of six courses designed to take you step-by-step through the knowledge and skills you’ll use in your new career. Your first unit is available online only, which allows you to start studying right away. You will not receive hardcopy program materials for these lessons. You can access your first course as soon as your tuition payment has been received. Other courses will follow as you complete your exams.
Graduates of the PC Maintenance and Repair Program also earn 15 credits toward an Associate Degree in PC Maintenance Technology at Penn Foster College.
Here is an overview of what you’ll learn and the order in which you’ll receive your courses. To view a sample lesson, click here.
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PCM101 - The Information Age
This course is a brief introduction to the constantly changing world of computer technology in the Information Age.
Objectives:
- Describe the social and professional impact and importance of technology.
- Recognize some basics of the language technology.
- Identify career opportunities related to technology.
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PCM103 - Introduction to PC Repair
This course provides the student with a broad view of PC Maintenance and Repair, focusing on the essential elements of hardware and software, as well as the importance of safety.
Objectives:
- Describe the physical parts (hardware) and the programs that run the computer (software).
- Understand how hardware and software work together.
- Identify the essential knowledge and skills to be a successful computer support technician.
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PCM105 - PC Hardware 1
Learn the parts of the computer that are considered the hardware.
Objective:
- Identify and describe the system board, central processing unit, read-only and random access memory, disk drives, hard drive, and CD and DVD drives.
Prerequisite: Introduction to PC Repair
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PCM106 - PC Hardware 2
This course provides the student with more sophisticated techniques in PC repair.
Objectives:
- Support mobile computing devices such as laptops, netbooks, smart phones, tablets, and iPads.
- Purchase and build PCs.
- Troubleshoot, support, protect, and recover PCs.
Prerequisite: PC Hardware 1
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Additional Course Materials
DVDs: Personal Computer Repair
Personal Computer Assembly
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PCM107 - PC Operating Systems
Discover how operating systems communicate with each computer hardware device, display data on the monitor, and retrieve and store information on the disk drive.
Objectives:
- Perform standard operating and maintenance procedures.
- Learn about computer viruses and how to avoid them.
- Examine how Windows® and Apple® operating systems work.
- Configure Windows® 7 with simulation software.
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Additional Course Material
Software: Lab Sim Configuring Windows® 7
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INT128 - Network Protocols and Internetworking
In this course, you’ll learn how computers communicate with each other and how to form networks.
Objectives:
- Learn network fundamentals.
- Discover how local area networks and wide area networks work.
- Understand how to maintain, troubleshoot, and secure a network.
- Become familiar with the devices used for connecting networks.
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Additional Course Material
Textbook: Cisco Networking Essentials
Computer Specifications
You will need access to a Microsoft® Windows® based computer running Windows XP or later, high-speed Internet, and an email account to complete your program with Penn Foster.
We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.
Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation registered in the United States
of America and/or other jurisdictions.
Apple, Mac, and OS X are trademarks of Apple, Inc registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.