IT Fundamentals for Business Professionals: Hardware from edX

This course is one of the 5 courses of an introductory business information systems series, designed to introduce you to the amazing world of Information Technology.

The series of courses is designed so that a professional in a field outside the information technologies (financial, administrative or managerial) acquires the basic knowledge in Information Technology to be able to interact more profitably with the computer and telecommunications specialists of your company or other corporations with which you are related, being able to specify requirements, evaluate workloads and monitor results in a much more effective way.

The syllabus of the series is based on the CLEP Information Systems and Computer Applications exam.

In this course you will learn the basic hardware concepts on which information systems and communications networks are based

By completing the series of 5 courses, you will be prepared to interact effectively with specialists in the Information Technology sector (and pass the CLEP ISCA exam if you wish).

What you'll learn

You will learn about:

Computer peripherals and telecommunications and network devices
Functions carried out by computer hardware, communications hardware and network hardware
Client /server architectures
Wireless communication devices (mobile, satellite, GPS)
Digital representation of information (text, numbers, multimedia) and use of the binary system
Local and Enterprise Area Network Architectures

What's inside

Learning objectives

Computer peripherals and telecommunications and network devices
Functions carried out by computer hardware, communications hardware and network hardware
Client /server architectures

Wireless communication devices (mobile, satellite, gps)
Digital representation of information (text, numbers, multimedia) and use of the binary system
Local and enterprise area network architectures

Computer peripherals and telecommunications and network devices
Functions carried out by computer hardware, communications hardware and network hardware
Client /server architectures
Wireless communication devices (mobile, satellite, gps)
Digital representation of information (text, numbers, multimedia) and use of the binary system
Local and enterprise area network architectures

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces basic hardware concepts on which information systems and communications networks are based

Helps professionals in fields outside information technologies acquire basic knowledge in the subject

Provides a foundation for interacting effectively with specialists in the Information Technology sector

Covers computer peripherals, telecommunications and network devices, and their functions

Explores client/server architectures and wireless communication devices

Examines digital representation of information and use of the binary system

Reviews summary

Recommended hardware course for business professionals

Learners say this fundamentals of hardware course is well designed for beginners and includes engaging assignments that boost their learning.

Suitable for learners with little to no prior knowledge in IT.

"This course is very well designed to make a beginner understand the fundamentals of Information Technology."

"It's easy to understand by watching videos."

"For all levels, although you can also do it if you have any idea."

Assignments are engaging and help reinforce learning.

"It's good to do assignments and listen to the class ... Required these type of assignments and classes in coming days"

"This course really tells me what is computer its necessary information about itself."

"The exams are quite interesting."

Some learners found the instructor's pronunciation difficult to understand.

"Some places the pronunciation of the instructor is difficult to understand"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in IT Fundamentals for Business Professionals: Hardware with these activities:

Read 'Introduction to Information Systems' by Ralph Stair and George Reynolds

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Provide foundational knowledge in information systems concepts, laying the groundwork for understanding the role of hardware in information systems discussed in the course.

View Fundamentals of Information Systems on Amazon

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Read Chapters 1-3 to gain an overview of information systems, their components, and the role of hardware in information processing.
Focus on Chapter 4, which delves into the hardware and software components of information systems.

Review basic hardware concepts

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Reinforce basic computer hardware concepts to prepare for the course's exploration of hardware's role in information systems and communication networks.

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Revisit the components of a computer system, including processors, memory, storage devices, and input/output devices.
Review the principles of data representation and digital logic.

Practice identifying hardware components and their functions

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Strengthen the understanding of different hardware components and their roles in computer systems and networks.

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Use online quizzes or flashcards to test knowledge of hardware components, such as motherboards, processors, and memory modules.
Practice identifying the functions of various hardware devices, such as network cards, modems, and printers.

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Career center

Learners who complete IT Fundamentals for Business Professionals: Hardware will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Computer Systems Analyst

Computer Systems Analysts are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining computer systems. They work with users to determine their needs and then design and implement systems that meet those needs. They also monitor systems to ensure that they are running smoothly and make changes as needed. This course would be helpful for Computer Systems Analysts because it would provide them with a strong foundation in the hardware and software that is used in computer systems. This knowledge would help them to design and implement systems that are more efficient and effective.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Systems Analyst

Network Administrator

Network Administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of computer networks. They install and maintain network hardware and software, and they troubleshoot and resolve network problems. This course would be helpful for Network Administrators because it would provide them with a strong foundation in the hardware and software that is used in networks. This knowledge would help them to install, maintain, and troubleshoot networks more effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer Hardware Engineers design, develop, and test computer hardware components. They work with other engineers to create new computer systems and products. This course would be helpful for Computer Hardware Engineers because it would provide them with a strong foundation in the hardware that is used in computers. This knowledge would help them to design and develop hardware that is more efficient and effective.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Hardware Engineer

Information Technology Specialist

Information Technology Specialists provide technical support to users of computer systems. They help users with a variety of problems, such as installing software, troubleshooting hardware problems, and recovering lost data. This course would be helpful for Information Technology Specialists because it would provide them with a strong foundation in the hardware and software that is used in computer systems. This knowledge would help them to provide more effective technical support to users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Technology Specialist

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers write and maintain computer programs. They work with users to determine their needs and then write programs that meet those needs. This course would be helpful for Computer Programmers because it would provide them with a strong foundation in the hardware and software that is used in computer systems. This knowledge would help them to write programs that are more efficient and effective.

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Computer Support Specialist

Computer Support Specialists provide technical support to users of computer systems. They help users with a variety of problems, such as installing software, troubleshooting hardware problems, and recovering lost data. This course would be helpful for Computer Support Specialists because it would provide them with a strong foundation in the hardware and software that is used in computer systems. This knowledge would help them to provide more effective technical support to users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Support Specialist

Database Administrator

Database Administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of databases. They create and maintain databases, and they ensure that data is stored securely and efficiently. This course would be helpful for Database Administrators because it would provide them with a strong foundation in the hardware and software that is used in databases. This knowledge would help them to create and maintain databases more effectively.

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Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites. They work with clients to determine their needs and then design and develop websites that meet those needs. This course would be helpful for Web Developers because it would provide them with a strong foundation in the hardware and software that is used in web development. This knowledge would help them to design and develop websites that are more efficient and effective.

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IT Auditor

IT Auditors evaluate the security of computer systems and networks. They identify and assess risks to systems and networks, and they make recommendations for how to mitigate those risks. This course would be helpful for IT Auditors because it would provide them with a strong foundation in the hardware and software that is used in computer systems and networks. This knowledge would help them to identify and assess risks more effectively.

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Computer Network Architect

Computer Network Architects design and implement computer networks. They work with clients to determine their needs and then design and implement networks that meet those needs. This course would be helpful for Computer Network Architects because it would provide them with a strong foundation in the hardware and software that is used in computer networks. This knowledge would help them to design and implement networks that are more efficient and effective.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work with users to determine their needs and then design and develop applications that meet those needs. This course may be helpful for Software Engineers because it would provide them with a basic understanding of the hardware and software that is used in computer systems. This knowledge may help them to design and develop software applications that are more efficient and effective.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data. They work with clients to determine their needs and then collect and analyze data to meet those needs. This course may be helpful for Data Analysts because it would provide them with a basic understanding of the hardware and software that is used in data analysis. This knowledge may help them to collect and analyze data more efficiently and effectively.

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Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts protect computer systems and networks from unauthorized access and attack. They work with clients to identify and assess risks to systems and networks, and they make recommendations for how to mitigate those risks. This course may be helpful for Information Security Analysts because it would provide them with a basic understanding of the hardware and software that is used in computer systems and networks. This knowledge may help them to identify and assess risks more effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Computer Sales Representative

Computer Sales Representatives sell computer hardware and software to businesses and individuals. They work with clients to determine their needs and then recommend hardware and software that meets those needs. This course may be helpful for Computer Sales Representatives because it would provide them with a basic understanding of the hardware and software that is available. This knowledge may help them to sell products that are more appropriate for their clients' needs.

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Computer Technician

Computer Technicians install, maintain, and repair computer hardware and software. They work with clients to determine their needs and then recommend hardware and software that meets those needs. This course may be helpful for Computer Technicians because it would provide them with a basic understanding of the hardware and software that is used in computer systems. This knowledge may help them to install, maintain, and repair computer systems more effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Technician