Computer Engineering Course And Certification

What is Computer Engineering?

Computer Engineering is a branch of engineering that combines computer science and electronic engineering for the development and maintenance of computer hardware and software. 

Three Hundred years back in history, great philosophers and mathematicians like Leibnitz, Pascal, Boole and Babbage started the foundation of computing with their discoveries.

A notable scientist with the name John Von Neuman describe computer hardware in five major parts:

1. The Central Processing Unit (CPU), 

2. Input Unit,

3. Output Unit,

4. Working Memory and 

5. Permanent Memory. 

There are many types of Computers under these major categories namely; Personal Computers, Server Computers, Mainframe Computers.  Here we will dive into Personal Computer - the most popular and commonly used which is also known as PC.

In 1981 PC - Personal Computer was established by IBM and it has had effect on communication. IBM built the PC with an Intel processor and also on Microsoft Simple Disk Operating System (MS DOS). Later on other companies like Compaq, AST etc also came into the scene and went on to develop their own hardware components.

A typical PC Unit consist of a Monitor, System Unit, Keyboard, Mouse and sometimes other peripherals like Scanners, Printers, Speakers etc.

The Outside of the System Unit:

1. CD-ROM Drive Bay,

2. Diskette Drive Bay,

3. Power and Reset Button.

4. Computer Casing

5. Keyboard

6. Mouse

The Inside of the System Unit: 

1. The Motherboard 

2. The Processor

3. The Random Acess Memory (RAM),

4. Read Only Memory (ROM) chips which contain BIOS and Start-up programs.

5. Ports (PS2, USB etc)

6. Busses and Expansion slots which are for expansion cards (graphics cards, network controllers, sound and video cards, TV cards ISDN cards etc).

The Start-up and Booting processes happens when you turn the power on, you will hear the fan motor first  and then the texts  starts scrolling on the screen, then the RAM test, you then receive command from ROM which will give you the POST and Basic Input Output System (BIOS) instructions. The operating system is read next from the hard drive. 

Personal Computers - PC's run on system software which is also known as the operating system, there are various of them in the market. The operating system works hand in hand with the BIOS which is found in the ROM chip to help communicate with the hardware with the help of device drivers.

Device drivers are group of files or program that operates or controls each device attached to the computer. Every device has its own driver that helps it function with the operating system. In order words, drivers enables hardware devices to communicate smoothly with computers operating system.  

Advantages of Studying Computer Engineering: 

Some of the advantages include:

1. Studying Computer Engineering helps to understand the software and hardware structure, design and architecture.

2. Studying Computer Engineering helps you develop relevant engineering skills in computing.

3.  Studying Computer Engineering gives engineers tremendous job security and opportunity compare to other professions because of the demand in use of computer.

4. Studying Computer Engineering helps one to acquire logical thinking and critical analysis skills.

5. It develops your technical thinking and thought process in computing.

6. It will help you develop problem solving skills.

7. It improves your knowledge in creating solutions to computer problems.

8. It helps to understand the techniques in computer software installation.

9. It helps you understand and troubleshoot basic computer problems.

10. It helps increase efficiency and productivity of your computer.

11. It helps to elongate the life span use of your computer. 

12. It helps you to save money if you know how to fix your own computer.

13. It provides self employment opportunity

14. It provides job opportunity and security.

How To Build/Couple a PC:    

1. Get Your Engineering Tools such as: 2 Phillips-head (cross-shaped) Screwdriver, Set of Needle-nose pliers, Anti-static Wrist Strap, Flashlight, Electrical tape etc.  

2. Get the Components of Computer or PC such as: the inside unit and outside unit i.e Case, Motherboard, Keyboard, Mouse, RAM, CDROM, Processor, CPU Cooling Fan, Hard Drive etc.

3. We first install the Motherboard shield before installing the Motherboard, then

4. We install the Processor before installing the CPU cooling fan, then

5. We install the RAM and then

6. The Graphics Card then

7. We can install other Expansion Cards followed by

8. The Storage Drives i.e Hard drive, then 

9. We install Optical Drives such CD ROM followed by

10. The Power Supply Unit,

11. We can then install the Case. 

12. We can now boot the computer after which,

13. We can install Operating System using a Flash Drive or CD Drive. 

Computer Engineering Study:

In the Full course you will learn everything you need to know about Computer Engineering from the Fundamentals of Building a PC, to Repairs and Maintenance. You will fully understand the Computer Structure and Architecture. You will be a Competent Computer Engineer with Diploma Certificate to showcase your knowledge and competence. 

Duration: Study At Your Own Pace

Course: Diploma

Computer Engineering Course Outline: 

Computer Engineering - Introduction To the PC

Computer Engineering - Guide to Mother board

Computer Engineering - Operating System

Computer Engineering - The RAM

Computer Engineering - The Start up Process

Computer Engineering - Setup Program

Computer Engineering - Introduction to Busses

Computer Engineering - The PCI

Computer Engineering - The PCI BUS

Computer Engineering - Clock CPU

Computer Engineering - Pentium Pro

Computer Engineering - CIRS and RISC

Computer Engineering - Chips Per Module

Computer Engineering - Pentium classic

Computer Engineering - Hard Disk

Computer Engineering - CD ROM

Computer Engineering - DVD ROM

Computer Engineering - System Software

Computer Engineering - Control of Hardware

Computer Engineering - Protect Mode

Computer Engineering - Screen Image

Computer Engineering - Refreshing Screen

Computer Engineering - Building a PC

Computer Engineering - Computer Repairs

Computer Engineering - Windows Installation 

Computer Engineering - Exams and Certification