You will need access to these resources:

Specialist networking laboratory with Cisco equipment or equivalent simulation software
Access to platforms that run Linux or Unix (in addition to Windows)

None.

Content will focus on:

ICT Systens
Differences between systems, software and enterprise solutions.
Different conceptual views of a system.

Hardware,
Operating system building blocks
System functions and characteristics
Memory management and protection
Memory types - static and dynamic:
Processor types:
Busses: Disk Drives, Removable Media:
I/O techniques - Serial / Parallel: Peripherals - Mice, Keyboards, Printers, Modems, Scanners
Basic Networking - Topologies, Protocols, Wireless:
Multimedia Aspects - Sound, MIDI, FM Synthesis, MP3, Video, VR, 3D Graphics.

Networks,
The OSI model (layers 1-7)
Network design and documentation
Ethernet routing and switching
Introduction to WANs and routers, architecture, CLI and configuration
TCP/IP, Routing in WANs, Network Troubleshooting

A PORTFOLIO weighted at 50%, Learning Outcomes 1-3.
A portfolio of exercises some theory based and some requiring reflection of use and applicability of theoretical concepts in the work environment of the learner (circa 3000 words)

A CASE STUDY length 3000 words weighted at 50%, Learning outcomes 4-6
This case study will examine a networking requirements and design of a solution.

A variety of learning strategies will be employed, including 48 hours of lectures and 48 hours of tutorial sessions.

Independent learning time will be based around reading, typically course text books, magazines, web sites etc, assignment work in the labs and revision for examination.

Tanenbaum, A.S, Modern Operating Systems, Prentice Hall, 2001, ISBN: 0130926418

White, R and Downs, T (2004) How Computers work 7th Edition, Que Publishing, ISBN: 0-7897-3033-2

(or later edition)

Communications and Networking: An Introduction, John Cowley, 2007, Springer, ISBN: 1-84628-488-0

Network Fundamentals, Dye et al, 2011 Cisco Press, ISBN-10: 1587133482