1. Introduction to Computer Hardware and Software

This beginner’s course gives newbies a solid grounding in the history of computers plus a breakdown of how key components like CPUs work and what basic cyber security is.

2. How to Build Your Own Computer

Yes, you really can build a PC if you understand what components you need. This course also shows you how to install an operating system (OS) and maintain your new machine.

3. Diploma in Building and Installation of Embedded Systems

Embedded systems are a combination of hardware and software brought together to fulfil a specific function (for example, a smoke alarm). These systems are based on microcontrollers or microprocessors and this course breaks it all down for you.

Simply speaking, hardware is the physical parts of the computer that you can actually see and touch like a mouse, keyboard, CPU (central processing unit), various sound and graphics cards, RAM (random access memory) and even the monitor or screen. Software is all the coding or instructions that make the hardware run and allow us to use a functional computer. You can’t have one without the other!

While everyone is familiar with software coders, programmers and developers, hardware specialists play a very important role in building, maintaining and upgrading computer systems. Some career openings include:

• Computer hardware support

• Computer hardware technician

• Hardware analyst

• Hardware specialist

• Hardware networking

• Maintenance and repair