Computer Engineering Technician

Transcription

1 Computer Engineering Technician A competent Computer Engineering Technician is expected to: Possess theoretical and practical knowledge relating to the following: (a) Analysis (b) Design (c) Development (d) Testing (e) Implementation (f) Maintenance and support (g) Troubleshooting and repair of computer systems (both hardware and software) (h) Embedded systems and related devices In line with the above, candidates are expected to also show an: 1. Ability to comprehend and apply electrical/electronic engineering techniques and principles relating to the Design of application devices, interfacing hardware, memories and computer chips; 2. Ability to apply computer science techniques and principles relating to software engineering, computer programming artificial intelligence, robotics, computer networking, computer architecture and operating system. 1

2 The candidate applying to be trade tested for the Certificate of Competence should be in possession of the majority of the following knowledge, competencies & skills: Electronic Engineering Producing good technical reports in English and Maltese Applying mathematics to computer engineering Applying analytical, design and troubleshooting skills Dealing with electrical engineering concepts relating to electric circuits Conducting service and operations management techniques Dealing with Human Resource and Financial management Electronic Engineering Assembling analogue and digital electronic circuits Designing and producing PCBs for Electronic circuits Operating electronic and analogue systems Operating microprocessors and microcontrollers Troubleshooting board microprocessor based systems Operating electronic circuits and test them Operating interfacing to microcomputer/microprocessor systems Computer Architecture/Systems Handling conceptual design Conducting fundamental operational structure Handling the central processing unit Dealing with accessing addresses in memory Dealing with hardware devices, peripherals and Servers Operating systems (interface, hardware and user) Coordinating activities and computer resources Communication Networks Installing, testing and commissioning network cables and infrastructure Configuring network interfaces and protocols Handling design and implementation of different types of network 2

3 Operating the application and use of the Internet Configuring routers Configuring WAN and LAN Software Database Management Conducting maintenance in a computer platform Using database models Operating methods to store and retrieve data Controlling data access and enforcing data integrity Managing concurrency and restoring data Operating tools and devise to protect data Handling unauthorized access Operating bug-fixing of applications Computer Assembly Maintenance & Repair Assembling computer systems to agreed specifications Repairing monitors with particular focus on RGB and SMPSU sections Locating and replacing faults to component level in CRT systems Performing routine maintenance on printers Troubleshooting and repairing printers to module level Dealing with switch-mode power supplies Troubleshooting and repairing SMPS at component level 3

4 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Computer Engineering Technician 1. Introduction The following is a detailed description of the assessment criteria to be adopted by the Trade Testing Board (TTB) to reach a final decision on the award of a Certificate of Competence. 2. Trade Test The trade test is to be made up of the following components: 1. Practical Test (complemented with a technical report) 2. The Interview 3. Written Exam 4

5 The Board has agreed on the sequence of the test and the markings allocated to each specific component as indicated below: Component Mark Pass Mark Written % Interview % Practical % 5

6 The Written Component The topics included in the paper are those listed in the above list of competencies. The Interview Component All candidates will be called to an interview so that the Board will be able to assess the proficiency of the candidate in this particular field. The duration of the interview will be from 20 to 30 minutes during which the Board will have the opportunity to put forward questions related to: Behaviour Aptitude Work Experience Skills and knowledge Technical questions on topics listed in the beginning of this document The Board believes that the candidate should answer questions on the above topics with confidence while portraying technical skills and knowledge of the subject. 6

7 The Practical Component This session will be a 4-hour open book (including access to the internet) practical test during which the Candidate will be tested for the following: Ability to apply the theory learned too Analysing a situation (e.g. a business requirement for an Information System) and/or o Designing and implementing a solution (e.g. involving all the appropriate components of Hardware, software, etc) and/or o Diagnosing and fixing a bug ( in the case of operating system, software application, etc.) or o A fault (in the case of hardware, network setup, etc). Ability to carry out research Readiness to adhere to industry good and best practice, applicable standards and quality measures Completeness and quality of the end product/solution Report the approach, findings and solutions The practical normally takes the form of 3 questions from which students have to carry out 2. The three questions normally relate to: A Personal Computer which students have to setup/diagnose A business requirement which students have to understand and design a solution for Development and testing of an IT/S solution 7