| 9a. Catalog Description: |
| An introduction to the hardware and software components of basic computer systems. A review of historical, social and cultural implications of computer technology in today’s society. Course content will include “hands-on” familiarization with a computer operating system and common application software. Additionally, the course includes an introduction to computer programming using the Visual Basic .Net language. Students will learn to develop problem specifications, detailed analysis, design algorithms, and construct structured computer programs. |
| 9b. Other Catalog information: |
| None |
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| 10. Student Performance Objectives: |
As a result of successful completion of this course, a student will be able to:
1. Comprehend a computer's operation, organization, function, and programming.
2. Recognize and apply the concepts of application programs and operating systems.
3. Be able to select appropriate hardware and software for the PC.
4. Analyze a problem and design a solution for that problem.
5. Write program code for the problem solution.
6. Debug and test the coded solution for syntax and logic errors.
7. Document the process of the problem solution. |
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| 11. Methods of Evaluating Student Achievement: |
1. Written examinations, which require the student to demonstrate the knowledge of computer principles, applications, terminology, and problem-solving using a programming language as the tool.
2. Lab assignments requiring the student to demonstrate proficiency in the use of computer topics, a programming language and the system development process.
3. Class discussions |
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| 12. Student Assignments (Homework): |
| |
| a. Required Reading Assignments: |
| Approximately 25-35 pages per week from required textbooks |
| |
| b. Required Writing Assignments: |
1. Demonstration of basic understanding and use of common application software.
2. The construction of programs in the Visual Basic .Net language and the accompanying documentation. |
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| c. Other (Terms projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) |
| Assigned computer related projects |
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| 13. Course Content Outline: |
The scope of this class requires the student to examine and apply the principles of information processing. Students will be required to analyze, evaluate, compare and contrast the following concepts, characteristics, and techniques.
I. Introduction to Information Processing
A. Fundamental Computer Concepts
1. Computer Capabilities
2. Types of Computer Processing
3. Hardware versus Software
B. Hardware
1. System Unit (CPU: Control Unit & Arithmetic/Logic Unit, Primary Storage), Secondary Storage, Input, Output
2. Classifications of Computer Systems - Microcomputers, Minicomputers, Mainframe computers, Supercomputers, Local Area Networks, Wide Area Networks, Intranet, and Internet.
C. Software
1. The Stored Program Concept
2. Programs - Applications Software versus Systems Software
3. Operating Systems
D. Data
1. Data versus Information
2. Data Organization: Fields (Numeric, Alphabetic, Alphanumeric), Records, Files, and Databases
E. People
1. Social Implications of Computers
2. Cultural Implications of Computers
3. History of Computer Technology
II. Computer Hardware
A. Data Representation and Organization
1. Number Systems Overview (binary, decimal, and hexadecimal)
2. Digital Electronics
3. Binary number system
4. Binary Digits
5. Quantifying bits and bytes (kilo-, mega-, giga-, tera-, and exa-)
B. Data Encoding Schemes
1. EBCDIC
2. ASCII
3. UNICODE
4. Parity Bit - Code Checking
C. Microcomputer Architecture
1. Microprocessor basics
2. Performance factors
3. System Unit (drives, bays, ports)
4. System Start-up (P.O.S.T. and Bootstrap)
D. Memory Technologies
1. Memory Chips
2. RAM
3. ROM (PROM, EPROM, EEPROM)
4. CMOS
5. CACHE
6. Virtual Memory
E. Storage Technologies
1. Hard Disk
2. Removable Hard Disk
3. Floppy Disk
4. Tape
5. PC Cards
6. RAID
7. Optical Disk
8. Compact Disk
9. Digital Video Disk
10. Other types of Storage
F. Input and Output
1. Display Devices
a. CRT vs. LCD technologies
b. Active vs. Passive Matrix
c. Resolution standards - Dot pitch, Color depth
2. Printers
a. Ink Jet
b. Laser Technology
c. Impact
d. Other (Thermal wax transfer, dye sublimation)
3. Scanners and Digital Cameras
a. Flat-bed and hand-held scanners
b. Automated bar code readers
c. Digital photography as an input media
4. Source Data Automation
a. Handwriting/script input
b. Voice recognition
c. Touch-sensitive screens/kiosks
d. OCR - Optical Character Recognition
e. MICR - Magnetic Ink Character Recognition
5. Other Special-Purpose Equipment
III. Computer Software
A. Operating Systems
1. Categories - desktop, network, and mainframe
2. Capabilities
a. Single user - desktop
b. Multi-user - network and mainframe
c. Multi-tasking - cooperative (desktop)
d. Multi-tasking - Preemptive (network and mainframe)
e. Multi-processing - all
3. Utilities
a. File management - filenames, folders, moving, copying and searching
b. System tools - formatting, de-fragmentation, backup/restore, scandisk, clean disk, firewall, anti-virus (see also section on storage in this document)
c. Interfaces - GUI, command line, menu
d. Language translators ( see section on programming in this document)
B. Applications Software
1. General Purpose
2. Special purpose
IV. Introduction to Programming
A. Program Development
1. Problem Definition
2. Analysis
3. Design (Flowcharts, Pseudocode, HIPO charts)
4. Programming code
5. Testing and debugging
6. Implementation
7. Documentation, internal and external
8. Assemblers, Compilers, Interpreters and Script Processing
B. Procedural Program coding using VB.Net
1. The procedural paradigm
2. Algorithms
3. Program Control Structures
a. Sequencing
b. Selection Statements
c. Iteration Statements
d. hierarchy
4. Types of data
a. Assignment
b. Operations
C. Object-Oriented Programming using VB.Net
1. The Object-Oriented paradigm
2. Object-Oriented design
3. Event driven operations
4. Messaging
V. Telecomminucations
A. Communications Media
1. Types of Media - Twisted pair, coaxial, fiber optic, & Wireless
2. Media Speed: Bits per second, bandwidth (broadband, narrowband)
3. Media Mode: Simple, Half-duplex, Full-duplex Transmission
4. Media Signal: Analog versus digital modems
B. Networks
1. Network Structures (LAN, MAN, WAN)
2. Networks topology - star, bus, ring and hybrid
3. Communications protocols
a. Parallel versus serial transmission
b. Synchronous versus Asynchronous transmission
c. Ethernet vs. Token ring
d. Packet switching
C. Communications Hardware (DTE, DCE)
D. Terminal Management Techniques
VI. Internet
A. Internet Browsers
1. World Wide Web
2. Plug-ins
3. Players
4. Cookies
B. Web Technologies
1. HTML / DHTML
2. XML
3. XHTML
4. Multi Media
C. Internet Protocols
1. TCP/IP
2. HTTP, FTP
3. MIME
4. POP, SMTP, IMAP (somewhere - email attachments)
D. Internet addresses
1. Client/server
2. URL
3. Domains
4. Search and Meta-search engines
E. Internet connections |
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| 14a. All textbooks, resources and other materials used in this course are: |
| College level
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| 14b. EXAMPLE texts, reading and resources:
|
Parsons & Oja. New Perspectives Computer Concepts, Comprehensive. 9th
Course Technology, 2006
| Knowlton, Thompson, Collings. Microsoft Visual Basic .2005 Basics.
Course Technology, 2006
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