DCO10102 Introduction to Computer Systems

Credit Units: 3
Level: A1
Medium of Instruction: English

Course Aims
This course serves as an introduction to computing concepts. The course is designed to take a student from a beginning level and to look at the major concepts concerning computers including: hardware and software information, multimedia, computer networking and computer security.

Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1.           identify and describe the functions of basic software and hardware components, and the associated economic issues for organizational budgets;

2.           identify the use and operation of personal computer system, including data backup and recovery, to gain a solid foundation of IT skill;

3.           analyse and design web publishing applications for organizational content delivery;

4.           write and debug HTML Web; and

5.           describe data encryption and compression techniques for data sent over the network or Internet to achieve business efficiency.

Keyword Syllabus:
Basic computer units: bits.  Bytes and megahertz.  Moore’s Law.  Brand names and industry.  Hardware architecture: input/output storage.  Memory management.  Process management.  Command processors.  Operating Systems.  Scripting.  File System.  Application software.  Utility software.  Customization and software creation. Digital media. Client/server system.  Network application.  The Internet.  Data compression.  Encryption.  Backup.  Recovery.  Disaster planning.  Types of computer applications.  Future trends in IT.

Prerequisite(s): Nil.
Precursors(s): Nil.
Equivalent Course(s): DCO10110
Exclusive Course(s): Nil.
Course Duration: One Semester

Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs)
(Indicative of likely activities and tasks designed to facilitate students’ achievement of the CILOs. Final details will be provided to students in their first week of attendance in this course)

Types of TLAs

Hours per week (if applicable)

a. Lecture

2

b. Laboratory (Self-initiated tasks to practise skills and the idea of learning to learn)

1

c. Assignment: Project work (Apply skills learnt in web authoring tools and popular application software (e.g. MS-Office) to formulate and solve business problems, apply the ability of learning how to learn, and a passion in pursuing creativity)

1 (Students’ time)

d. Assignment: Case study ( Problem based learning (practise to think quantitatively and analyse problems critically)

1 (Students’ Time)

Assessment Tasks/Activities
(Indicative of likely activities and tasks designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs. Final details will be provided to students in their first week of attendance in this course)

Type of assessment tasks/activities

%

Remarks

The coursework may include tests and/or continuous assessment of the assignments.  The examination is close book which will test how far students have been able to understand, evaluate and apply the knowledge and techniques that they have learned.

i. Examination

60%

2 hours

ii. Laboratory

10%

 

iii. Assignment

20%

 

iv. Test

10%

e.g. short questions or multiple choice

Assessment Schedule

Examination (%):60%

Duration (Hrs): 2

Coursework (%):40%

Participation(%):Nil

Grading Mode: Standard (A+AA-…F)

 

Related Links
Division of Computer Studies