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Computer Systems
(CSC 201 3.0 Cr)
Information Technology
Course Description
What is a computer system? Students in this
course are introduced to the organization
and architecture of computers. This course
examines the hardware components of a computer
system by addressing the following topics:
memory, the central processing unit, input
and output devices, auxiliary storage devices,
and communications devices. In addition, the
following software topics are investigated:
application software, system software, database
management systems and other types of systems,
programming languages, and program development.
This course also examines how systems are
analyzed and designed, as well as security,
ethics, and privacy issues.
Learning Objectives After completing this
course, students will be able to:
• Describe how computers work and are
used
• Assess hardware and software systems
• Understand the roles of the components
of computer systems
• Use computers to access information
and help people in the community
Breadth of Assignments
This course utilizes a variety of assignment
types to examine and illustrate computer systems
including textbook reading assignments, individual
flash-based presentations designed to present
the material in an illustrative way, web resources
provided to support particularly challenging
subject matter, self-assessment quizzes, collaborative
projects, discussion topics involving current
events and computer systems related news items,
and the creation of an electronic course-wide
portfolio.
Required Resources
Shelly, G. et al (2004). Discovering Computers
2004. Thomson Publishing. ISBN 0-7895-6704-0
Course Summary
Computer Systems
Information Technology
Module/Topics
Module 1: Course Introduction and
Introduction to Computer Systems
• The importance of computer literacy
• The hardware components of a computer
• The differences between web application
and systems software
• The four types of computers
Module 2: Application Software, World
Wide Web, and the Internet
• The differences between Web browsers
and search engines
• Comparing search engines
• Examining Web pages critically
• Illustrating how messages travel on
the Internet
• Graphic file formats
• How e-mail, FTP, Telnet, newsgroups,
mailing lists, and chat rooms work
• The rules of netiquette
Module 3: Central Processing Unit
and Memory
• The central processing unit, its parts
and functions
• Registers, cache, RAM and disks
• Strategies for using an on-line dictionary
or encyclopedia
• Examining a computer and determine
memory and processor specifications
• The circumstances for upgrading computer
hardware
• Identifying measures of computer speed
Module 4: Input Devices
• Source data automation
• The components and enhancements of
the keyboard
• Ergonomic influences on keyboards
• The latest manufacturing trends of
the digital camera
• The use of webcam sites
Module 5: Output Devices
• The different types of monitors
• Using the Web to locate information
about the Energy Star® program
• The difference among various types
of printers
• Using the Web to locate information
about software that enables the playing of
audio and video materials
• The environmental impact on disposing
of used computing equipment
Module 6: Auxiliary Storage Devices
• The make-up of a disk
• Compiling a list of high-capacity
floppies
• WORM storage
• How data is stored on disks and tapes
• Magnetic and optical disks
Module 7: Operating Systems and Utility
Programs
• The steps in booting a machine
• Open source
• Multitasking, multiprogramming, timesharing
• Differentiate between an operating
system and utility program
• The three different operating systems:
MAC OS, LINUX, WINDOWS
Module 8: Telecommunications
• The various media of networks
• The types of firewalls available
• Comparing connections to the Internet
including: ISDN, DSL, T-carrier, modem, cable
modem, and ATM
• Video conferencing web sites
Module 9: Types of Information Systems
• The six basic types of information
systems
• Define the term 'data integrity'
• Comparing hierarchical, network, and
relational database management systems
• Locating sites for object oriented
database management systems
• The various types of information systems
Module10: Analysis and Design
• The phases of the systems development
life cycle
• PERT charts
• Types of conversion
• Locating sites for CASE tools
• The various tools used for analysis
and design
Module 11: Program Development and
Programming Languages
• The concepts behind structured programming
• The uses of application generators,
macros, and RAD tools
• Explaining the approaches to program
development and programming languages
• Differentiating between compilers
and interpreters
• Creating a flow chart
Module 12: Multimedia and Social Issues
• The advantages and disadvantages of
distance learning
• Using online dictionaries and encyclopedias
to find definitions of "virus"
• The issues concerning the latest MP3
technology
• The use of multimedia replacement
for live lab experience
• Multimedia and social issues
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