Course Plan
Semester
:
Spring 13-14
Course No
:
BIT 121
Course Title
:
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Prerequisites
:
BIT 111
Course Type
:
Core IT
Faculty Member
:
Mr. Mohamed Zaki
e-mail:[email protected]
Office Hours
:
Monday, Wednesday : 11:30 to 1:00
Course Duration
:
# of Lectures/ Labs
:
2 per week
Class Duration
:
1 hr ; 30 min
1. Course Objectives:
The aim of the course is to support students to develop basic skills and knowledge of computer technology and its applications.
2. Learning Outcomes:
After successfully completing the module students should be able to:
LO1. Understand and manipulate the various number systems and their applications in computing
LO2. Describe and compare various I/O devices and peripherals available and
Evaluate their features in terms of relative speed and cost.
LO3. Explain the Von Neumann architecture used in simple systems
LO4. Describe how software is stored and executed in a computer
LO5. Describe Local and Wide Area Networks.
LO6. Use GUI and command line driven operating systems effectively and evaluate
Their relative merits
3. Assessment Weighting:
Class participation and attendance 10%
Assignments 20%
MidTerm Examination 20%
Presentation 10%
Final Examination 40%
4. Assessment Matrix:
Component
%
LO1
LO2
LO3
LO4
LO5
LO6
Format
Attendance & Contribution
10
X
X
X
X
X
X
Assignments
20
X
X
X
X
Midterm exam
20
X
X
X
presentation
10
X
X
Final Exam
40
X
X
X
X
X
5. Examination Marking Criteria
The questions in the midterm and Final Examination will test various aspects like knowledge, comprehension, application, analyses, synthesis/creation and evaluation. Reproducing what has been learned will not grantee a high pass mark in the course. It is required to demonstrate an ability to integrate all that has been learned in this subject with understanding and comprehension.
6. Scope and Focus of the Assignment(s)
In one of the assignments, the students will be taken to the computer lab and divided into groups of four or five where the lab technician will demonstrate to the students how the computer is disassembled and the reassembled again. Students will then practice assembling and disassembling the computer on their own.
In another assignment, each student is asked to visit local IT shops to inquire about the price and specifications of a certain device such as personal computer, laser printer, inkjet printer, or a scanner then the student needs to analyze the specifications and prices of the various types of devices and decide which one suites personal use/small office/large office, finally the student is required to give a class presentation explaining his/her findings and justifying his/her decision.
7. Scope and Focus of the Presentation
The student is required to give a class presentation explaining his/her findings and justifying his/her decision for the assignment above.
7.1 Presentation Assessment criteria
Evaluation Point
Total
Mark
Remarks
Introduction
5
The subject & presentation agenda should be identified clearly.
Contents
30
The subject should be interest to the audience. Topics should be covered.
Use of IT
15
Use of PowerPoint or any presentation software; timing, proficiency.
Language
10
Clear language with acceptable grammar level.
Communication skills
10
Anything that supports the delivery of data. Interaction between the presenter and the audience.
Confidence
10
Good personality, with clear voice and acceptable knowledge level.
Questions
20
Question response, student comments.
Total
100
8. Academic Integrity
Any kind of involvement in academic dishonesty will be dealt with seriously as per the student handbook policies section 5. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense that can lead to dismissal. KIC Plagiarism policy outlines the procedure that will be followed in case of plagiarism. For more information please visit (http://www.khawarizmi.com/academicintgirity/)
8.1Referencing & Citation Policies
Students are required to properly make Referencing and Citation in their submitted work. You can find this information on our site (http://www.khawarizmi.com/academicintgirity/)
9. Weekly Plan:
Week
Date
TOPIC
LOs
OTHER ACTIVITIES
1
12/Jan/2014
18/Jan/2014
Peripheral devices used for input and output including Source Data Automation technology such as OMR, OCR, MICR etc..
LO2
2
19/Jan/2014
25/Jan/2014
Number bases such as binary, hex and octal and how to convert numbers between bases.
LO1
3
26/Jan/2014
01/Feb/2014
Number bases (Continued)
LO1
4
02/Feb/2014
08/Feb/2014
The various levels of abstraction of the Data
Hierarchy. i.e. from bit level Through bytes and ASCII, fields and up to databases.
LO1
5
09/Feb/2014
15/Feb/2014
The various levels of abstraction of the Data
Hierarchy. i.e. from bit level Through bytes and ASCII, fields and up to databases.
LO1
6
16/Feb/2014
22/Feb/2014
Basic computer architecture and the component parts of computers, i.e. main memory, processor, buses, I/O parts etc. ROM and RAM technologies and their function within a computer.
LO3
Assignment 1,
Disassembling and reassembling PC's
7
23/Feb/2014
1/Mar/2014
Basic computer architecture... (Continued)
LO3
Assignment 2 handing out
8
02/Mar/2014
08/Mar/2014
Mid-term examination start
Basic computer architecture... (Continued)
LO3
9
09/Mar/2014
15/Mar/2014
Software and an overview of various high and low level programming languages. How software is compiled from high level languages to machine code and how the resulting machine code is loaded, stored and executed within the computer.
LO4
10
16/Mar/2014
22/Mar/2014
Software and an overview of various high and low level programming languages...(Continued)
LO4
11
23/Mar/2014
29/Mar/2014
Basic networking including descriptions of the hardware and software involved. The various channel available and basic WAN and LAN topologies.
LO 5
Assignment 2 handing in
12
30/Mar/2014
05/Apr/2014
Break
13
06/Mar/2014
12/Apr/2014
Break
14
13/Apr/2014
19/Apr/2014
Basic networking including descriptions of the hardware and software involved. The various channel available and basic WAN and LAN topologies.
LO 5
15
20/Apr/2014
26/Apr/2014
Basic GUI use and design principles
including a basic insight into HCI (Human
Computer Interaction).
General revision
LO 6
16
27/Apr/2014
03/May/2014
Final Examinations
17
04/May/2014
10/May/2014
Final Examinations
10. Educational Resources
Educational Resource
Description
Comments
Textbooks Required
References
Computers
Magazines
CD ROM
eBook
-Peter Norton , 2006, Introduction to Computers, Sixth Edition,McGraw-Hill
- Hamacher, Vranesic, Zaky, Manjikian, 2012, Computer Organization and Embedded Systems, Sixth Edition, McGraw-Hill
Clements, A 2010, The principles of computer hardware, 4th Ed, Oxford
University Press.
A+ 4th Edition, 2010,Wiely.
Internet searches for obtaining info on Computers.
PC Magazine, Byte, other computer magazines in the Library
(CDROM) data base in the library + Action learning through CD
Accompanying the textbook or the reference A+
Other
Resources
Library resources, Internet search of periodicals
11. Others
Teaching Methods
This course covers the theory and concepts involved with Computer Systems; however, the college approach is to deliver this course in a practical context.
In one of the assignments, the students will be taken to the computer lab and divided into groups of four or five where the lab technician will demonstrate to the students how the computer is disassembled and the reassembled again. Students will then practice assembling and disassembling the computer on their own.
In another assignment, each student is asked to visit local IT shops to inquire about the price and specifications of a certain device such as personal computer, laser printer, inkjet printer, or a scanner then the student needs to analyze the specifications and prices of the various types of devi
