Summary of INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS

BINDURA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE EDUCATION

FACULTY OF SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

CS001: Introduction to Computer SystemsÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Semester: Augâ€“ Dec 2015

Programme: Diploma in Science Education (DIPSCIED)

LecturerÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â : Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â MR P. MAVHEMWAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OfficeÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â : 4A52

CellÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â :Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 0773845525Â Â Â Â Â Â ConsultationÂ :By appointment

E-MailÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â :Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â pmavhemwa@buse.ac.zw

Course Aims and Objectives:

This course aims to introduce students to basic knowledge of computer systems i.e. in terms of hardware and software components of computer systems and the functions of the various such components.

Course Outline

Week	Lecture (Hrs)	Content
1	Â 4	Introduction -Â Â Â Â Â Â Definition of a computer -Â Â Â Â Â Â Computer terminology -Â Â Â Â Â Â Importance of computers -Â Â Â Â Â Â Evolutionary History of computers
2	4
3	4 Â Â Â Â Â	Â Organization of a computer system -Â Â Â Â Â Â Components of a computer system (basic scheme diagram of a computer systems) and the relationship between the components
4	Â 4	Computer Classification -Â Â Â Â Â Â Mini, micro, mainframe, supercomputers -Â Â Â Â Â Â Functions and Characteristics of each class Â
5	Â 4	Â Computer Hardware -Â Â Â Â Â Â Input devices, Output devices, CPU, Storage media Â
6	4
7	2	Computer Software -Â Â Â Â Â Â Classifications of computer software -Â Â Â Â Â Â System Software: Operating Systems, Utility Programs Â
8	4	Computer Software Â -Â Â Â Â Â Â Application Software: General purpose software, special purpose software -Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
9	4	Database -Â Â Â Â Â Â Introduction -Â Â Â Â Â Â DBMS vs File based systems -Â Â Â Â Â Â Database models
10	4	Data Representation -Â Â Â Â Â Â Number system (Conversion addition and subtraction) Â
11	4	Data Representation Â -Â Â Â Â Â Â Error detection methods (parity check, hamming code, CRC)
12	Â 4	Â Data Communication -Â Â Â Â Â Â Transmission modes -Â Â Â Â Â Â Communication model -Â Â Â Â Â Â Communication types
Â 13 Â	4
Â 13 Â	Â	Consolidation
14-15	Â	Revision and Final Examination

Assessment

At least two assignments and/or tests (WT=30%) and Final Examination (WT=70%)

Recommended Literature

Bradley, R. (1996) Understanding Computer Science for Advanced Level. Stanley Thrones
French, C.S. (1996) Computer Science 5^th Edition. BookPower: London.
Heathcote, P.M. and Langfield, S. (2004) A Level Computing 5^th Edition. Payne-GallwayPublishers:Oxford.
Heathcote, P.M. (1996) A Level Computing 4^th Edition. Payne-GallwayPublishers:Oxford.
Internet sources