William Paterson University of New Jersey

Department of Computer Science

College of Science and Health

Course Outline

 

1.   TITLE OF COURSE AND COURSE NUMBER:

 

Computer and Information Technology; CS201;

Credits: 3 (cannot be used to fulfill the Computer Science major requirement)

 

2.   DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE:

The course has two themes. The first theme introduces computer concepts. Topics include hardware and software fundamentals; computer and information systems; data communications and computer networks; World Wide Web and the Internet; social impact of computers including discussions on privacy, security, civil liberty, risk of computers, intellectual properties, and computer related legislations. The second theme familiarizes students with leading application software such as Excel, Powerpoint, Access, and Web design programs. Practical computer problem-solving skills are emphasized through intensive hands-on exercises.

 

3.   COURSE PREREQUISITES:

 

None

 

4.   COURSE OBJECTIVES:

 

Designed to present an overview of computers, the Internet, the use of computers, and the impact of computers on society. The course familiarizes students with hands-on experience and various types of applications. Popular software packages are used to introduce spreadsheets, presentation software, web design, and database applications.  

 

5.   STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

·        Understand the hardware and software that constitute a computing system.

·        Learn how to interact with the graphical user interface of the operating system and understand the process and tools of software development.

·        Understand the basic vocabulary of computing.

·        Gain a general understanding of the various fields of computer science such as databases, languages, software engineering, artificial intelligence, computer networks, etc.

·        Utilize computer applications including web design, spreadsheet, database application, and presentation software for school and work related activities.

·        Utilize the Web to locate information and evaluate its value.

·        Identify the main events and people in the history of computing.

·        Participate in discussions on the social impact of computers.  

 

 

6.   TOPICAL OUTLINE OF THE COURSE CONTENT:  

 

  1. Basic definitions: algorithms, hardware, software, programs, Internet

Hands-on exercise: operating system (e.g., Windows)

  1. Hardware: the system box, bits, bytes, kilobytes, Megs, Gigs, ASCII code, binary numbers, CPU = ALU + CU, main memory - where programs run,  ROM-BIOS, the motherboard, cache, ports, expansion cards (graphics, sound, etc.)

Hands-on exercise: review of word processing

  1. Storing data- memory vs. storage, storage technologies: magnetic vs. optical; secondary storage (floppy, hard drives )

Hands-on exercise: word processing – tables, outlines

  1. Hardware: input and output devices.

Hands-on exercise: desktop publishing, wizards.

  1. System software: operating systems (booting; mulitasking; DOS, Win95/98/2000, NT, Unix, and MacOS); utilities (compression, antivirus).

Hands-on exercise: spreadsheet basics

  1. Application software: shareware, freeware, commercial software, copyrights, versions.

Hands-on exercise: spreadsheets – formula, charts

  1. The Intenet: history, packet switch network, web services, web geography, WWW, FTP, clients, servers

Hands-on exercise: spreadsheets – functions

  1. The World Wide Web: Search techniques, HTML, search engines, URL’s

Hands-on exercise: creating a Web site

  1. Telecommunications: circuit switching, bandwidth, modems

Hands-on exercise: presentation application

  1. Networks: Protocols, Topologies, networking software, physical media

Hands-on exercise: project presentation

  1. Privacy and Encryption: cookies, spyware, banner ads, public key encryption

Hands-on exercise: database application

  1. Computer crime and security- cyber crime, fraud, firewalls, viruses       
    Hands-on exercise: database application

13.  Databases and information systems: databases, data warehousing

  1. Programming languages and development: compilers, interpreters, machine language, assemblers, high level languages.

 

7.   GUIDELINES/SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHING METHODS AND STUDENT LEARNING ACTIVITIES:   

 

·        Classroom hand-on exercises.

·        Projects involving the application software.

 

8.   GUIDELINES/SUGGESTIONS FOR METHODS OF STUDENT ASSESSMENT (OUTCOMES):           

 

·        Two-three examinations, culminating in a comprehensive final examination.

·        Weekly projects using application software.

·        Oral presentation with power point (e.g. buying a computer or privacy, security issues).

 

9.   SUGGESTED READINGS, TEXTS, OBJECTS OF STUDY

 

Daley, B., Computer are Your Future 2005, Complete Edition, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.

 

Grauer, Robert T. & Maryann Barber, Exploring Office XP, Enhanced Edition, Prentice Hall, 2001.

 

10. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SUPPORTIVE TEXTS AND OTHER MATERIALS:  

Baase, S., A Gift of Fire: Social, Legal, and Ethical Isssues for Computers and the Internet, Second Edition, Prentice Hall, 2003.

Brookshear, J. G., Computer Science: An Overview, 6th Edition, Addison-Wesley, 1999.

Capron, H. L. and Johnson, J., Computers: Tools for an Information Age, Seventh Edition, Prentice Hall, 2002.

Evans, A., Martin, K., Poatsy, M. A., Technology in Action, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.

Hester, M. and Ford, P., Computers and Ethics in the Cyber Age, Prentice Hall, 2001.

Hogan, L., Practical Computing, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.

Hutchinson, S. and Sawyer, C. S., Computers, Communication and Information, Comprehensive Seventh Edition w/PowerWeb, McGraw-Hill, 2000.

Lauckner, K. F. and Lintner, M. D., The Computer Continuum, Seventh Edition, Prentice Hall, 2001.

Long, L. E. and Long, N., Computers, 8th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2000.

O'Leary, L. and O'Leary, T., Computing Essentials 2002-2003, Complete Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2002.

Preston, J., Preston, S., and Ferrett, R., Computers in a Changing Society, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.

Snyder, L., Fluency with Information Technology: Skills, Concepts, & Capabilities, Addison Wesley, 2004.

 

11.  PREPARER'S NAME AND DATE:  A. Cheo and E.W.Hu, 1985

 

 

12.  ORIGINAL DEPARTMENTAL APPROVAL DATE:

 

Fall 1985 (many revisions since then)

 

13.  REVISERS' NAME AND DATE:

 

L. Kaufman & the C.S. Ku, Spring 2004.

 

14.  DEPARTMENTAL REVISION APPROVAL DATE:

 

Spring 2004.