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HUMBER SCHOOL OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

COURSE OUTLINE

ACADEMIC YEAR FALL '02 TO SUMMER '03

 

COURSE NUMBER CPAN 100
   
COURSE NAME Information Systems Foundations
   
CREDITS 4
   
PREREQUISITES None
   
TEXT REQUIRED Discovering Computers 2003
  Shelly Cashman Vermaat
  Course Technology
   
ISBN 0-7895-6514-5
   
ORIGINATED BY: Chris Shaw DATE: June 1, 2001
     
REVISED BY: Chris Shaw DATE: May 1, 2002
     

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to computer information system concepts. As with all areas of specialization, a great deal of terminology must be understood for the employee to function properly in the field. This course will provide most of the terminology and basic concepts of computer processing. Students will also be introduced to the Internet and web pages through the use of basic HTML Due to the dynamic nature of the computer industry, extensive use of the Internet will be expected.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will be able to:

1 Design and create a basic personal web page using HTML commands.
2 Define basic terminology used in computer fields
3 Describe different types of input/output devices utilized in computer technology
4 Successfully use Windows, Word and Excel
5 Discuss and have a basic understanding of LAN, WAN, MAN and network topologies
6 Understand database systems and data hierarchies
7 Be able to convert Binary to Decimal or Hex and understand coding systems
8 Understand how E-Commerce sets up an on-line store and manages secure payments and purchase ordering.
9 Discuss and have a basic understanding of Communication devices such as DSL, ISDN, Wireless devices, cable and the physical transmission media such as fibre-optic, twisted-pair, and coaxial cable.
10 Describe Internet addressing, URLs, E-Mail, FTP and how it relates to web sites.
11 Understand program use for multimedia, productivity, web applications and communication.
12 Understand storage devices such as floppy drives, hard disk, CD-Rom, CD-RW, DVD-Rom and tape backup units.
13 Have a basic understanding of the different Operating Systems such as DOS, Windows 9x, Windows 2000, Unix, Linux, Solaris, Windows CE and have knowledge of some of the utility programs that can be utilized under each.
14 Describe the system development life cycle

GENERIC SKILLS

The following generic skills will be acquired and/or enhanced:

COMMUNICATION

  • Write clear and concise sentences in projects and assignments
  • Respond to written and oral instructions
  • Use an appropriate level of work-related terminology in report correspondence and discussions
  • Read and interpret policy and procedure
  • Demonstrate the ability to understand and discuss technical details (e.g. hardware and software concepts)

MATHEMATICS

  • Apply the fundamentals of mathematics to the solution of converting binary, hex and octal numbering systems

INTERPERSONAL

  • Participate effectively in group discussions on technical problems
  • Work with others by cooperating, sharing ideas and constructively resolving conflicts

CURRICULUM DETAIL:

1

Introduction and Website information

  • Course outline, text and expectations
  • Test, assignment and grade structures
 
 
     
1a

Introduction to Computers

  • Internal and external computer components
  • Computer software for systems, applications and how it is developed
  • Categories of computers: desktop, portable, mini/mainframe/super computers
  • Operating computers as a home user, in business, mobile and as a power user
 
Chapter 1
     
2

The Internet and the World Wide Web

  • Service providers and connecting to the web
  • Internet addressing and data paths
  • URL's and web searching
  • Multimedia on the web
  • Internet services: E-mail, FTP, Newsgroups, Messaging
 
Chapter 2
     
3

Application Software

  • System software and the User interface
  • Productivity software: Using Microsoft Word, Excel, Databases, presentations, accounting desktop publishing, video editing
  • Multimedia software: authorware
  • Personal and Educational software: personal finance, legal, tax preparation, paint/photo programs
  • Software for communications: E-mail, web browsers, groupware, video conferencing
  • Web application software/training, application service providers
 
Chapter 3
     
4

The Components of the System Unit

  • Motherboard types
  • The components of the CPU: control unit, ALU, Registers and pipelining functions
  • Processor comparisons and upgrades
  • Coprocessors, parallel processing and heat sinks
  • Memory types including RAM, Cache and CMOS
  • Serial, parallel, USB and special purpose ports
  • Binary/HEX conversions - Appendix A-1
  • Expansion buses: ISA, VESA local bus, PCI, AGP, USB, PC Card
 
Chapter 4
     
5

Input

  • Keyboard types
  • Mice and pointing devices: trackball, touchpad, joystick, touch screen, pen
  • Scanners and reading devices: optical scanners and readers, MICR
  • Digital cameras, audio and video input devices
 
Chapter 5
     
6

Operating Systems and Utility Programs

  • User interfaces
  • Features of the operating system: multitasking, multiprocessing and multi-user
  • Functions of an operating system such as memory management, printing, configuring devices, plug and play, IRQ management and monitoring system performance
  • Introduction to different operating systems for standalone computers such as DOS, Windows, PDA, OS2, UNIX/Linux
  • Network operating systems such as Windows NT, 2000, .NET servers, UNIX and embedded systems
  • Utility programs such as Scandisk, defrag, backups, antivirus
 
Chapter 8
     
7

Communications and Networks

  • Communication use: Email, voice mail, Fax, instant messaging, video conferencing, groupware, GPS
  • Communication channels and physical transmission types: twisted pair, coax, Fiber-optic
  • Wireless transmissions using PDA, cellular phones and radios, microwave, satellite, infrared
  • Transmission characteristics: broadband, baseband, asynchronous, synchronous, simplex, half-duplex and full duplex
  • PSTN characteristics including POTS, dial-up, ISDN, DSL, T-Carrier, ATM and their communication methods
  • Communication devices: modems and cable modems
  • Network fundamentals: hubs, repeaters, bridges, gateways and routers.
  • Network communications and topologies: LAN, WAN, MAN, Peer-to-Peer, Client/server, BUS, Ring, Star, TCP/IP
 
Chapter 9
     
8

E-Commerce: A revolution in the way we do business

  • E-Commerce growth trends
  • E-Commerce business models: Business-to-consumer, consumer to consumer, business to business, business to employee
  • E-Commerce revenue streams
  • Advantages of E-Commerce
  • E-Retailing: online catalog, shopping carts
  • E-Commerce market sectors: Finance on the web, online trading, travel, entertainment and health
  • Web hosting: getting started on the web and the requirements needed to host a site
 
Chapter 10
     
9

Computers and Society/Security and Privacy

  • Computer viruses: how they can spread
  • Types of viruses: logic bombs, time bombs, file and boot sector viruses, worm, Trojan horse
  • Virus detection and removal using software packages
  • Limiting access to your computer: access control, identification and authorization, PIN's, biometric devices, hand and face geometry systems, voice verification, callbacks, audit trails and logs.
  • Software, hardware and information thefts
  • Preventing software thefts using encryption
  • Backup procedures and recovery plans
  • Internet and network security
  • Information privacy: electronic profiles, cookies, spyware, spam, privacy laws, employee monitoring
 
Chapter 12
     
10

Databases and Information Management

  • Data integrity and security
  • Maintaining data through changing, adding, deleting and validating records
  • Data maintenance and retrieval through queries, reports, forms
  • Introduction to relational and object oriented databases
  • Database administration functions for users
  • Types of information systems: office, transaction processing, management information systems
 
Chapter 13
     
11

Information Systems Development

  • The system development life cycle parameters
  • Stages of a system development life cycle: planning, analysis, design, implementation, support
  • The planning stage
  • Analysis stage: preliminary investigations, detailed analysis and design tools 
  • Design stage: technical specifications, testing,decision making, program design, prototyping, case tools and quality testing
  • Implementation stage: installing and testing, training, conversion to new system
  • Support stage: performance monitoring, enhancements and error control
 
Chapter 14
     
12

Program Development and Programming Languages

  • Analyzing program requirements
  • Designing programs: top-down design, structured design, selection and repetition control structures, design tools, logic layout and pseudocode.
  • Coding, testing and maintaining programs
  • Categories of programming languages: machine language, procedural, object oriented, non-procedural
  • Introduction to different programming languages: Visual Basic, COBOL, C/C++
  • Scripting languages: HTML, JAVA, Perl, XHTML and WML
 
Chapter 15

ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION

An average of 60% must be achieved on the tests and on the final exam for the assignments to be included in the final mark.

The Marking distribution is as follows:

 

Tests (4)
40%
Assignments
30%
Final Exam
30%
Total
100%

Please note: The Distance Learning version of this course (if available) may have a different grading scheme than the classroom version. Check the information page of the Distance Learning version for details. Students must pass the proctored final exam for any other test and lab assignments to count towards their final mark.

PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT

(PLA) College PLA requirements must be followed. PLA consists of an oral qualifying interview and, if successful, a challenge exam. Depending on the level of success on the challenge exam, a case study may be assigned.

ACADEMIC REGULATIONS

It is the responsibility of each student to be knowledgeable of the Humber College Academic Regulations and the School of Information Technology Academic Standards and Regulations. Copies of the standards are available in the School of Information Technology main office H221. It is the student's responsibility to retain course outlines for possible future use in support of applications for transfer credit to other educational institutions. **A charge of $5.00 per course outline may apply for additional copies.**

DISCLAIMER

Every effort will be made by the instructor of the course to cover all the material listed. However, in the event of special circumstances (i.e. time constraints due to inclement weather, sickness, technology problems or changes, etc) the order, content and/or evaluation may be changed with prior notification to students and approval from the Dean/Associate Dean