GCO9802

Computer systems ( 6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: A Driver

Offered:
Not offered in 2006.

Synopsis: This unit will introduce students to basic computer hardware and operating systems software with emphasis on the concepts required to understand the low-level and internal operations of computer systems. In particular, this includes study of data representation, simple digital logic, computer organisation including CPU, memory and input/output devices, as well as machine-level and assembly language programming, and operating system concepts with examples of process management, file system structures and user interfaces.

Objectives: Explain the evolution and history, and the roles played by, both computers and software; Evaluate and explain the functions of basic hardware components making up a modern computer system and their interaction; Explain basic operating system concepts; Demonstrate the relationship between hardware and operating systems; Differentiate and explain the various technologies, components and uses of networked computer systems, data communications, the Internet and the Web; Explain the concept of binary, octal and hexadecimal number systems, their notation and relationship to computers; Demonstrate the manipulation of numbers in binary, octal and hexadecimal notations; Explain and demonstrate how integers, floating points, and character data are encoded for use with computers and data communications; Explain and demonstrate the uses of Boolean algebra and propositional logic in relation to computers; Apply a wide range of both Windows and UNIX / Linux software utilities in relation to hardware, operating systems and data communications; Explain the concepts and requirements for databases and their management; Demonstrate database concepts.

Assessment: Assignments: 40% + Examination: 60%