Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives On completion of this subject students should know the function and organisation of the hardware components of a computer system and be able to explain the purpose and function of system software and application software; be able to demonstrate proficiency in the use of a range of microcomputer software packages, and apply them to simple problems; and be able to use algorithm design tools and techniques to describe solutions to a range of simple programming problems.
Synopsis General section: the computer's place in society, nature of computers, internal organisation and functions, input/output and storage devices, data representation; an overview of computer system software functions, operating systems, application software, elements of data communication, information systems development, programming languages, program development, algorithms, algorithm design. Applications section: using an IBM PC, this section covers the hardware, DOS, diskettes and files, use of a word processing package, use of an industry standard spreadsheet package, spreadsheet applications, database management applications, and use of an industry-standard information management package. Distance students attend one 2-hour lecture and one 2-hour practical tutorial at each vacation school. Students must have access to a microcomputer.
Assessment Assignments: 20% + Examinations: 80%