Computer Science, Prifysgol Cymru Aberystwyth University of Wales

CS10010 - Introduction to Computing

Brief Description

Aims, Objectives, Syllabus, Booklist

Further Details

Number of lectures

12

Number of seminars/tutorials

-

Number of practicals

20 x 2 hours

Coordinator

Dr. Andy Ormsby

Other staff involved

Not yet known

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Incompatibilities

Not available to students who have significant experience of using computers

Assessment

Assessed coursework - 100%

Timing

This module is offered in both Semester 1 and Semester 2

• introducing the range of computer equipment, its availability and capability and thereby encouraging an understanding of the principles and
• by developing skills which will both be of value outside the course and will give experience and insight to strengthen the broader understanding.

Consideration of the applicability of the technology to students' main disciplines will be encouraged. This module is not designed to develop an understanding of technical aspects of computing.

Objectives

• what hardware components are found in typical computer systems and broadly what their functions are
• typical cost and performance characteristics of the range of technologies and products such as: processors, primary store, secondary store, displays, printers, pointing devices, and digitisers
• the range of software (from operation systems, file systems and display managers, through utility programs, language systems and general packages to highly specialised packages) and an outline of its value to the user
• the potential benefits of computer technology to academics, in particular in the areas of document production and of data storage and retrieval
• the costs and possible disadvantages of using the technology
• legal and ethical problems in using the technology.

On successful completion of the module students should be able to:

• create and manage disc file systems under Microsoft Windows
• produce effective and well designed documents of significant complexity using a word-processor of reasonable sophistication
• create graphics (using bit-mapped and object based packages) and charts and include them in wordprocessed documents
• create and use simple spreadsheets
• create and use simple, single table databases
• use electronic mail
• use on-line services such as the CD-ROMS and OPACs
• evaluate and select appropriate equipment for a range of non-technical applications; this to include software and display, printing and storage devices

Introduction - 1 Lecture

Course organisation. Aims and Objectives.

Survey of Software - 2 Lectures

Operatings systems; user interfaces, utilities; applications programs; user written programs.

Survey of Hardware - 2 Lectures

Graphics Applications - 1 Lecture

Databases - 2 Lectures

Spreadsheets - 1 Lecture

Data Protection Legislation - 1 Lecture

Document Preparation - 1 Lecture

Advanced Applications - 1 Lecture

Microsoft Windows - 1 Practical

General use and manipulaton of Windows.

e-mail; Files I. - 1 Practical

Creation, manipulation and maintenance of a directory structure.

Word processor - 5 Practicals

General use of Microsoft WORD.

Files II - 2 Practicals

Revision of the use of directory structures following practical experience of them.

Graphics - 2 Practicals

Bit mapped and object orientated graphics applications (Mircrosoft Paint and Draw).

Spreadsheets - 2 Practicals

A brief introduction to the potential of spreadsheets (using Microsoft Excel).

Databases - 2 Practicals

Experience of setting up a simple database; search and report generation.

Assignments - 4 Practicals

Time is allocated for the work on assignments.

The following should be consulted for different approaches or for further information

Nancy B. Stern and Robert A. Stern. Computing in the Information Age. John Wiley and Sons Inc, New York, 1993.

Version 1.1

Nigel Hardy Departmental Advisor