UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, JAMAICA SYLLABUS OUTLINE

FACULTY: SCHOOL/DEPT: COURSE OF STUDY: YEAR: MODULE TITLE: MODULE CODE: DURATION (Hours): CREDIT VALUE PREREQUISITES 1.0 Engineering & Computing (FENC) School of Computing & Information Technology (SCIT) All Bachelors Degree Programmes, Diplomas One (1) Information Technology INT1001 75 hours (15 weeks) Three (3) None

MODULE DESCRIPTION This module introduces students to information and communication technology, the Internet and computer networks, computing applications, technological issues and information resources. Students will develop technological literacy, knowledge and rich skills that will equip them with the ability to participate in technology driven environments and augment knowledge gained through discipline-related courses.

2.0 MODULE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of the module, the student should be able to: i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. Understand the general principles of information technology Use information retrieval tools to research and analyze information Understand the technologies relating to hardware, software, telecommunications and networking Demonstrate knowledge and correct usage of popular Information System Technology (IST) productivity software packages Understand the various issues related to information technology and their impact on society Appreciate the importance of computers and information technology in improving individual and national productivity

3.0 MODULE CONTENT

UNIT 1

Introduction to Computers and Information Technology

Expected Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of Unit 1, the student should be able to: 1.1. Define fundamental terms relating to information technology including input, output, computer, information, technology, hardware, software etc. 1.2. Discuss the purpose and benefits of Information System Technology 1.3. Identify the components of a typical computer system 1.4. Differentiate among various types of system units 1.5. Describe the various categories and types of computers 1.6. Explain how a computer system works 1.7. Discuss examples of the various input, output and storage devices and how they work 1.8. Discuss the factors that determine a computers performance 1.9. Select the best type of computer and hardware components based on user needs 1.10. Recognize the importance of computer literacy 1.11. Analyze the impact of computers in the students discipline 1.12. Discuss the development of the Internet, how it works, Internet addressing and the services offered 1.13. Describe the major types of ecommerce 1.14. Assess the impact of ecommerce on businesses 1.15. Use advanced features of the Internet and the World Wide Web to prepare report summaries of the concepts presented in the unit 1.16. Develop a research paper on information technology topics relating to the academic discipline of students 1.17. Demonstrate usage of the advanced features of a popular word processing software to document information Content Principles of Information Technology Components of the System Unit

Input, Output and Storage Devices Categories of Computers Introduction to E-Business and E-Commerce Internet addressing and Internet Services Popular word processing software
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Creating Research Paper (APA Formatting etc.) Inserting Objects (Tables, Pictures etc., Breaks) Mail Merge Resumes, Cover Letters Advanced Formatting Techniques - Table of Contents, Footnotes, References, Comments and other advanced formatting

UNIT 2

Software: Telling the computer what to do

Expected Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of Unit 2, the student should be able to: 2.1 Identify the categories of application and system software 2.2 Describe the functions of operating systems and several utility programs 2.3 Identify the key features of widely used application software 2.4 Identify application software used by professionals in the students discipline 2.5 Explain the ways in which software is distributed 2.6 Understand the risks involved in using software 2.7 Analyze the impact of open source software on the software industry 2.8 Differentiate amongst the categories of programming languages 2.9 Define terms relating to database management DBMS, file, record, field, data, database, information 2.10 Differentiate between the file processing system approach and the database approach 2.11 Describe the characteristics of various types of databases 2.12 Demonstrate correct usage of popular DBMS software 2.13 Demonstrate correct usage of popular spreadsheet software 2.14 Describe general purpose information systems and those used in the functional units of an organization 2.15 Discuss the phases in the information systems development life cycle 2.16 Assess the effectiveness of various types of information system in meeting user requirements Content Categories of software File Processing and Databases Database Management Systems Programming Languages Information Systems

Office Automation, Transaction Processing, MIS, Decision Support, Expert Systems, Integrated IS System Development Life Cycle Popular spreadsheet software o Entering & Formatting Data o Formulae and Function o Charts o What-if Analyses Tools o Macros o Amortization Schedule Database Management System Software o Database Design & Maintenance o Forms o Query Building o Report Generation
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UNIT 3

Telecommunications and Networking

Expected Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of Unit 3, the student should be able to: 3.1 Understand basic networking concepts 3.2 Discuss the components required for successful communications 3.3 Describe the various types of networks 3.4 Compare and contrast various LAN architectures and topologies 3.5 Describe the various network communication standards 3.6 Identify the characteristics of various physical and wireless transmission media 3.7 Provide examples of how digitization and convergence impact communication devices 3.8 Describe current and emerging networking technologies Content Uses of Communications Components of Communications Network Communication Standards Wireless and Wired Communication Categories of Network (LAN, WAN, hybrids) Network Topologies and Architectures Characteristics of Physical and Wireless Transmission Media Next Generation Technologies 5

UNIT 4

Issues in Information Technology

Expected Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of Unit 4, the student should be able to: 4.1 Recognize ethical and societal impact of computer usage 4.2 Analyze various security risks which may impact a computer system 4.3 Discuss ethical and privacy issues surrounding ICT 4.4 Identify ways to safeguard computer systems from the various potential threats 4.5 Discuss illegal acts involving usage of the computer 4.6 Discus health concerns relating to the use of computers 4.7 Examine aspects of the ICT landscape in Caribbean countries 4.8 Demonstrate ethical use of computer software 4.9 Identify ways to be a responsible computer user 4.10 Discuss how technological developments impact privacy, anonymity and the social landscape 4.11 Research topical issues in information, communication and technology 4.12 Demonstrate correct usage of popular presentation software Content Ethics, Privacy and Privacy o Software Piracy o Software Licenses, Copyright o Intellectual Property Ownership Computer Crime o Types of computer crime o Hackers o Viruses Security o Threats to Computers o Safeguarding computers Computers and Health Risks o Ergonomics 6

Green Computing Social Networking Caribbean Digital Landscape Presentation Software o Proper Slide Layout o Inserting Clip Art, Tables, Pictures etc. o Setting up Animations and Slide Shows
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4.0 LEARNING AND TEACHING APPROACHES

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Lectures to provide coverage of the concepts and generate understanding Tutorials to provide opportunities for a high level of interaction and for discussion and reinforcing understanding of the concept Supervised lab exercises to develop students competence in their usage of popular application software, and to encourage responsible and proper use of the computer and lab resources Unsupervised lab exercises to promote independent work and collaboration Case studies, group activities and discussions to stimulate thought, promote collaboration and to apply the concepts to real-world situations Internet-based research activities to develop students competence in the use of information retrieval tools and to broaden understanding of the concepts covered in the module

5.0 ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES Coursework 60%

Tutorial Test #1 7.5% This test is designed to assess students knowledge and understanding of the theoretical aspects of the early units of the course material as indicated in the learning outcomes. Spreadsheet Assessment 15% This assessment is designed to assess the skills and competencies in using spreadsheet software. There will be ongoing assessment of given spreadsheet exercises, as well as students demonstration of competence by way of a test using the spreadsheet application. Tutorial Test #2 7.5% This test is designed to assess students knowledge and understanding of the theoretical aspects of the later units of the course material as indicated in the learning outcomes. Database Assessment 15%

This assessment is designed to assess the skills and competencies in using database software. There will be ongoing assessment of given database exercises, as well as students demonstration of competence by way of a test using the database application. Research Paper (group) 10% The research paper is designed to assess students ability to use word processing software as well as their use of information retrieval tools to produce, research and analyze information relating to a topical issue in Information Technology. The assessment also includes an oral presentation component which will assess students competence in the use of presentation software in communicating information on the topic. Tutorial Participation 5% This component is designed to assess students involvement in the various tutorial activities such as readings, group discussions, debates, web research etc. which will focus on the application of information technology principles and concepts in the students discipline Final Exam 6.0 BREAKDOWN OF HOURS Lecture Hours Tutorial Hours Lab Hours Total supervised unsupervised 15 15 30 75 hours 15 40%

7.0 TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES REQUIRED ICT Division Lab Manual Computers are Your Future 10th Edition; Diane Coyle Prentice Hall Online Resources for Computers are Your Future 10th Edition; REFERENCE Information Technology: Principles, Practices and Opportunities: James A. Senn (3rd Edition) Discovering Computers 2010: A Gateway to Information; Thomas Cashman, Misty Vermaat; Thomson Learning

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SYLLABUS WRITER/DEVELOPER Marcia Salmon, Karlene Black, Arnett Campbell 1999

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DATE OF REVISION Janet Walters - April 24, 2001 Christopher Slowley, Basil Clarke August 10, 2001 Lisa Shaw, Basil Clarke February 2004 Karlene M. Black July 2006 Lisa Shaw June 2009

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DATE OF ACCEPTANCE __________________________ (Programme Director)

__________________________ (OCDE)