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Axum University
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Computing Technology
Course Outline
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I. General
Course Name: Introduction to Computer Application
Course Code: _________
Credit Hours: 5 ECTS
Contact address:
Instructor: Mulatu N.
Email : musieyaa@gmail.com.
Office B-60 R-001

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II. Course Objectives

To enable the students to understand concepts used in the information age and implementation of
different software and hardware equipments of computer.
To enable the students to have a clear understanding of scientific problem solving methods in the
computer world that help to develop a program.
To enable the students to use application software like MS office Word, Excel and using properly
MS basic Windows in their daily personal life.
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I. Course Description
The introduction part of this course deals with defining the term computer, discussing history and development
of computers discussed in the form of generations of computer, characteristics and types of computers and
finally application areas of computers. Then components of computer system will be discussed in detail by
exploring software and hardware sections. How computers are connected and create a connection with the
choice of creating connection is also the discussion to this course. Finally, how real problems can be solved by
the help of computers will be discussed in the generic programming language section of the course.
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II. Course Contents

Chapter One: Introduction

1.1. Key Concepts

1.1.1. The Nature of Information (Data, Information, Knowledge and Wisdom)

1.1.2. Information Hierarchies
1.1.3. Information Overload
1.1.4. Digital Divide

1.2. Computer

1.2.1. History and Development of Computer (Generations of Computer)

1.2.2. Characteristics and Limitation of Computers
1.2.3. Types of Computers
1.2.4. Application of Computers

Chapter 2: Components of Computer System

2.1 Computer Organization (Physical and Operational Setup)

2.2 Computer Components (Hardware, Software, Data and People)
 2.3 Computer Hardware (Input devices, Output devices, Central Processing Unit (CPU) and Storage devices)
2.4 Computer Software (System software, Application software and Utility software)
2.5 Data Representation on the Computer

Chapter 3: Computer Networking

3.1. Definition and benefits of Networks

3.2. Modes of Communication
3.3. Types of Networks and Network topology
3.4. Networking Devices
3.5. The Internet and its Application

Chapter 4: Computer Security

4.1 Introduction to Computer Security

4.2 Vulnerability
4.3 Threat
4.4 Countermeasure

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I. Evaluation

Lab (10 %) Assignment (10%), Quizes (30%) Final Exam (50%)

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II. References

1. Computing Essentials, Timothy OLeary, McGraw-Hill, 2000.

2. Using computers in information age, Brightman Richard.
3. Discovering computers, Gary B.Shelly,Thomas J. Cashman, Gloria A. Waggoner.
4. William C. waggoner; Course technology, 1997.
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