BINDURA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE EDUCATION

FACULTY OF SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

Semester: August- December 2016

Course Coordinator: : MR Mavhemwa P.M Contacts: Mobile 0773 845525;
compscie@buse.ac.zw, Office no 4A52 Computer Science Block, Astra Campus).

Lectures are mainly online , physical meetings for tutorials will be announced.

CS101-INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE

Course Aims
Introduction to computer science is a course designed to familiarize students with the operation of
computers and various application programs and equip them to use computers in their respective areas
of study. Previous knowledge of computer is not a requirement.

Objectives
To promote an understanding of the information technology world and the role it plays in various
organizations, students will be able to

Relate the history of computers and link it to the different trends technological
developments.
Apply their knowledge of office applications such as word processing, spreadsheet
packages, database management and graphic presentation in various work fields.
Use internet for research and communication purposes.
Identify different computer hardware and software components and understand
computer specifications

Course outline

Week Lecture Content

(Hrs)
1 1 (2) Introduction
Computer Terminology and Concepts
Characteristics of computers
Limitations of computers
Application of computers
2 (2) Basic Computer literacy skills (Starting and shutting down the computer,
account creation and login, operating systems (windows7,windows 8) )
Practical
2 3 (2) History of Computers
The evolution and generations of computers
 4 (2) Basic Computer literacy skills (Windows Operating system, use of
Keyboard and mouse) Practical
3 5 (2) Classification of computers
Measuring Time, Size and Processing Power
Application of computers
6(2) Creation, manipulation and organization of files and folders - Practical
4 7 (2) Computer as a system
The basic structure of a computer
computer components and their functions
Identification of physical components of a computer-practical
8(2) Word processing – Ms Word
(opening, editing, saving and formatting of documents)
References, mailings ,reviews, views, designs and layouts
5 9 (2) Data representation in computers
The ASCII Code
The EBCIC Code
Parity
Numbers Systems

10(2) Graphic Presentations – Ms PowerPoint -practical

6 11 (2) Data representation in computers

Numbers Systems

12(2) Ms publisher -practical

7 13 (2) Computer Hardware
Input, Output and Storage devices
The Storage Technologies
14 (2) Spreadsheet – Ms excel- practical
8 15 (2) Computer Software
System software
Application Software
Acquisition of software

16(2) Spreadsheet – Ms excel- practical

9 17 (2) File Organization and Databases
File organization concepts
File based approach
The Database approach
Database models
Access to Databases and database management

18 (2) Database management - Ms Access - practical

10 19 (2) Data communications
Telecommunication models
Telecommunication media
Communication networks ( The Internet and intranets, LANS, MANS,
 WANS)

20 (2) Internet and E-mail –practical

Surfing ,searching, downloading and configurations
Ms outlook- practical
11 21(2) Data communications
Communication networks ( The Internet and intranets, LANS, MANS,
WANS)
Network topologies
Data Communication equipment/devices
E-mail
22(2) Ms publisher -practical
12 23 (2) Computer Viruses
Types of viruses
How viruses work
Sources of Viruses
How to avoid and clean viruses
24 (2) Antivirus software, Scanning, updating - Practical
13 REVISION
14 EXAMINATIONS
15
Assessment Continuous assessment

Coursework 30%
Theory and Practical Assignments
Theory and Practical Tests
Exercises
Quiz
Examination 70%

Recommended Literature

Said Lezzer, IT Fundamentals and Computer Applications

Shelly Cashman Waggoner, Computer Concepts
Clifford HD and Sutcliffe AG (1996): Business Information Systems, Prentice Hall
Bradly R, Understanding Computer Science for Advanced level, Stanley Thornes
O’Brien JA (1996), Management Information Systems: Managing Information Technology in the
Networked Enterprise, Irwin
Laudon KC and Laudon JP (1991) Business Information System: A problem solving approach, Dryden
French CS(1996), Data Processing and Information Technology,Letts
Holmes BJ, Pascal Programming, DP Publications
Ellsworth JH and Ellsworth M V(1996), The New Internet Business Book, Wiley
Leshin CB (1996), Internet Adventures Version 1.2, Allyn and Bacon

E-Resources
Google books on Introduction to computer science
Get material from the e-learning platform

Course Outline Review Panel

Approval by the External Examiner

Name………………………………………Signature……………………………..

Approval by other stakeholders

Name…………………………
Qualifications…………………….Organisation……………………………Signature…………………

Name…………………………
Qualifications…………………….Organisation……………………………Signature…………………

Name…………………………
Qualifications…………………….Organisation……………………………Signature…………………

Name…………………………
Qualifications…………………….Organisation……………………………Signature…………………

Approval by the Chairperson

Name………………………………………Signature……………………………..

Approval by the Dean

Name………………………………………Signature……………………………..