MARIAN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

(A Constituent College of St. Augustine University of Tanzania)

[Department of Mathematics and Computer Science]
[GST 101 / GST 111 - Basic Computer Applications]
[Semester 1 – Academic Year 2023/2024]

Course Instructor: Mr. Edwin Yanda

1. Course Description:
This course is an introduction to microcomputer applications with a focus on
word processing,spreadsheets, databases and presentation software. The course also explores the
basics of the Internet, the World Wide Web and web development.

2. Specific Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:

 Identify basic hardware components and describe their functions for input, processing, output,
and storage of data.
 Describe major operating systems and demonstrate basic usage of their service such as file
management services.
 Demonstrate word processing skills to create, format and edit a professional word document
using Microsoft Word.
 Present, interpret, and analyze numerical data using Microsoft Excel.
 Capable of preparing presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint.
 Understand the fundamentals of databases and database management and the role of
Microsoft Access.
 Understand basic Internet concepts, World Wide Web and their applications.
 Identify and discuss computer security issues.
 Create simple web pages utilising web development frameworks and tools such as WordPress.

3. Required Texts
 Parker C.S. (2010). Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, Comprehensive 13th
edition.
 Shelly B.G., Vermaat, E.M. (2011). Discovering Computers, Complete: Interactive Guide to
the Digital World.
 Poatsy, Mulbery, Krebs, Hogan, Cameron, Davidson, Lau, Lawson, Williams &Grauer (2017)
Exploring Microsoft Office 2016 Volume 1, Pearson.
 Capron, H.L., Johnson, J.A. (2003), Computers: Tools for Information Age, Pearson
Education Ltd.
 Jon Duckett (2011) HTML & CSS: Design and Build Websites, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

1|P a ge
4. Course Content
 Computer System: Components of computer system, hardware and software, input, output,
processing and storage parts, data representation and measurements, types of computer
systems.

 Operating systems: features of operating systems, examples of operating systems, file

management.

 Application software: basics of word processing, basics of spreadsheet processing, basics of

presentation, basics of database management.

 Computer networks and Internet services: Terminologies; needs for computer networks,
services of computer networks, requirements for connecting to the Internet, email services,
www technologies, searching information from the internet.

 Data security: Types of data loss, protection and recovery mechanisms from data loss.

 Web development: Simple Web page development using web development tools, domain
name registration and web hosting.

5. Course Lecture Schedule

Week and Dates Topic/Subtopic Assignment/Tests

01. Introduction – course outline

Computer System - Components

of computer system, hardware
and software, input, output,
processing and storage parts
02. Computer System - data
representation and measurements,
types of computer systems

Operating systems - features of

operating systems, examples of
operating systems, file
management
03. Application software - word
processing using Microsoft Word
04. Application software - word Assignment 1
processing using Microsoft Word
05. Application software - Test 1
spreadsheet processing using
Microsoft Excel

2|P a ge
 06. Application software -
spreadsheet processing using
Microsoft Excel
07. Application software –
presentation with Microsoft
PowerPoint
08. Application software – Databases Assignment 2
Data security
09. Application software – working Test 2
with Microsoft Access
10. Computer networks and Internet
services
11. Web development – Introduction
12. Web development – Domain
name registration and hosting a
website

6. Course Assessment /Evaluation

Evaluation Components and Grading Scale:
There will be two Tests, two assignments and one end of semester examination
10% - Test 1
15% - Test 2
10% - Assignment 1
5% - Assignment 2
60% - End of Semester Examination

7. Requirements and Regulations

Attendance Policy: Your success in this class depends on regular and punctual attendance. Please
arrive on time and stay in the room throughout the entire class period. Perhaps once in a while you
may need to answer an emergency call of nature, which is acceptable, but walking in and out, or
talking to your neighbour during lecture is distracting and rude to the rest of the class. Certainly there
is no reason to do this. Also, turn off all cellphones when the class starts.

No student will be allowed to sit for the final examination if s/he has not attended at least 75% of the
classes for this course and passed all the course work.

Information about Assignments:

All assignments are due at the beginning of class or as instructed. They should be appropriately
written and stapled. Anyone who is missing from the beginning of class, or leaves class to go and
collect an assignment, will be marked late. No Late assignments will be accepted (except due to
extenuating circumstances).

3|P a ge
8. Academic Integrity Statement
A violation of academic integrity is any instance when a student attempts to pass off someone else’s
words or ideas as their own, no matter where he/she obtained those words or ideas, and no matter
where these ideas are presented. There is nothing wrong with representing someone else’s ideas in
your work; you just have to give them credit by citing the work appropriately. All academic integrity
violations in this course will result referred to the appropriate authority including the College's
Academic Committee.

9. Disclaimer
This course outline is intended to give the student guidance during the semester and will be
followed as closely as possible. However, the lecturer reserves the right to supplement and make
changes as needed.

4|P a ge