Description:

Presents a general overview of information technology. Topics include how computers work, different types of computers, input and data storage devices, operating systems, data communications, systems analysis and design, and ethics. Prerequisite: Placement by assessment into ENGL 089. Completion of ENGL 092 or 093.

Outcomes:

After completing this class, students should be able to:

• Describe the five categories of computer hardware: input, processing, storage, output, and communications.
• Explain what a computer-based information system is by focusing on hardware, software, data/information, procedures, people and communications (connectivity).
• Explain how data is represented and stored in a computer system
• Explain the functions of processor, RAM, and registers.
• Describe input and output hardware, including video devices, electronic cameras. Sensors, multimedia, pointing devices, scanners, and terminals.
• Describe storage, including the difference between primary and secondary storage, the characteristics of diskettes, flash memory and backup.
• Name and describe system software, including the components, interfaces, and common operating systems.
• Describe features common to applications software, software specialty tools, and the importance of software copyright violation.
• Explain the basic communications principles of analog and digital signals, modems, communications software, and protocols.
• Identify and explain the various communications channels, both wired and wireless.
• Make preliminary decisions about which career in computers to pursue.
• Describe the phases of the systems development life cycle, four basic approaches to implementing a new computer-based information system.
• Explain what a program is, compare and contrast object-oriented and visual programming, and identify some traditional programming languages.
• Describe the function of a database, and the differences between a file namagement and database management system.
• Define e-commerce and its impact on computer systems.