International Diploma in Computer Studies (IDCS)

Syllabus

Introduction

This is a diploma course providing a foundation in Information Technology during which candidates are prepared for practical work in computing and information processing.

The objectives of the course are to:

• deliver well trained people with effective and practical business oriented IT skills capable of making a real contribution in the work place;

• give candidates the opportunity to specialise in particular technical and business options through the use of electives;

• establish an international standard of high quality training leading to universally recognised qualifications.

The qualification consists of 4 compulsory modules, 4 elective modules and a project.

Compulsory Units in Brief (Click on the unit title to view the detailed syllabus)

Computer Technology

Aim : to give candidates a detailed and secure foundation in the various computer technologies that they must master in order to function effectively in a technical role.

Systems Development

Aim: to give candidates knowledge of the methods, disciplines, techniques and skills used by IT systems development teams so that they have a thorough appreciation of how such teams operate and the implications for the business users and customers of IT systems. This specifically does not require candidates to have any skills in programming or other aspects of the development process. Candidates will, however, be expected to have a good understanding of some of the mathematical techniques that are necessary for system design.

Business Organisation

Aim: to give candidates an understanding of the various types of organisation, the principal functional areas within organisations, the information needs of organisations and the needs of employees in the workplace.

Business Communication

Aim: to give candidates the necessary skills to communicate effectively with both IT practitioners and users of information systems and to understand the broader information needs of organisations.

Selection of Electives.

Candidates will select 4 modules from the list of elective modules. The aim of the electives is to give candidates the freedom to explore the topics that will be of most benefit to them in their developing career. Where a candidate selects and passes 2 or more modules from the same topic then the Diploma will be endorsed "Majoring in Topic." If a candidate selects only 1 module from 4 different topics then the Diploma awarded at the end of course will not be endorsed with a "Majoring Topic." It is possible for candidates to major in more than one topic.

Example 1

If a candidate took and passed:

Developing a Web Site

Multimedia

E-Commerce

A+

Then this candidate would major in “ E-Commerce, Internet and Multimedia”.

Example 2 

If a candidate took and passed:

A+

Developing a Web site

Computerised Accounting

Structured Programming Methods 

This candidate would receive the standard IDCS diploma without a “majoring in topic” as they have selected one elective from each topic heading.

Elective Topics: (Click on the unit title to view the detailed syllabus)

Computer Programming

• Structured Programming Methods (compulsory, within elective if students want Computer Programming as a major topic).

• Java

• VB6.

Computer Technical Support

• A+ (PC Support Technician)
• Networking

Internet and Multimedia

• Developing a Web site

• Multimedia

E-Commerce

• E-Commerce

• Developing a Web site

General

• Computerised Accounting

Project.  

Aim: To help candidates develop a practical view of the work within a typical IT department. It will be based on one (or more) of the electives chosen and designed to exercise the knowledge and skills learned in both the compulsory and elective modules. 

Click ----- here---- to know more about the project details.

Weighting

The following table shows the weightings for each section in IDCS.