IDCS Syllabus - DCT201 - Computer Technology

Introduction

The purpose of Computer Technology is 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.

This module provides a high level, business-oriented view of hardware, software and data communications, but does not include any aspects of systems development.

Candidates are expected to have some understanding of basic computer hardware and software. This might have been gained through a course e.g. the International Certificate in Computer Studies or as a user in business.

The skills and understanding developed in Computer Technology must be sufficient to support good computing practice on any of the popular desktop computing environments.

Candidates should be able to contribute to a discussion on the major trends in IT and how this might present opportunities to businesses.

All aspects of this syllabus must be explored through practical work in private study and in coursework assignments so that candidates are trained to meet the demands of the real world.

1-2 General Objectives

Upon successful completion of this module candidates will be able to demonstrate a satisfactory performance in the following topic areas:

A. Computer Applications.

Identify a range of common modern applications of computers that meet the information needs of a variety of users, extending from the small business user to the multi-national corporation.

B. Computer Architecture.

Discuss different models of computer architecture. These models will include the CPU and its operation, the relationship of the CPU to memory and peripherals and the relationship between one processor and another in a network.

C. Data Storage Devices.

Compare and contrast the characteristics of different types of input, output and data storage devices.

D. Data Types and Data Flows.

Describe the characteristic data types and data flows within a range of businesses.

E. Operating Systems.

Give examples of the requirements for, and use of, Operating Systems and the facilities they offer.

F. Data Storage and Retrieval.

Describe typical forms of data representation and their implications for data storage and retrieval. Describe some popular file structures and methods for handling large volumes of data.

G. Networks.

Describe the use of layered models to explore and understand communication networks and their practical implementation in real products and protocols. Describe the types of network architectures in use in business with some emphasis on client/server.

H. Internet.

Evaluate the use of the Internet from a data communications and a business applications viewpoint with strong emphasis on its use in e-commerce.

I. Multimedia.

Describe the benefits of multimedia in business, education and entertainment.

Specific Objectives

Objective A:Computer Applications

A1. Define computer systems, data and information.

A2. Describe why information systems are important in business.

A3. Identify and describe the major applications of computers in businesses of various types, ranging from the small to the multi-national. 

A4. Identify and describe the information needs in organisations of various sizes, including organisations that process large volumes of data. Show how computers can meet these demands.

A5. Define the concept of an organisation's database.

A6. Recognise the need for data communication.

A7. Identify and describe the personal information needs of users.

A8. Describe the characteristics and uses of applications packages (for example word-processing, spreadsheet, database, software tools) and define criteria for the selection of a package.

Objective B: Computer Architecture

B1. Illustrate the data processing function of a computer system with a simple input/process/output model and apply this to real computer hardware.

B2. Describe the basic architecture of a PC and give examples of common variations.

B3. Describe the processing cycle of a typical CPU, using this to illustrate the storage of data in primary storage, its input and output through peripherals.

B4. Define the typical ways in which computers and computer usage can be organised, including client/server, thin client and directly connected terminals.

Objective C: Data Storage Devices

C1. List the range of typical input devices used in business and industrial computer systems, describing their qualitative and performance characteristics.

C2. List the range of typical output devices used in business and industrial computer systems, describing their qualitative and performance characteristics.

C3. Describe the characteristics, particularly performance characteristics, of common magnetic and optical disc storage technologies and show how these would be applied to typical business applications and situations.

Objective D: Data Types and Data Flows

D1. Describe all the data types and data flows within a range of businesses.

D2. Show how these data requirements influence the types of computer system needed to meet the objectives of the business.

D3. Show how the volume of data and performance requirements of such businesses are met with different types of system architecture.  

Objective E: Operating Systems 

E1. Define and distinguish between the different types of software.

E2. Describe the different models of data processing, including batch, on-line, real-time, networked and distributed systems.

E3. Show how different models of data processing are appropriate for different types of business applications.

E4. Describe the main functions of Operating Systems.

E5. Show how different types of Operating System (OS) are required to support desktop users, departmental and enterprise systems. This should include a detailed description of Windows.

E6. Describe the facilities and utilities offered by different types of OS.

Objective F: Data Storage and Retrieval

F1. Describe the internal representation of data and various character coding systems.

F2. Describe why it is necessary to develop effective methods for managing and accessing large volumes of data.

F3. Explain and define the relationship between items of data held within records, files, arrays and other appropriate data structures.

F4. Explain the principal methods of file organisation and manipulation.

F5. Explain current methods for maintaining accuracy, security and control of data, including recovery procedures.

F6. Define database and database management systems and show how and why these are used in business.

F7. Illustrate the database concept using the relational model, explaining how this is used in practice.

F8. Demonstrate how data may be inserted into or deleted from such data structures.

F9. Apply algorithms to search for and retrieve data held within data structures.

F10. Apply elementary techniques for sorting items of data.

F11. Demonstrate the use of hashing algorithms, for example for generating address, hash and batch totals.

Objective G: Networks

G1. Define the major types of data communication networks.

G2. Apply a simple layered model to the understanding of different types of communication networks.

G3. List the characteristics of Local Area Networks (LAN).

G4. Describe the application of some popular LAN technology.

G5. List the characteristics of Wide Area Networks (WAN).

G6. Describe the application of hardware associated with WAN.

G7. Describe the types of hardware used and facilities available to support data communications.

G8. Use the Internet as a means of data communication.

Objective H: Internet

H1. Define the Internet and describe in outline its historical development.

H2. Show how the Internet is based on underlying communication protocols.

H3. Evaluate at least three different business models for the application of the Internet in business.

H4. Evaluate possible directions in which e-commerce is likely to develop.

Objective I: Multimedia

I1. Define and describe multimedia.

I2. Show how multimedia applications are used in business, education and entertainment.

I3. Discuss the specific hardware and software needed to support multimedia applications.

I4. Evaluate possible directions in which multimedia is likely to develop over the next five years.

Practical Work

Practical work and experience is a critically important part of this course. It is needed to give candidates an understanding of the context of their studies and confidence in moving on to the next stage in their developing career.

In the case of this module, it is important that candidates are exposed to the reality of the hardware and software that they have been discussing so that they can turn discussion and illustration into concrete recognition. This is particularly important because many candidates may only have had exposure to IT in a classroom setting and will find it difficult to relate their knowledge to a business or industrial setting.

Notes on Computer Technology

Candidates must build on this module to achieve a good understanding of the information processing needs of a variety of users and their organisations and how those needs dictate good computing practice.

Although the objectives are listed individually for the convenience of arranging the teaching, no objective should be considered in isolation. Candidates must see Computer Technology as a single subject, rather than a collection of separate topics.