COMP 20013 Introduction to Computing

Course Syllabus

Course Description
Introduction to Computing (3 UNITS) This course, using both lecture and laboratory practice,
introduces students to basic computer concepts in hardware, software, networking, computer
security, programming, database, e-commerce, decision support systems, and other emerging
technologies such as blogs, wiki, RSS, podcasting, and Google applications. Additional lectures
examine social, legal, ethical issues including privacy, intellectual property, health concerns, green
computing, and accessibility. Students learn techniques to search, evaluate, validate, and cite
information found online. Widely used applications including word processing, spreadsheets,
databases, presentation, and web development software are studied.

Prerequisites
Knowledge of high school algebra.

General Education Course

Almost no area of academic, professional, or personal life is untouched by the information

technology revolution. Success in college and beyond requires computer and information literacies
that are flexible enough to change with a changing IT environment and adaptable to new problems
and tasks.

The purpose of the information technology requirement is to ensure that students achieve an
essential understanding of information technology infrastructure encompassing systems and
devices; learn to make the most of the Web and other network resources; protect their digital data
and devices; take advantage of latest technologies; and become more sophisticated technology
users and consumers.

1. Students will be able to use technology to locate, access, evaluate, and use information, and
appropriately cite resources from digital/electronic media.

2. Students will understand the core IT concepts in a range of current and emerging technologies
and learn to apply appropriate technologies to a range of tasks.

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3. Students will understand many of the key ethical, legal and social issues related to information
technology and how to interpret and comply with ethical principles, laws, regulations, and
institutional policies.

4. Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate, create, and collaborate effectively using
state-of-the-art information technologies in multiple modalities.

5. Students will understand the essential issues related to information security, how to take
precautions and use techniques and tools to defend against computer crimes.

Objectives
After successful completion of the course, the students will be able to –
Understand basic functions of computer hardware and software components including
operating system functions
Understand basic Logic and Programming
Identify various networks (LAN, WAN, intranet), topologies (ring, bus, star), protocols
(TCP/IP, SMTP, POP & IMAP, HTTP & HTTPS, DNS), media types (wire pair, coaxial cable, fiber
optics, microwave, radio frequency, infra-red), and network hardware (router, hub, gateway)
Know how to use search techniques (inclusion, exclusion, wildcards, phrase, Boolean
search), evaluate the information found on Web pages (chat rooms, newsgroups, RSS,
podcasting sites, Wikipedia, blogs), and cite electronic and printed references
Understand computer viruses, biometric devices, encryption technique, digital signature,
email filtering, firewall, and precautions on Web
Understand ethical issues regarding copyright, software licenses, information privacy,
intellectual property, content filtering, Spam, and laws enacted with regards to SPAM,
children’s protection on Web, electronic communication, and electronic theft
Understand IT impact on society (health and environment)
Use different application programs like word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and
database management systems
Understand the fundamentals of system analysis, life cycle of a program development and
programming languages, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce.

Credit by Examination
Students grade are credited by examinations such as quizzes , practical exams and major exams

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Textbooks

There are two textbooks for the course.

1. Kendal/Hunt Introduction to Computer Information System,

1st Edition. ISBN: 978-0-7575-5191-8 Steinberg (Author).

2. Kendal/Hunt. Fundamentals of Computing, 3rd edition. ISBN:

978-0-7575-8556-2 Customized e-book, available at book
and from publisher’s website –
http://www.khwebcom.com/fundofcomputing

Schedule

Week Lecture/Topic Lecture Reading Assignment

Introduction to the course
Research paper specifications
posted under Project’s folder
Project part I: Research paper specification
1
review
InfoGuide
Library and Internet Research (http://infoguides.gmu.edu/it103)

2 Internet and WWW Chapter 2

3 Hardware Chapter 3
4 Software Chapter 4
5 Data Communications and Networking Chapter 5
Systems Analysis
Chapter 6
6 Project part I: Research Paper Due
Review Sheet posted on
Blackboard
Midterm Exam Review

7 Midterm Exam

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XHTML Chapter 9
8 Project part II: Website specification review
9 Computer Programming Chapter 7
10 Database and SQL Chapter 8
E-commerce
11 Chapter 10
Project part II:

12 Security, Ethics, and Privacy Chapter 11

Artificial Intelligence
13 Chapter 12 & 14
Future of Computing
Chapter 13
Impact of Computing on Society
14
Final Exam

This schedule is subject to revision before and throughout the course

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