Course Details

1. Describe and understand the function of the basic components and peripherals of a computer and its uses in the modern world.
2. Examine and apply number and data conversion techniques and understand the importance of binary coding and the operations permitted on binary digits.
3. Describe and distinguish the different areas of Computer Science and appreciate the value and contribution of each area of CS.
4. Explain how the various areas of computing complete the sphere of knowledge of Computer Science.
5. Demonstrate basic knowledge to providing solutions in troubleshooting computer software, hardware, and peripheral devices.

Overview of the computing discipline: Historic evolution of computing. Disciplines of computing, relation of the computer science discipline with related disciplines such as computer engineering, information systems and software engineering.

Elements of a computer system: Hardware: digital logic level, CPU, memory Input/Output and peripheral devices. Software: programming languages, compilers/interpreters, operating system, and application software.

Introduction to computer programming: fundamental programming constructs, flowcharts and implementation of simple algorithms in pseudo code, algorithmic problem solving.

Computer Science: Overview of the directions of the computer science course: Information and Database Systems, Theoretical Computer Science, Software Engineering and Development, Artificial Intelligence, System Development and Administration, Computer Networks.

• Forouzan Behrouz, Foundations of Computer Science. From Data manipulation to Theory of Computation, Thomson Course Technology, 2003.

• Nell Dale, John Lewis, Computer Science Illuminated, Jones and Bartlett, 2004.

The taught part of course is delivered to the students by means of lectures, conducted with the help of computer presentations. Lecture notes and presentations are available through the e-learning platform and the web for students to use in combination with the textbooks.