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COLLIN COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Information
Course Number: COSC 1301
Course Title: Computers and Technology
Course Description: Overview of computer systems — hardware, operating systems, and microcomputer application
software, including the Internet, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, and databases. Current
issues such as the effect of computers on society, and the history and use of computers in business, educational,
and other modern settings are also studied. This course is not intended to count toward a student's major field of
study in business or computer science.
Course Credit Hours:
Lecture Hours:
3
3
Placement Assessments: College-Level Reading
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to do the following:
1.0 DEMONSTRATE COMPETENCY IN GENERAL COMPUTER CONCEPTS.
1.1 Discuss the milestones in computer history.
1.2 Contrast the five generations of computer hardware and software.
1.3 Define what a computer is and list the four elements that make up a computer system: Hardware,
Firmware, Software, and User.
1.4 Understand the four parts of the hardware system: Input, Processing, Output; and Secondary Storage.
1.5 Define what software is and understand the three categories of software: Systems software, Applications
software, and Software Development tools.
1.6 List and compare the two data processing methods: off-line (batch) and on-line (real-time, time-share,
interactive).
1.7 Compare the two computer types (analog and digital) and list several examples of each.
1.8 Compare microcomputers, mainframe computers, and super computers.
1.9 Define the term multimedia computer and discuss common applications of such a computer.
1.10 Understand the purpose and technology of computer communications and networking.
2.0 DEMONSTRATE COMPETENCY IN COMPUTER HARDWARE AND FIRMWARE CONCEPTS.
2.1 List, point out, and discuss the functions of major, internal architectural features of a microcomputer:
Motherboard, CPU, Co-processor, ROMs, RAM, BIOS ROMS, EPROMS, Expansion Slots, DIP switches,
and the power supply.
2.2 List and discuss the functions of the CPU components.
2.3 Understand how the CPU uses the four steps of a machine cycle to process data.
2.4 List and compare several common input devices: Keyboards, Mouse, Joystick, POS terminals, OCR , OMR
(Scantron), MICR, Light Pen, Touch screen, and Digitizer Pad.
2.5 Understand how scanners and other reading devices work.
2.6 Identify and compare impact and non-impact printers and plotters.
2.7 Discuss factors that affect the quality of a display device.
2.8 Discuss the MODEM with regard to its use in telecommunications and its use as an interface between
analog telephone systems and digital computer systems.
2.9 List, identify, and discuss the physical features and functions of the floppy and micro diskette.
2.10 Discuss and compare the format, physical features, and access methods of Diskettes, Hard Disks, Tapes,
CD’s (CD-R, CD-RW, etc.), and DVDs.
2.11 Discuss virtual (RAM) disk and optical disk storage.
2.12 Identify the terms Bit, Byte, Kilobyte, Megabyte, Gigabyte, Word, and Address and relate these to primary
(RAM) storage.
2.13 Compare RAM, ROM, PROM, and EPROM.
2.14 Convert data among the decimal, binary, and hexadecimal number systems.
2.15 Discuss how data is represented in microcomputer memory by the ASCII code.
3.0 DEMONSTRATE COMPETENCY IN OPERATING SYSTEMS/UTILITY SOFTWARE KNOWLEDGE AND USE.
3.1 Understand the startup process for a personal computer.
3.2 Define what an operating system is, and discuss the components of the control programs and the service
(utility) programs.
3.3 Understand how system software interacts with application software.
3.4 Know the difference between stand-alone operating systems and network operating systems.
3.5 Identify, contrast, and compare various operating systems.
3.6 Demonstrate basic competency and understanding of the Windows operating system. Complete a
Windows lab project.
4.0 DEMONSTRATE COMPETENCY IN APPLICATION SOFTWARE.
4.1 Understand the underlying principle for computer communication.
4.2 Define e-mail, chat rooms, newsgroups, instant messaging, and videoconferencing.
4.3 Start and use an e-mail program to send electronic messages (with attachments), and open and use an email program to check, read and reply to messages received.
4.4 Understand the underlying principles for word processing.
4.5 Define word processing and list the basic functions of word processing: Enter, Edit, Format, and Print text.
4.6 Identify the terms: Word Wrap, Insert Mode, Overwrite Mode, Block, Justification, Font, Search and
Replace, Mail Merge, Spelling Checker, Thesaurus, Style Checker, Print (Dot) commands, Scrolling, and
WYSIWYG.
4.7 Define desktop publishing and discuss hardware and software requirements.
4.8 Demonstrate basic competency and understanding of Microsoft Word. Complete a Word Processing lab
project.
4.9 Understand the underlying principles for word processing.
4.10 Identify the advantages of spreadsheets.
4.11 Explain what a spreadsheet package is and compare it with an integrated spreadsheet.
4.12 Define, cell, cell pointer (cursor), window, label, value, formula, function, local and global format, width,
relative addresses, and what-if analysis.
4.13 Discuss the characteristics of and explain when one would use a pie chart, line chart, and bar chart.
4.14 Explain what a presentation graphics package is and its uses in business and industry.
4.15 Demonstrate basic competency and understanding of Microsoft Excel. Complete a spreadsheet lab project.
4.16 Understand the underlying principles for database management systems (DBMS) and discuss relational
database systems.
4.17 Discuss the advantages of using a database management system (DBMS).
4.18 Define Record, File, and Field.
4.19 Explain why data and information are important to an organization.
4.20 Describe the organization of sequential, direct, and indexed sequential files, their advantages and
disadvantages.
4.21 Demonstrate basic competency and understanding of Microsoft Access. Complete a DBMS lab project.
4.22 Understand the underlying principles for presentation graphics software.
4.23 Define slides, thumbnails, slide show, placeholders, textareas, clipart, and image import.
4.24 Understand the difference between object linking and embedding.
4.25 Demonstrate basic competency and understanding of Microsoft PowerPoint. Complete a graphic
presentation lab project, using multi-level bulletted slides and insert clip art, sound, and/or video into a
multimedia presentation.
5.0 DEMONSTRATE COMPETENCY IN PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES.
5.1 Describe and contrast the several classes of programming languages, including machine, assembly, highlevel, query and database, natural and intelligent, object-oriented, and visual programming languages.
5.2 Understand program development and the use of pseudocode as a tool in problem solving.
5.3 Identify, create, and read basic flowchart symbols: Decision Block, Input/Output Block, Terminals,
Connectors, Flow arrows, and Process Block.
5.4 Complete a programming lab project. Develop appropriate pseudocode and a flowchart to solve a problem,
demonstrating and understanding of the programming process and problem solving/critical thinking skills.
5.5 Convert numeric value from one numbering system to another (Binary, Hexadecimal, Decimal).
6.0 DEMONSTRATE COMPETENCY IN THE USE OF COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY.
6.1 Briefly describe how the Internet works, including alternatives for connecting to it and the role of the Internet
service providers.
6.2 Identify and briefly describe eight services associated with the Internet.
6.3 Describe the World Wide Web, including tools to view and search the Web.
6.4 Identify several issues associated with the use of networks.
6.5 Identify and describe communications transmission media, characteristics, and devices used in networks.
6.6 Identify and describe network types and topologies.
6.7 Identify who is using the Web to conduct business, and discuss some of the pros and cons of Web
shopping.
6.8 Define the term E-commerce and discuss how an E-commerce system must support the many stages
consumers experience in the sales life cycle.
6.9 Discuss how to develop a web page using web authoring software and/or HTML.
6.10 Understand how to use an application to publish a simple web page.
6.10 Demonstrate basic competency in and understanding of web page development. Complete a web page lab
project.
6.11 Complete an Internet lab to include e-mail Internet services.
7.0 DEMONSTRATE COMPETENCY IN ISSUES RELATED TO INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND SOCIETY.
7.1 Discuss some of the major problems that have been caused by the introduction of computers: computer
crime, invasion of privacy, and health issues.
7.2 Discuss ethical issues with respect to the information age – unauthorized use, software theft, information
privacy, information accuracy, and codes of ethical conduct.
7.3 Recognize the issues associated with the digital divide.
7.4 Identify the various types of security risks that can threaten computers.
7.5 Recognize how a computer virus works and the necessary steps to prevent viruses.
7.6 Discuss some of the predictions and trends for future computer use in our lives individually and in society.
7.7 Discuss computer careers and the earning potential of those careers.
Withdrawal Policy: See the current Collin Registration Guide for last day to withdraw.
Collin College Academic Policies: See the current Collin Student Handbook.
Americans with Disabilities Act Statement: Collin College will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws,
regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal
educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCC-G200 or 972.881.5898
(V/TTD: 972.881.5950) to arrange for appropriate accommodations. See the current Collin Student Handbook for
additional information.