| Aim of Module | Students will gain an understanding of the operation of computer systems and of basic data communications. |
| Credits | 7 |
| Student Learning hours | 70 |
| Content Revised | 2000 |
| Prescription Expiry Date | Nov 2007 |
| Note | This is a Compulsory ICT L5 (CBC) Module |
| Topics | Highest Skill Level | Suggested Assessment Percentage | |
| 1 CPU | C | 20 | |
| 2 Memory & Storage | C | 20 | |
| 3 I/O Devices | C | 15 | |
| 4 Categories of Computers | C | 5 | |
| 5 Process Control | C | 5 | |
| 6 Ergonomics & Environment | C | 10 | |
| 7 Data Communications | C | 25 | |
| 100 | |||
| LEARNING OUTCOMES The Student Will | ||
| C | 1 | Identify the main components of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), including internal memory, explain the way in which they interact, and describe an example of a current CPU. |
| C | 2 | Identify the main types of memory and storage and their characteristics, explain the various terms associated with these, and examine the various types of media used. |
| C | 3 | List the features and describe the operation and application of various input and output devices. |
| C | 4 | List the various categories of computers, identify their characteristics and examine their utilisation in modern applications. |
| C | 5 | Explain process control systems, the concept of ‘’real time’’ processing, event-driven systems, and the application of these systems. |
| C | 6 | Explain the basic principles of ergonomics and the environmental requirements for equipment. |
| C | 7 | Define the various terms and identify the characteristics of the equipment associated with data communications and networks and describe the application of each. |
The use of local installations as examples, where applicable, is recommended. | ||
| 1 | CPU |
| > | The interaction of the CPU components will be examined using the execution of a simple instruction sequence such as: input 2 numbers, add them, and output the sum. | |
| > | A selection of current CPUs will be compared in the following terms: | |
| -name | ||
| -manufacturer | ||
| -word size | ||
| -bus width | ||
| -clock speed | ||
| -MIPS | ||
| 2 | Memory & Storage |
| > | In examining the various types of memory and storage the purpose and use of each type will be explained. | |
| 3 | I/O Devices |
| > | Input and output devices will include the following: | |
| - keyboard | ||
| - mouse | ||
| - printer | ||
| - screen | ||
| and may include: | ||
| - modem | ||
| - scanner/digitiser | ||
| - optical reader | ||
| - voice recognition | ||
| - magnetic card reader | ||
| - plotter | ||
| - any other relevant device | ||
| 4 | Categories of Computers |
| > | The various categories of computers from PCs to Mainframes will be examined in light of their differences including: | |
| - size | ||
| - cost | ||
| - memory and storage capacity | ||
| - processing capability | ||
| 5 | Process Control |
| > | At least two examples of the application of these systems; eg. traffic light control, will be examined. | |
| 6 | Ergonomics & Environment |
| > | The application of ergonomics to workstation design will include discussion about Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS). | |
| > | Equipment environmental requirements will include considerations such as: | |
| - temperature control | ||
| - provision | ||
| - quality and stability of power supply | ||
| 7 | Data Communications |
| > | Data communications terms will include: | |
| - bandwidth | ||
| - baud/bit rate (and their units of measurement) | ||
| - frequency (and the unit of measurement) | ||
| - channel | ||
| - protocol | ||
| - host | ||
| - terminal | ||
| - local and remote | ||
| > | Data communications equipment will include modems and multiplexers. | |
| > | Network terms will include: | |
| - local area (LAN) | ||
| - wide area (WAN) | ||
| - switched (PSTN) | ||
| - packet switching (PSN) | ||
| - digital data network (DDN) | ||
| - Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) | ||
| and may include: | ||
| - frame relay | ||
| - asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) | ||
| - those associated with other current network protocols | ||
| > | Network topologies will include: | |
| - point-to-point | ||
| - multipoint | ||
| - star | ||
| - ring | ||
| - bus | ||
| - mesh | ||
| > | Mention should be made of the practical implications and problems associated with the networking of terminal equipment. | |