CMSY-120 Introduction to Computer Systems
By the end of this course, students will be able to describe the historical development of computers; the characteristics, components, and use of computer systems; and the major programming languages. The fundamentals of problem solving and programming in a high-level language such as BASIC will be discussed and demonstrated.
Course Objectives
- 1. Explain what computer systems are and why data needs to be processed.
- 2. Identify the features of some of the equipment used to process data, both in the past and present.
- 3. Differentiate between software categories such as applications software, systems software and personal
productivity software, recognizing where each might be used. - 4. Distinguish among applications such as word processing, graphics, spreadsheets and data bases, having
seen them demonstrated, and evaluate when it is appropriate to use each of them. - 5. Discuss the steps involved in the analysis and design of a system for use on a computer and identify the
importance of each step. - 6. Differentiate between various programming languages, describe the steps involved in writing a program
and modify and/or prepare programs written in BASIC. - 7. Describe at least three common network designs and recognize various telecommunications and
networking vocabulary terms. - 8. Differentiate between various types of Information Systems as well as recognize some common Expert
Systems. - 9. Explain current state-of-the-art in computer systems (both hardware and software) and predict what the
future might bring to the field. - 10. Read at least two articles about computers from outside sources and write short papers evaluating those
outside readings.
Course Objectives
- 1. Explain what computer systems are and why data needs to be processed.
- 2. Identify the features of some of the equipment used to process data, both in the past and present.
- 3. Differentiate between software categories such as applications software, systems software and personal
productivity software, recognizing where each might be used. - 4. Distinguish among applications such as word processing, graphics, spreadsheets and data bases, having
seen them demonstrated, and evaluate when it is appropriate to use each of them. - 5. Discuss the steps involved in the analysis and design of a system for use on a computer and identify the
importance of each step. - 6. Differentiate between various programming languages, describe the steps involved in writing a program
and modify and/or prepare programs written in BASIC. - 7. Describe at least three common network designs and recognize various telecommunications and
networking vocabulary terms. - 8. Differentiate between various types of Information Systems as well as recognize some common Expert
Systems. - 9. Explain current state-of-the-art in computer systems (both hardware and software) and predict what the
future might bring to the field. - 10. Read at least two articles about computers from outside sources and write short papers evaluating those
outside readings.