Course Snapshot for CIS115 - Introduction to Computer Information System

Module 1 Learning Outcomes

1. Define the word computer and name the four basic operations that a computer performs. 
2. Describe the two main components of a computer system: hardware and software. 
3. Give an example of the information-processing cycle in action.
4. Discuss the two major categories and the various types of computers.
5. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of computer use.
6. Recognize the ethical and societal impacts of computer usage.
7. Discuss how computers affect employment.
8. List ways to be a responsible computer user.
9. Understand how computers represent data.
10. Understand the measurements used to describe data transfer rates and data storage capacity.
11. List the components found inside the system unit and explain their use.
12. List the components found on the computer’s motherboard and explain their role in the functioning of the computer’s systems.
13. Discuss (in general terms) how a CPU processes data.
14. Explain the factors that determine a microprocessor’s performance.
15. List the various types of memory found in a computer system and explain the purpose of each.
16. Describe the various physical connectors on the exterior of the system unit and explain their use. 

Module 2 Learning Outcomes

Mapped to Course Competencies (above)

1. Identify and define the purpose of the special keys on the keyboard the most frequently used pointing devices.
   
2. Classify the types of monitors and the characteristics that determine a monitor’s quality.
   
3. Rate major types of printers and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each.

   
4. Differentiate between memory and storage.

   
5. Discuss how storage media and devices are categorized.

   
6. Recognize factors that affect hard disk performance.

   
7. Explain how data is stored on hard disks and flash drives.

   
8. Describe solid-state storage devices and compare them with other types of storage devices.
9. Compare two major components of system software.

   
10. Describe the five basic functions of an operating system.
    
11. Explain why a computer needs an operating system.

    
12. Explain what happens when you turn on a computer.
    
13. Recognize the three major types of user interfaces.


    
14. Summarize the three categories of operating systems.
    
15. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the most popular operating systems.


    
16. Describe system utilities that are considered essential.


    
17. Explain data backup procedures.


    
18. Understand troubleshooting techniques and determine probable solutions to any operating system problems you may encounter.
    
19. Explain how system software supports application software.

    
20. Describe the most popular types of general-purpose applications.

    
21. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of standalone programs, integrated programs, and software suites.

    
22. Discuss the advantages of Web-hosted technology and file compatibility.


    
23. Explain the concept of software versions and software upgrades.


    
24. Explain how commercial software, shareware, freeware, and public domain software differ.


    
25. Describe the essential concepts of application software and the skills needed to use it.




Module 3 Learning Outcomes

Mapped to Course Competencies (above)

1. Define the Internet, and explain how it works.
2. Describe methods for accessing the Internet.
3. Differentiate between the Internet and the World Wide Web and
4. Define and differentiate between the Internet and the World Wide Web.
5. Define and explain the concept of hypertext.
   
6. Contrast Web browsers and Web servers.

   
7. Explain the parts of a URL and how to access Web pages.

   
8. Contrast Web subject guides and search engines

   
9. Explain how search operators can improve Web search results.


   
10. Evaluate the reliability of information on a Web page.


    
11. Describe the most popular Internet services and explain what they do.


    
12. Identify and describe the three types of e-commerce.


    
13. Spot the indicators of a secure Web site.


    
14. Recognize the hazards of using the Web.


    
15. Describe safe surfing procedures.


16. Explain basic networking concepts.

    
17. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of networks.

    
18. Distinguish between peer-to-peer (P2P) and client/server local area networks (LANs).

    
19. Define topology and understand how the three LAN topologies differ.

    
20. Explain the importance of network protocols.


    
21. Name the most widely used LAN protocol and its versions.


    
22. Identify the special components of a wide area network (WAN) that differentiate it from a LAN.


    
23. Contrast circuit-switching and packet-switching networks and explain their respective strengths and weaknesses.


    
24. Identify the options, components, configuration, and maintenance of a home area network (HAN).
25. Define bandwidth and discuss the bandwidth needs of typical users.


    
26. Discuss how modems transform digital computer signals into analog signals.


    
27. Describe transmission media and explain several transmission methods.


    
28. Explain the limitations of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) for sending and receiving computer data.



    
29. Describe multiplexing and digital telephony, including their impact on
    
30. line usage.



    
31. Provide examples of how digitization and convergence are blurring the boundaries that distinguish popular communications devices, including phones and computers.
    
32. Discuss various wired and wireless applications.

Module 4 Learning Outcomes

Mapped to Course Competencies (above)

1. Explain how technological developments are eroding privacy and anonymity.
2. Describe the types of computer crime and cyber-crime.
3. Describe the types of computer criminals.
4. Cite computer system security risks.
5. Describe how to protect your computer system and yourself.
6. Define encryption and explain how it makes online information secure.
7. Describe the issues the government faces when balancing the need to access encrypted data and the public’s right to privacy.
8. Describe traditional information technology (IT) career paths and how these paths are changing.

   
9. Compare and contrast computer science (CS) and management information systems (MIS) curricula in colleges and universities.

   
10. Describe two settings in which most IT workers find employment and list at least three typical job titles.


    
11. Identify the business skills that information systems (IS) managers want in new IT workers.


    
12. . Evaluate the technical skills currently in high demand.



    
13. . Discuss both the positive and negative aspects of certification
14. Explain what a programming language is.

    
15. Contrast machine language and assembly language.

    
16. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of high-level programming languages.

    
17. Explain how object-oriented languages attempt to remedy the shortcomings of earlier languages.

    
18. Identify several popular object-oriented languages and explain their advantage over older languages.


    
19. Describe the six phases of the program development life cycle (PDLC) and explain why the PDLC is needed.


    
20. Explain why top-down program design makes programs easier to debug and maintain.



    
21. List the three basic types of control structures and explain the advantages of each.



    
22. Differentiate between syntax errors and logic errors in programs.

Module 5 Learning Outcomes

Mapped to Course Competencies (above)

1. Recognize the potential uses of database programs.
   
2. Describe the basic components of a database.
   
3. Distinguish between file management programs and relational database management systems, and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each.
   
4. Understand advanced database programs and applications, such as data warehouses, data mining, client/server database systems, and Web-database integration.

   
5. Describe the basic qualities of a good database.

   
6. Define the components and main functions of an information system.


   
7. Recognize the functional divisions of an organization.


   
8. Describe the major types of information systems used in today’s organizations.


   
9. Describe how the retail sector is taking advantage of computer databases to increase sales and gain a competitive edge.



10. Explain what systems analysts do.
11. Understand the concept of a system and its life cycle.
12. Discuss why the systems development life cycle (SDLC) is so widely used.
13. Explain the five phases of the SDLC.
14. Describe the classic mistakes of failed information systems development projects and how systems analysts can avoid them.
15. Discuss the activities in each of the five phases of the SDLC.
16. Name the deliverables of each of the five phases of the SDLC.
17. Contrast enterprise and personal computing.
18. Define the term business process and briefly describe the flow of business processes within an organization.
19. Differentiate between centralized and distributed technology management.
20. Name the tools that are commonly used in enterprise computing.
21. Describe the various enterprise storage systems.
22. Explain electronic data interchange and the features that make it popular.
23. Discuss how enterprises use teleconferencing.
24. Describe telecommuting and workgroup computing.