‘pQUAID-E-AZAM UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD.

ISLAMABAD COLLEGE FOR GIRLS, F-6/2, ISLAMABAD.

BS-ENGLISH THIRD SEMESTER Course Code: GC201 Credit Hours :03
Course Title: Introduction to Information & Computer Technology (ICT) Skills
Course Objectives

• Understand the fundamentals of information technology

• Learn core concepts of computing and modern systems
• Understand modern software programs and packages
• Learn about upcoming IT technologies
Course Contents : Basic Definitions & Concepts, Hardware: Computer Systems & Components. Storage
Devices, Number Systems, Software: Operating Systems, Programming and Application Software,
Introduction to Programming, Databases and Information Systems, Networks, Data Communication, The
Internet, Browsers and Search Engines, Email, Collaborative Computing and Social Networking,
ECommerce, IT Security and other issues, IT Project.
Required Skills/ Pre-requisites for the course:

• Basic Knowledge of Computers

• Proficiency in Using Productivity Software (Ms. Word, Ms. PowerPoint etc. )
• Electronic Communication Skills and Internet Skills
Detailed Course Contents
ICT Skills Learning: Although the students are required to be familiar and comfortable with using
Ms. Word, Ms. PowerPoint, Email, Internet etc, but a 2 or 3 credit hours refresher course should be
arranged according to their Level of understanding.
Basic definitions and concepts.

• Define Computer and advantages and disadvantages of computers

• Data, information, their difference with examples
• Define Information communication technology
• A brief history of computers (abacus, Pascaline, slide rule, punch cards, analytical engine,
mechanical computing devices, computers with microprocessors)
• Briefly introduce generations and types of computers (analog, digital, hybrid)
• Classification of computers (super computers, main frame, mini computers, micro computers,
workstations etc)
• Uses of computers in different fields of life
• Introducing latest cutting-edge technologies in the field of information technology.
Hardware: computer system & components, storage devices

• Parts of a computer system (hardware, software, data, user)

• Block diagram of a computer
• Define Hardware, software
• Hardware parts (input devices, processing devices, storage devices, output devices,
communication devices)
• Define input devices with examples
• Briefly give the concept of processing devices and machine cycle, define CPU , CU and ALU
• Define output devices with examples
• Give the concept of hardcopy and softcopy output
• Brief concept of computer memory (RAM, ROM, registers, cache memory)
• Introduce briefly the secondary memory and names of storage devices.
• Give the concept of memory units (bit, byte, KB, MB, GB, TB ….etc.)
Number systems

• What are number systems

• Give brief concept of binary, octal, decimal and hexadecimal number system
 • Introduce the concept of binary number system for computers .
• Simple binary to decimal and decimal to binary conversions.
Software: operating system, programming & application software.

• What is software and its categories (system software, application software and utility
software)
• Define application software and its uses with examples.
• Define system software and its types (Device Drivers, Linkers, Loading Programs, Operating
Systems)
• Define operating system and its use. List the types of operating systems.
• Define utility softwares and its examples
• Define programming software.
Introduction to programming

• Introduce the concept of problem solving

• Briefly define the phases of SDLC .
• Briefly explain the concept and use of flowcharts
• Briefly explain the concept and use of Algorithms
• What is computer programming and its uses.
• Define programming languages and its categories with examples
• Give a brief concept of high level and low level languages.
• Briefly explain the concept of compilers, interpreters and assemblers
Databases and information systems

• What is an information system and its components

• What is a database and a DBMS
• What are the advantages of Database system over traditional file approach.
• Introduce the concept of table and relationships very briefly.
• Who is a database administrator and what is its responsibility.
Networks and data communication

• What is a computer network.

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of networks.
• What are the types of networks (WAN, LAN, MAN, PAN etc.)
• What is data communication
• Briefly introduce the communication or transmission media.
• Brief concept Wi-Fi, Li-Fi, 3G, 4G, 5G etc
• What are the elements of data communication system (sender, receiver, medium, message,
encoder/ decoder)
• What are different modes of data transmission (simplex, half duplex, full duplex)
• What is network topology. Name its few types.
• Define each type of topology with its main advantages and disadvantages.
The Internet, Browsers and Search engines

• What is internet and its advantages and disadvantages.

• Define basic terminologies of internet commonly used. (app, blog, browser, download,
ecommerce, email, hashtag, HTML, ISP, hyperlinks, phishing, social media, website, home page,
spam )
• Internet security and ways to protect ourselves online.
• What is a web browser and its examples.
• What is a search engine. Name common search engines.
Email, Collaborative Computing and social networking and E-commerce

• What is an email and its benefits

• Briefly explain the concepts of an email address, and its components . Why do we need a
password for our login.
 • What is collaborative computing and its use. (workgroup computing, video conferencing,
instant messaging)
• What is social networking.
• Briefly introduce sites used for social networking. (facebook, twitter, LinkedIn etc)
• What is social media.
• Introduce the concept of ecommerce.
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of ecommerce?
IT security and Other Issues (Cyber Security, Internet Security, Cyber Crime, Cyber Criminals,
computer virus and antivirus)

• What is IT security and why do we need it.

• Define cyber security and its benefits.
• Define cyber crime and cyber criminal.
• What are different types of cyber crime. Briefly define some of them.
• What is cyber law.
• List some cyber crimes and their punishments in Pakistan (introduce National Response
Centre for Cyber Crime NR3C)
• What is a computer virus and its types (worms, trojan horse, bombs).
• How can a computer virus spread. What precautions should we take to remain safe from virus.
• What is an antivirus. Name few commonly used.
Sample IT Projects and Assignments

1. What are the uses of computers in different fields of life.

• Type your assignment in Ms. Word. Do your research using different search engines and
websites. Add pictures also.
• Submit the hard copy of your assignment on A4 size paper.
• Email your assignment to the teacher.
2. Make a group presentation in Ms. PowerPoint on any one of the following topics:
• social media, ecommerce or networking
• Present it in class with stress on using audio/visual aids and skills.
• Also submit the hard copy of your presentation.
3. Make a group presentation in Ms. PowerPoint on any one of the poems or short stories that
you are covering in your course work.
• Enhance your work with the use of graphics and animations.
• Read your poem/ story along with your presentation for more impact.
4. Watch a movie/play/drama dealing with cybercrime issue. Write a review and mention your
ideas how to deal with the situation provided in the show.
5. Discuss any two of the cutting edge technologies in detail. You can use internet, newspapers,
magazines or any other material for your research.
6. What are different network topologies, its advantages and disadvantages. Use search engines
for authentic information. Add pictures to your assignments.

Recommended Readings

• Bruce J. McLaren, Understanding and Using the Internet, West Publishing Company, 610
Opperman Drive, P. 0. Box 64526, St. Paul, MN 55164.
• Computer Applications for Business, 2nd Edition, DDC Publishing, New York,
• Nita Hewitt Rutkosky, Microsoft Office Professional, Paradigm Publishing Company, 875 Montreal
Way, St Paul, MN 55102. 42
• Robert D. Shepherd, Introduction to Computers and Technology, Paradigm Publishing Inc., 875
Montreal Way, St. Paul, MN 55102.
• Shelly Cashman Waggoner, Discovering Computers 98, International Thomson Publishing
Company, One Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142.
• V. Wayne Klemin and Ken Harsha, Microcomputers, A Practical Approach to Software
Applications, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, NY 10016.
Ms. Sabah Faisal (HOD Computer Science, ICG,F-6/2)