MASENO UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATICS
DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
UCI 101: FOUNDATIONS OF IT – SOE
1. COURSE OBJECTIVE
The goal of this course is to introduce the student to computer hardware and software, as
well as operating systems, networking concepts, mobile devices, IT security and
troubleshooting.
INSTRUCTOR: Kennedy Abwao
MOBILE: 0721587688
EMAIL: kenabwao@yahoo.co.uk
IMPORTANT If you have any concerns about this course, kindly contact me first.
NOTICE: If I am unable to resolve your issue, please contact the IT
department office and speak to the department chairman.
Please DO NOT wait until the last minute to make your concerns
known to me and/or to the department chairman.
LEARNING By the end of the course, students will be able to:
OUTCOMES: • Identify appropriate computer components of personal
computers
• Explain number systems
• Assemble/disassemble personal computers
• Perform basic troubleshooting on personal computers
• Explain characteristics of laptops and other mobile devices
• Carry out basic installation of peripheral devices
• Describe virtualisation and cloud computing
• Navigate and perform basic customisation and file
management activities on common operating systems
GRADING: CATS ASSESSMENTS 30%
END OF SEMESTER EXAMINATION 70%
MAKE-UP POLICY: There are NO MAKEUP CATs, assignments or exams. All
assessments will have strict due dates
DETAILED COURSE CONTENT
WEEK TOPIC DESCRIPTION
WEEK 1 Introduction to IT • Introduction
• Uses of computer in day to day life
• Classification of computers
• Advantages and disadvantages
WEEK 2 Introduction to personal • Personal computers
computer hardware • PC components
• Peripheral devices
WEEK 3 Computer assembly and • Disassembling a PC
disassembly • Assembling a PC
• Health and safety, protecting the environment
WEEK 4 Number systems • Decimal number system
• Binary Number system
• Hexadecimal Number system
WEEK 5 Preventive maintenance • Why preventive maintenance must be
and troubleshooting performed on personal computers
• Troubleshoot basic problems with PCs and
Peripheral devices
WEEK 6 Networking concepts • How networks impact our day to day lives
• Network components
• The internet & WWW
WEEK 7 Laptops and mobile • Characteristics of laptops and other mobile
devices devices
• Other mobile device hardware
• How to configure network connectivity and
email on mobile devices
WEEK 8 Virtualisation and cloud • Explain cloud and virtualisation
computing • Compare and contrast cloud computing
concepts
WEEK 9 Operating systems • Explain operating system requirements
• windows customisation
• File management in windows
WEEK 10 Mobile, Linux and OSX • Purpose and characteristics of mobile
operating systems operating systems
• Methods for securing mobile devices
WEEK 11 Security • Security threats
• Securing windows workstations
• Best practices
WEEK 12 Course overview • Course feedback
• Final assessments
2. TEACHING METHODOLOGY
Teaching may involve lectures, laboratory activities, group exercise, research,
videos, exercises & assignments, Discussion and presentations
3. COURSE TEXT AND RECOMMENDED READING
PC Hardware, Maintenance & troubleshooting N. S. Reddy
Fundamentals of computers Akash Saxena
cisco.netacad.net
4. COURSE EVALUATION
Assignments & Exercises: 10%
CATs: 20%
Final Exam: 70%
5. BASIC UNIVERSITY RULES
• Since the classes are practical in nature, students MUST achieve 80% class
attendance
• Deadlines MUST be observed
• No makeup CATs/Assignments
