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FPCS 101 Basic Computing Skills in English- Course outlines
Syllabus:
1. Fundamentals of computers Week 1(2), 2(1) (6 hours)
a) Describe the main functional blocks of a computer system and how they work in sequence
to process information.
b) Hardware:
- Identify and describe the function of different hardware components such as CPU,
storage systems, types of memories like RAM, ROM etc. and common input and
output devices.
- Compare and contrast different types of computers, including network computers,
personal computers, laptops and PDAs.
- Explain the terms Hertz (incl. MHz, GHz) and byte (incl. KB, MB, GB, TB).
c) Software:
- Identify and explain the different types of software: operating systems, application
software and programming software.
- Install and uninstall software applications.
d) Working with Computers:
- Identify the requirements for a computer suitable for purchasing for student usage.
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of computer ergonomics (seating, lighting,
positioning, ventilation etc.) and explain the common health problems associated
with computer usage and ways to avoid them.
- Explain the concept of software copyright.
- Explain the terms shareware, freeware, end-user license agreement.
- Explain the Omani data protection legislation.
- Demonstrate basic keyboard skills.
2. Basic Computer Operations and File Management Week 2(1), 3(2) (6 hours)
a) Understand and demonstrate proper Switching-ON and Shutting-OFF of the computer.
b) Open, modify, save and close files and application programs.
c) Successfully connect basic peripheral devices (e.g. a printer).
d) Understand the hierarchical structure of drives, files and folders.
e) Understand the meaning and types of file extensions.
f) Understand the different types of menus.
g) Save documents in any permitted location in different formats.
h) Explain different types of viruses (including worms, Trojans etc.) and clean viruses and
worm-infected systems with appropriate software.
i) Explain Privacy issues, good passwords and access rights.
j) Demonstrate formatting of floppy disks and removable media; usage of USB drives,
writing files to CD-R/RW media and backing up of data.
k) Demonstrate Logging on and off a computer network.
l) Demonstrate how to compress and decompress (zip/unzip) individual files and files in a
folder.
m) Demonstrate good password creation practice.
n) Demonstrate searching for files and folders.
o) Demonstrate the use of built-in help menu.
3. Word Processing Weeks 4,5,6,7 (16 hours)
a) Recognize, open, modify, navigate, save and close a word application file.
b) Open and close a new or existing document and switch between multiple documents.
c) Understand various page set-up options, page orientation, page sizes and setting up of
margins.
d) Understand the use of page layout, page borders and shading.
e) Display/hide toolbars.
f) Understand different types of menus in a word processing application.
g) Explain the difference between text, paragraph, and document level formatting.
h) Identify different text formats, e.g. bold, italic, font type, size and color; cases, subscript,
superscript; different types of bullets/numbering etc.
i) Understand changing the line spacing in a document and aligning text left, center and right
justified.
j) Insert automatic page numbers, header/footer, foot/end notes, auto shapes, pictures,
symbols, special characters etc.
k) Use search/replace to find/replace a specific word/phrase in a document.
l) Move/delete/resize picture/image/chart in a document or between different documents.
m) Understand the use of borders and shading in a document.
n) Demonstrate use of automatic spell/grammar checking & correction.
o) Understand some basic short cut keys.
p) Understand various print options and how to print documents after preview.
q) Demonstrate formatting at the character, paragraph and document levels.
r) Demonstrate the ability to convert written text into a formatted electronic document.
s) Insert text and/or characters and/or pictures/drawings from various sources.
t) Demonstrate use of the copy/cut/paste functions.
u) Explain the terms associated with a table, e.g.: column, row, cell, and demonstrate table
creation, manipulation of cells, data insertion and formatting.
v) Use built-in help functions.
w) Understand and demonstrate the ability to print documents using various print options,
using the default printer and a network printer.
4. Spreadsheets Weeks 8(1), 9(2), 10(2), 11(2) (14 hours)
a) Recognize, open, modify, navigate, save and close a spreadsheet application file.
b) Identify the main components of a spreadsheet window.
c) Explain the basic uses of spreadsheets.
d) Create, Open, Save, and Close spreadsheets.
e) Use the help system effectively.
f) Identify and use the different menus and toolbars to set up the worksheets.
g) Demonstrate how to insert, store and manipulate data.
h) Demonstrate how to handle (Insert, rename, delete, duplicate, move etc.) worksheets.
i) Generate various formulas using built-in functions and use them appropriately and
correctly to solve problems.
j) Demonstrate the formatting of data, cells, rows and columns in a worksheet.
k) Create and manipulate different types of charts/graphs on the worksheet data.
l) Explain usage of formulas and functions in a worksheet.
m) Explain generating various charts and graphs.
n) Explain how to sort, link and consolidate spreadsheets.
o) Demonstrate the understanding of various print options and how to print spreadsheets and
charts after appropriate page set-up and pre-view.
p) Demonstrate use of the edit (copy/cut/paste etc.) functions.
q) Demonstrates the ability to reproduce a hand written table as an electronic spreadsheet.
r) Demonstrates the ability to perform basic analysis of data using graphs and charts.
5. Presentation Weeks 12(2), 13(1) (6 hours)
a) Recognize, open, modify, navigate, save and close a presentation application file.
b) Identify and use different design layouts and presentation view modes.
c) Use help system effectively.
d) Demonstrate how to use display/hide toolbars.
e) Identify and use different types of menus in a presentation application.
f) Explain the difference between master slide and other slides.
g) Explain Animation and Color scheme.
h) Explain the main formatting features to improve the appearance of the slides.
i) Demonstrate the ability to use various print options to print the presentation slides.
j) Demonstrate the ability to insert pictures and objects to enhance the outlook of the
presentation.
k) Demonstrate the use of adding notes, header and footer, updated dates and automatic
numbering for the presentation.
l) Demonstrate the ability to duplicate, move slides within the presentation and between
open presentations.
m) Demonstrate the use of transition and animation effects.
n) Demonstrate the use of proofing tools to correct the content of the presentation.
6. Internet, WWW and E-mail. Weeks 13(1), 14(2) (6 hours)
a) Network and Internet Fundamentals:
- Identify network fundamentals, types and the benefits and risk of network computing.
- Understand the history and jargon associated with the Internet.
b) Browsing the Internet:
- Identify the purpose of a browser in accessing information on the World Wide Web
(WWW) and navigate the Web.
- Understand how to deal with web browser tools such as: Book Mark, display and hide
built-in toolbars, deleting browsing history and print web pages.
- Be able to search the Internet for information using search engine such as: Google,
Yahoo, Ask Me, etc.
c) Electronic Mail:
- Understand how electronic mail works including the components of electronic mail
message, electronic mail address, and electronic mail options.
- Create an e-mail account, read and send electronic mail messages, reply and forward
electronic mail message, Use of Cc – Bcc, and manage attachments.
- Create a new address list, add, delete, and update a mail address to an address list.
- Manage the inbox through sorting messages, creating folders and finding message.
- Identify the sent items; deleted items, and Junk E-Mail folders.
- Identify the security issues with electronic mails.
d) Identify how computers are used in different areas of work, school and home:
- Identify risks to personal and organizational data.
- Understand the protected web sites, use of digital certificates, encryption – decryption,
uses of firewall and how to get protected from Hackers etc.
- Describe the effect of IT on our lives and on society generally.
Assessment Plan: Task, Subject, Total Points
Exam-1
Fundamentals of computers (15%)+Basic Computer Operations and File Management (10%)+
Word Processing (25%)
50% Week8,
Exam-2
Spreadsheets l (25%) + Presentation (12.5) + Internet, WWW and E-mail. (12.5%)
50% Week15,
Important Remarks:
Students are not allowed to use cellular phones in the classroom.
They should turn off their phones before entering the class. Also, cellular phones are not
allowed to be used as calculators or for any other purpose.
The course material will be covered from the first lecture.
Each student should make sure that his/her Internet account is working because the
course will use the SQU network and utilize E-learning System.
General Study Skills:
General Study Skills (GSS) is an area of FP with specific learning outcomes. The relevant learning
outcomes of GSS are to be embedded into each of the three FP areas. With regard to the Information
Technology courses, the students should be able to satisfy the following GSS learning outcomes (OAC, 2007):
1. Work in pairs or groups and participate accordingly i.e. take turns, initiate a discussion,
interrupt appropriately, express an opinion.
2. Follow university policies on attendance and punctuality.
3. Bring required materials (pens, pencils, folder, etc) to class.
4. Work to imposed deadlines.
5. Create term planners and study schedules noting key dates/events.
6. Complete homework on time.
7. Continually revise one’s work.
8. Identify preferred study strategies based on learning styles.
9. Use the library system for finding, borrowing and returning library material.
Find specific information using internet search engines and electronic resources.
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