Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Marx Gomez

Description

This course is an application oriented introduction to computer science. The most important technologies underlying business information systems are presented. Students learn important computer-science fundamentals which they need to know during their studies of 'Business Informatics'. The main subjects of this course are computer science basics, important architectures for business information systems, and the core technologies. We investigate these subjects from the hardware, the software, and the networks perspective. After completing this course students will have a fundamental understanding of the field of computer science, enabling them to study and understand more advanced computer science textbooks and to discuss about this subject on a competent level.

Outline

1. Introduction
2. Knowledge, information and data
3. Computer hardware technology
   3.1. Processors
   3.2. External memory
   3.3. Screens and graphics
   3.4. Printers and printing
4. Computer software technology
   4.1. Operating systems and memory management
   4.2. User management
   4.3. Files and file management
5. Computer networks
   5.1. Network topologies and architectures
   5.2. Internet
6. Information security

Learning Objectives

After completing this course successfully, students will understand the basic concepts of computer systems. This includes hardware components, computer architecture, operating systems, application software and computer networks. Students will gain a thorough basis to understand the technological issues raised by topics and problems of business informatics. Understanding the fundamental concepts discussed in this course is required for most other courses of the MBI program. This understanding will also help participants to evaluate new technological issues that are continously raised in the rapid development of computer hardware, software, and networking technology.

Method of teaching

This course is an audio-based course (type 3). It is like a traditional classroom course where the lecturer uses transparencies for illustration. Each slide is augmented by spoken explanations. You listen to the lecturer and watch a sequence of slides, e.g. Powerpoint slides. For listening and watching, freeware is available. In this course, the RealPlayer software is used.

Exercises are provided for download. As a student you solve the exercises and submit the solutions electronically. Communication between students and instructors is handled as in the other MBI courses, through electronic media like discussion forum, bulletin board, chat room, and e-mail.

Requirements

Since this course is an introduction for beginners, no specific computer-science knowledge beyond the general requirements for VGU courses is needed.

Credits

5.0 credit points