| Course title | Introduction to Computers |
|---|---|
| Course code | KID/PUVPE |
| Organizational form of instruction | Lecture + Tutorial |
| Level of course | unspecified |
| Year of study | not specified |
| Semester | Winter and summer |
| Number of ECTS credits | 5 |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Status of course | unspecified |
| Form of instruction | Face-to-face |
| Work placements | This is not an internship |
| Recommended optional programme components | None |
| Course availability | The course is available to visiting students |
| Lecturer(s) |
|---|
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| Course content |
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Analog vs. digital systems, digital representation of analog value, numbering systems, decimal-binary-hexadecimal-octal conversion. The virtual excursion to computer museum. Boolean logic, gates, implementation of complex function blocks, multiplexer, adder, ALU. Memory elements, flip-flop, register, counter. Cybernetic system, machine-based task solving, algorithm, program, process. Principle of operation and main parts of the digital computer, registers, ALU, memory, I/O. Program and data, data flow and processing, instruction set, instruction interpretation, microinstruction, controller. Computer architecture, Von Neumann and Harvard architectures, CISC, RISC, signal processors. Wired block and bus oriented architecture, bus taxonomy. Primary and secondary memory, hierarchic memory, virtual memory. RWM and ROM, random and sequential access, associative memory, non-volatile memory. Memory technologies, semiconductor memories, magnetic disc and tape memories, optical discs. Peripheral device, device controller, direct program control, interrupt-driven control, DMA. Function principles of peripheral devices. Digital processing of sound and image, A/D and D/A conversion, colour vector, RGB, CYMK, lossless and lossy compression, JPEG, MPEG. Speeding up computer - bus width, clock frequency, instruction prefetch, instruction pipelining, superscalar architecture. Parallel data processing, coprocessors. Synchronisation and communication of parallel processes, granularity, multiprocessing, MP systems taxonomy. Inside PC - case, power supply, mainboard, CPU, memory, expansion I/O cards, bus standards, PnP. FD, HD, CD and DVD disc drives, ATA and SCSI interfaces. Graphic card, video-RAM, RAMDAC, monitor interfaces. Sound cards. Graphic input, mouse, track-ball, touch-panel, tablet. Connecting peripherals, parallel and serial ports, SCSI, USB, FireWire. Connecting to the network, NIC, modem, ISDN, xDSL, CTV, WIFI. Role of operating system, virtual computer, drivers, system programs, applications. Single-user and multi-user OS, timesharing, multitasking, network OS, real-time OS. System reliability, data backup and recovery, power backup (UPS), ECC memory, RAID. Dependability, fault-tolerant systems. System security, requirements, threats, attacks, malware, hacking, protection. Other aspects - cooling, power management, EMC. Scalability, expandability, modularity, industry-wide compatibility. Mobile systems, real-rime systems, control systems, embedded systems
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| Learning activities and teaching methods |
| Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Skills training, Laboratory work, Stimulating activities (simulation, games, drama) |
| Learning outcomes |
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The aim of the course is to present how computer systems work and how these are built. The course provides a comprehensive overview of computer fundamentals and an introduction to advanced concepts. Labs are based on the CNA e-learning course "IT Essentials I. - PC Hardware and Software" (for details, see http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/course_catalog/IT1.html). In combination with PXOSPE, (Network Operating Systems) this course will help students for careers in network administrator, network technician, systems analyst, technical support engineer, applications integrator, business continuity analyst, tester and systems administrator.
Students will obtain the required theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills in the field, enabling them to hold the corresponding positions (network administration, network installation). In addition they will also acquire the necessary language skills removing the language barrier which may be an obstacle to their development in the field. |
| Prerequisites |
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Basic knowledge of computer technology in the scope of secondary curriculum.
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| Assessment methods and criteria |
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Oral examination, Didactic test, Systematic monitoring
Awarded course credit confirms that the student has fulfilled the required attendance and other qualifying requirements. Conditions for obtaining course credit are: active work at labs, min. 80% attendance, completing the CNA (Cisco Networking Academy) "IT Essentials I. - PC Hardware and Software" course. Form, contents and length of the exam are determined in accordance with the Study and Examination Regulations of the University of Pardubice. The exam consists of two parts, a written test and an oral exam. Student passes both parts of the examination on condition that he/she obtains at minimum 50% of possible points. |
| Recommended literature |
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| Study plans that include the course |
| Faculty | Study plan (Version) | Category of Branch/Specialization | Recommended semester |
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