Introduction to Computers and Office Automation
How a computer is built and what it runs, then the four tools every office actually uses — Windows, Word, Excel and PowerPoint — and the Internet they all sit on.
- Code
- BCA1B02T
- Semester
- 1
- Credits
- 4
- Contact
- 4 hours / week
- Modules
- 5
Modules
6 topics
Computer Fundamentals
What a computer is, how it is built, how it stores and moves data, the devices around it, and the number systems and codes underneath all of it.
- Definition, characteristics and limitations of a computer
- Block diagram — input, memory, ALU, control unit, output
- Generations of computers
- Classification by size, purpose and type of data
- Memory — units, hierarchy, RAM, ROM, cache, secondary storage
- Input and output devices; printers and plotters
- Number systems, conversions and binary arithmetic
- Computer codes — BCD, ASCII, EBCDIC, Unicode
- Hardware, software, firmware; types of software
2 topics
Operating Systems and Windows
What an operating system does, the types from batch to real-time, and practical work with the Windows desktop, files and folders.
- Definition and functions of an operating system
- Types — batch, multiprogramming, time-sharing, multiprocessing, real-time, distributed
- Booting; cold and warm booting
- Command line and graphical user interfaces
- Windows desktop, taskbar, icons and windows
- Files, folders, paths and extensions
- File Explorer, Recycle Bin, Control Panel and accessories
3 topics
Word Processing
Producing a document properly — formatting at all three levels, styles, tables and graphics, section layout, mail merge and printing.
- Creating, saving, opening and closing documents
- Editing; find and replace; spelling and grammar
- Character, paragraph and page formatting
- Styles, templates and table of contents
- Tables — creating, merging, formatting, sorting
- Pictures, shapes, SmartArt and text wrapping
- Columns, headers and footers, page and section breaks
- Mail merge
- Print preview and printing options
3 topics
Spreadsheets
Workbooks and cell references, formulas and functions including IF and VLOOKUP, and the chart, sort, filter and pivot tools.
- Workbook, worksheet, cell, range and cell address
- Entering and editing data; autofill; number formats
- Relative, absolute and mixed references
- Operators and order of precedence
- Functions — statistical, mathematical, text, date, logical
- IF and nested IF; COUNTIF, SUMIF, VLOOKUP
- Error values
- Charts — types, parts and creation
- Sorting, filtering, conditional formatting, data validation, pivot tables
2 topics
Presentations and the Internet
Building a presentation that can actually be read, and the networks, protocols, browsers, email and safety practices behind everything online.
- Slides, layouts, views and the slide master
- Inserting text, pictures, charts and SmartArt
- Animation and transition; running a slide show
- Printing handouts and notes
- Computer networks — LAN, MAN, WAN; topologies and hardware
- Internet and World Wide Web; internet services
- IP addresses, domain names, DNS, URLs and protocols
- Browsers, search engines and searching effectively
- Email — addresses, parts of a message, To/Cc/Bcc
- Viruses, phishing and online safety