Candidates will be expected to:

Define hardware and software, giving examples

State the difference between hardware and software

Identify the main components of a general purpose

computer and their functions ( input, processing, storage and output devices )

Install and configure hardware components

Power Unit:

Identify the common types of power units

Power Sources:

Identify common power sources and how they operate e.g. UPS, Stabilizers, Transformers, Generators, etc.

Power Rating:
Identify, power ratings e. g. 110v /220v

Identify, connect and configure all input devices, their efficiency of usage and principle of operation ( keyboard, mouse, touchpad, tracker ball, video, Digitizers, remote controls, joy sticks, magnetic
Stripes, bar code readers, scanners, digital cameras, Microphones, MID instruments, etc.)

Identify appropriate uses of the input devices

State the advantages and disadvantages of the devices

Identify, connect and configure all output devicestheir quality, efficiency of usage and principle of operation.  (Monitors, printers (laser, inkjet, line, Dot matrix ), Plotters, control devices, etc.
State their advantages and disadvantages

Identify appropriate uses

Describe common backing storage media ( including magnetic tape, different types of CD, Floppy disk and hard disk) and their associated devices.

Identify typical uses of the storage media describe the comparative advantages and disadvantages of using different backing
Storage media

Define the term backup and describe the need for taking backups

Differentiate between main memory and backing storage, stating the relative benefits of each in terms of speed and permanence

Describe the functions of ROM and RAM and show the differences

Explain the various units of memory measurement KB, MB, GB, TB

Explain a network, its advantages and disadvantages

Differentiate between the types of networks – LAN, WAN, MAN,  Intranet, internet, extranet

Explain the common network architecture – peer − to – peer, client – server, file – server
Identify the various interconnecting topologies e.g. star, ring, bus, etc

Explain interconnecting cable, e. g. Optic fibre, coaxial cable, copier lines, microwave, satellite, UTP, etc.

State the advantages and disadvantages of 7.1

Identify the purpose, features and functions of Following:

Hubs

Network cards

Switches

Gateways

Bridges

Repeaters

Routers, etc.

Recognise and describe the following media connectors:

RJ 45

BNC, etc.

Identify different protocols and their uses – TCP / IP and NetBEUI

Identify  different  between public and private Networks      

Explain the social effect or implications of the Internet /intranet /extranet

Explain uses of the internet, intranet, extranet,

State and explain their advantages and disadvantages

At the end of these units of work, candidates Should be able to:

Introduction:

Describe an information system.

Role of Information:

describe the various roles/functions information serves within an organisation

Phases of Information Systems:

Describe the four distinct phases building blocks Of an information system – input, processing, Output, feedback and control. 1.3.2 Describe the activity at each phase. 1.3.3 explain the difference between the manual and computerised Information system

State the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Data and Information:

Explain the difference between data And information

Attributes of a good Information System:

State and explain the attributes of a good information System

Types of Information System:

Describe the various types of information System.
Dtate the characteristics of the various types.

Differentiate between the types.

State their advantages and disadvantages.

Information Pyramid:

Describe the levels of management and types of Information required within the information pyramid.

Explain a system and state its characteristics.

Explain the following general systems theory – Synergy/holistic theory Murphy's law, sub – optimality / reductionist approach.

Give practical applications of these theories.

Differentiate between open and closed system environment.

Describe the elements of a computer file, Fixed and variable records.

Describe master file and transaction file.

Describe the different methods of file Organisation and accessing – index, Sequential, random (direct).

Describe database system.

Give advantages/disadvantages of 3.4.

Describe various categories/classification Of computers.

Describe various types of software and their applications.

Describe the various methods of developing computer based information systems.

State the advantages and disadvantages of the methods.

Describe the major phases in the systems development life cycle.

Identify the various potential threats to computer installations and measures by which they can be prevented.

Describe a computer network and state its advantages and disadvantages.

List the basic components of a computer network.

Describe the following types of computer network.

State the advantages and disadvantages of different types of network topologies.
Describe centralised processing and distributed processing.

Describe public and private network, Internet and intranet.

Explain information technology.

Describe the impact of information technology on management functions.

Explain the role of the manger as a user, designer and evaluator of information systems.

Describe the social implications of information technology.

At the end of the course, candidates should be able to:

Mount and set up the computer.

Edit the configuration system and automatic execution batch files.

Use the following utilities: scandisk, defrag, disk copy, memmaker, undelete, unformatted, move. Use anti – virus utilities in MS – DOS and MS – Windows for detecting and cleaning viruses.

Describe Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN).

Install and configure software on the computer.

Describe internet and its applications.

Editing Documents:

editing text by creating a new paragraph with different layout and fonts.

Merge two paragraphs into one.

Import documents from other software.

Use the search and replace command.

Create file names according to predetermined Commands.

Merge two or more documents into a final one.

Establish margins, line space and page length.

Explain screen layout including status of ruler lines or bars.

Call up the disk directory.

Spell check and count.

Make backup copiers of documents.

Graphics:

Create and use queries.

Use an index to assist in a group retrieval.

Declare maximum length fields and reserve memory

Define a sort criterion for sorting records on specified field.

Define and generate and print report.

Create and use queries.

Use an index to assist in a group retrieval.

Declare maximum length fields and reserve memory

Define a sort criterion for sorting records on specified field.

Define and generate and print report.

Editing Data Files:

Format a cell and table.

Insert and delete rows and columns.

Use keyboard shortcuts and smart Icons.

Use macros.

Create and freeze horizontal and vertical panes.

Use Object Linking and Embedding (OLE).

Use edit tools.

Modify data using the sort and filter utility.

Format a spreadsheet page using page setup.

Print a specified part of spreadsheet.

Calculations:

Select portions of spreadsheets for calculations.

Control the order of calculation.

Use manual and automatic calculation of data.

Write and use appropriate formulae/equations for Calculations.

Use default mathematical functions in calculation.

Chart graphs.

Format graphical output.

Use spreadsheets results in making projections.

Print spreadsheets.

Define a problem.

Develop a structured BASIC programme for Simple business applications like Simple Interest, Compound Interest etc.

COURSE  OBJECTIVE

At the end of these units of work, candidates should be Able to:

1.1 Introduction:

1.1.1 Describe the scope, purpose and methods of system analysis
1.1.2 State the qualities and functions of the system analysis
1.1.3 Describe various stages of the systems life cycle

1.2 Investigation and Analysis:

1.2.1 Describe various methods of collecting Data – interview, questionnaire,
direct Observation and examination of existing Documents, etc.

1.2.2 State the need for identifying problems/ flaws with the current system

1.2.3 State the need for specifying the required hardware and software for developing a new system

1.2.4 State the need for identifying the user and information requirements necessary to resolve the identified problems

1.3 Systems Modelling :

1.3.1 Describe the different modelling tools in systems analysis – decision tables, data flow diagram (DFD), decision tree, etc.

1.3.2 State the need for recording information about the current system

1.3.3 Justify the need for a new system

1.3.4 Describe the criteria/qualities of an efficient and effective system (quality assurance)

2.1 Introduction:

2.1.1 State the purpose and principles of various Design methods – SSADM, Prototyping, Object oriented, etc

2.2 Design and Specification:

2.2.1 Explain the objectives and limitations/ Constraints of the new system

2.2.2 Describe the system outline – output, input, Files and processes, systems, flowcharts: Computer run charts; procedure flowcharts, Modes of operation

2.2.3 State the output requirements – format, Volume, peak loading, special stationery and media

2.2.4 State the input requirements – data capture Methods, input specification, forms design And screen layout the user dialogue, coding Methods, error control

2.2.5 Design validation routines to solve a given Problem

2.2.6 Design the required data file structures to Solve a given problem – file

2.3 System Control:

2.3.1 Identify the various methods of system Implementation such as parallel running, Phased implementation and direct changeover

2.3.2 Identify suitable situations for the use of the Methods in

2.3.1 Giving advantages/ Disadvantages of each

2.3.3 Explain data conversion procedure, and the Need for staff training; acceptance testing, Project review, compliance with specification Performance, financial benefit, development and support.

2.4    Documentation:

2.5.1 Identify the components of technical Documentation for an information system – program coding, program flowcharts, system Flowcharts, hardware and software Requirements file structures, list of variables, validation routines

2.5.2 Identify the components of user documentation For an information system – purpose and Limitations, hardware and software requirements, how to use the system, input and output formats, sample runs, error messages, trouble-shooting guide

At the end of these units of work, candidates should be able to:

1.1 Define a set, use notations and symbols of sets e.g {}, n(A), E etc

1.2 Identify the various types of sets; the unit set, empty set, finite set, infinite set etc.

1.3 State and use the properties of sets: The subset-proper and improper, equality of sets, equivalence of sets, disjoint sets etc

1.4 Define and use operations on sets eg union, intersection, complement.

1.5 Represent sets and thier interrelationships by the use of Venn Diagrams.

1.6 Use Venn Diagrams to solve two or three set problems.

2.1 Relate the following numbers systems:

natural /counting numbers

whole numbers

intergers

rational /irrational numbers

complex numbers

2.2 Apply the four rules of arithmetic to the real numbersystem

2.3 Apply the concept of place value and its relationship to number bases and convert from one numeration system to another. eg binary, denary, octal etc

2.4 (i) Express two or more quantities in order of magnitude. (ii) Perform arithmetic operations applying the rules of precedence

2.5 Maintain appropriate number of digits in calculations e.g significant figures, decimal places etc

2.6 Perform binary operations with a set of real numbers.

3.1. Use the terminology of variables, constants and the use of superscript and subscript variables

3.2 Evaluate algebraic expressions for given values of the variables, applying the rules of precedence

3.3 Manipulate linear algebraic equations in a single variable e.g. 2(x - 1) = + 5

3.4 Solve commercial (word) problems using linear algebraic equations in a single variable

3.5 Factorise algebraic expressions by extracting a single term e.g. ax^2 + bx + c, (a^2 - b^2)

3.6 Solve commercial problems involving simple Inequalities.

4.1 Identify the forms of the equations of linear and quadratic functions.

4.2 Draw graphs of linear and quadratic functions

4.3 Determine intercept, slopes/gradients of straight line garaph

4.4 Solve quadratic equations, two linear, one linear quadratic

5.5 Solve simultaneous equations by the use of factors, completing the squares, quadratic formula and graphical method

4.6 Construct break -even charts and use algebraic methods to calculate the break-even point.

4.7 Solve linear and quadratic inequalities in one or two variables

4.8 Solve linear programming probles in one or two variables

4.9 Interpret graphs, charts and tables

5.1 (i) Use basic laws of indices in simplifying and evaluating algebraic expressions. (ii) Solve simple exponential equations e.g. 3^x = 27

5.2 Apply the law of logarithms to determine the rate and or time in compound interest and depreciation problems

5.3 Apply the laws of logarithm to reduce a power function to a linear function

6.1 Descripe percentages and their relationship to fractions and convert between percentages, fractions and decimals

6.2 (i) Express one quantity as a percentage of another, (ii) Calculate percentages of given quantities and percentage increase or decrease as applied to problems involving discounts, loans, hire purchase and depreciation.

6.3 Solve problemss involving simple interest, compound interest, depreciation, hire purchase, wages, rates of pay and local taxes

6.4 Solving problems involving annuities, freehold and leasehold property.

6.5 Solve problems involving profit and loss, margins, mark-up discount, stocks and shares, rates of exchange, debentures and commission

6.6 Solving problems involving shares, taxes and purchases.

7.1 Perform calculations using ratios involving two or more quantities

7.2 Solving problems involving capital contributed and profit sharing

7.3 Solving problems on bankruptcy, insurance, premiums and indemminity

7.4 Solving problems involving direct and inverse proportions

8.1 (i) Change from one unit to another within the metric system. (ii) Convert from imperial to metric units and vice versa

8.2 Perform calculations invloving currency conversions

8.3 Make comparisons where more than one conversion is required. e.g. cedis/pounds to france per kilogram

9.1 Solving problems involving the use of pythagoras theorem

9.2 Find surface areas of prisms, spheres, pyramids, cylinders and cones

9.3 Find volumes of cuboids, comes, pyramids and spheres

10.1 Solving problems on direct variation

10.2 Solving problems oon inverse/indirect variation

10.3 Solving problems on joint variation

11.1 Familiarise themselves with the definition, structure and features of a matrix - equal matrices, identity matrix, zero/nul matrix etc

11.2 Perform operations such as addition, subtraction and multiplication

11.3 Find the determinants and inverse of a 2 x 2 matrix

11.4 Solving simultaneous equations using the matrix method

12.1 Distinguish between: (i) Quantitative and qualitative (ii) Discrete and continuous data

12.2 Identity: (i) Method of collecting primary data eg personal interviews, telephone interviews, and postal questionnaire. (ii) Advantage and disadvantages of each of these methods.

12.3 Present data by means of simple bar charts, histograms and pie charts

12.4 (i) Use comulative frequency curve to determine the median, quartiles, deciles and percntiles. (ii) Calculate the median, quartile, decile etc

12.5 Determine the mode by graphycal method or calculation

12.6 Calculate the centra tendency ie mean and standard deviation

12.7 Calculate index numbers: Simple price and quantity, total price and quantity for both Laspeyres and Paasche's indices

12.8 Solving simple probability problems

12.9 Solving simple regression and correlation problems

12.10 Determine time series trend by method of moving average