Computational Course Microsyllabus

Computational Course (COM 408) Detailed Syllabus Unit 1: Introduction to Computers Hrs] 1.1. Definition and introduction: What is Computer?,

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Computer Hardware, Computer Software, Applications of Computers, How Computer Works: The Input-Process-Output Concept: (Data Input, Data Store, Data Processing, and Data Output)

1.2. The Computer System: Processor (CPU), Input Unit, Output Unit, Storage Unit (Primary and Secondary Memory), Communication Unit, Computer as a System, How CPU Works?(Fetch Decode Execute and Store Cycle) 1.3. Characteristics of Computers: High Speed, Accuracy, Storage Capacity, Diligence, Versatility, Automatic, No IQ, No Feeling. 1.4. History of Computer: Brief History on the Basis of Evolution (ABACUS, Napier’s Bone, Slide Rule, Pascal’s Machine, Leibnitz’s Calculating Machine, Babbage’s Analytical Engine, Lady Augusta Ada Lovelace, Mark I, Von Neuman, ENIAC, EDSAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC), Brief History of Computers in Nepal 1.5. Generations of Computers: First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Generation, Features, Advantages, and Limitations of each Generation 1.6. Classification of Computers: On the Basis of Working Principle( Analog, Digital, and Hybrid Computers), On the Basis of Size and Power(Microcomputer, Minicomputer, Supercomputer, Mainframe) Unit 2: Operating Systems [6 Hrs] 2.1. Introduction: Computer Software (System Software, Application Software, and Utility Software with Examples of each), Definition of OS, Relationship of OS with Hardware, and Application Software, Objectives of OS, OS Terminologies Multiprogramming, Multithreading, Multiprocessing, and Multitasking 2.2. Types of OS: Batch OS, Time Sharing OS, Real Time OS, Network OS, Distributed OS 2.3. Functions of OS: Process Management (Programs vs Process, Overview of Process Scheduling, Keeping Process Status: PCB & Process States, Overview of Interprocess Communication), Memory Management (Overview of Free Space Management, Memory Allocation and Deallocation, Overview of Virtual Memory Management), File Management (Overview of Naming Files, File Structures, File Access 1

Methods, File Attributes and Operations, Storing and Handling files), Device Management (Overview of Input/output Handling, Device Independence, Error Handling) 2.4. Examples of Operating Systems: Overview of Windows, Unix, and Linux Unit 3: Data Communication and Computer Networks [5 Hrs] 3.1. Introduction: What is Network?, What is Data Communication?, Basic Elements of Data Communication? Importance of Networking 3.2. Computer Networks: Types of Networks (LAN, MAN, WAN), Network Topologies( Bus, Ring, Star, Mesh, and Hybrid), Network Architectures (Peer-Peer Network & Client/Server Networks), Network/Communication Devices (Modem, Multiplexer, Hub, Switch, Bridge, Router, Repeater, Amplifier, Network Adapter) 3.3. Data Transmission Media: Guided Media (Twisted Pair Cable, Coaxial Cable, Optical Fiber), Unguided Media (Radio Wave, Micro Wave: Terrestrial Microwave & Satellite Microwave, Infrared Wave) 3.4. Data Transmission across Media: Modes of Data Transmission, Speed of Data Transmission, Analog & Digital Transmission 3.5. Data Transmission and Data Networking: Circuit Switching, Message Switching, and Packet switching 3.6. Wireless Network: Definition, Benefits of Wireless Networks, Wireless LAN, Wireless WAN Unit 4: Internet and Internet Services [5 Hrs] 4.1. Introduction: Definition and Overview of Internet, Intranet & Extranet, Brief History of Internet 4.2. Internetworking Protocols: Definition of Protocol and internetworking, OSI Reference Model, TCP/IP Protocol Suit, TCP vs UDP 4.3. The Internet Architecture: Backbone, Internet Service Providers, Network Access Point, Clients 4.4. Managing the Internet: Internet Society, Internet Architecture Board, Internet Engineering Task Force 4.5. Connecting to Internet: Connecting to Internet with a modem, connecting to Internet with Broadband Connection, Connecting to Internet with Smart Phones 4.6. Internet Connections: Dial-up Access, Leased Line, Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Cable Modem, Wireless Internet Connection 2

4.7. Internet Addresses: IP Address, Overview of IPV4 and IPV6, Domain Names and Domain Name System(DNS) 4.8. Internet Services: World Wide Web (Overview of Web browser, URL, Web Server), HTTP, FTP, Search Engine, Communication Services(Email, Telnet, Newsgroup, VoIP, Instant Messaging (IM), Internet Relay Chat) Unit 5: Data and Database Representation [12 Hrs] 5.1. Number System: Positional Number System, Types of Number System According to Base: Decimal, Binary, Octal, and Hexadecimal 5.2. Conversion from Decimal to Other Number System: Process of Conversion, Conversion from Decimal to Binary, Decimal to Octal, Decimal to Hex 5.3. Conversion from Other Number Systems to Decimal: Process of Conversion, Conversion from Binary to Decimal, Octal to Decimal, Hex to Decimal 5.4. Conversion between Binary and Octal or Hexadecimal: Conversion between Binary and Octal, and Conversion between Binary and Hex 5.5. Logic Gates: AND Gate, OR Gate, NOT Gate, NOR Gate, NAND Gate, XOR Gate, XNOR Gate 5.6. Database System: Data Hierarchy, Database, DBMS, and Database System, Data Management Approaches (File Management system & DBMS), Advantages and Limitations of DBMS, Application of DBMS, Database Schema & Instance, Data Models (Hierarchical model, Network model, ER model, Relational Model, OO Model), Database Languages (DDL & DML) 5.7. Database Architectures: Centralized Architecture, Client/Server Architecture, Distributed Databases 5.8. Data Mining: Data Mining, Applications of Data Mining 5.9. Computational Biology, Computational Biology vs Bioinformatics Computational Nanoscience, Space Data, Virtual Data Unit 6: Multimedia [6 Hrs] 6.1. Introduction: Definition of Multimedia, Multimedia Application, Multimedia System, Categories of Multimedia Applications, Desirable Multimedia Features (High Processing Power, Multimedia Capable File System, Data Representations that support multimedia, Efficient and High I/O, Special Operating System Storage and Memory, Network Support, Software Tools ) 3

6.2. Characteristics of Multimedia: Computer Controlled, Integrated, Digitally Represented, Interactivity 6.3. Elements of Multimedia: Text (Definition, Coding: ASCII, UNICODE, Text Size), Graphics/Image (Definition, Types: Raster/Bitmap, Vector Graphics, Image Resolution, Color, Size), Audio (Definition, Digital Audio, Characteristics), Video (Definition, Refresh Rate, Size, Overview of video formats and compression), Animation (Definition, Video vs Animations, Tools for Animation) 6.4. Multimedia System: Components (Definitions of Capture Devices, Storage Devices, Communication Network, Computer System, Display Devices, System Software, Authoring Tools) 6.5. Applications of Multimedia: Applications in Education and Training, Product Promotion, Engineering, Leisure and Entertainment, Information Provision, Virtual Reality and Simulations, Second Life Unit 7: Computer Security [10 Hrs] 6.1. Introduction: Security Threats, Security Attack, Malicious Software (Virus, Worms, Trojan Horses), Security Services 6.2. Hacking: Definition, Types of Hackers (Black Hats, White Hats, Gray Hats), Approaches of Hacking (Packet Sniffing, Password Cracking, Email Hacking) 6.3. Cryptography: Secret Key Cryptography and Public Key Cryptography, Comparison between these Two, Hash Functions, Digital Signature 6.4. Firewalls: Definition, Types of Firewalls (Packet Filter Firewall, Circuit Filter Firewall, Application-Level Gateways) 6.5. User Identification and Authentication: What is Authentication?, Ways to Achieving Authentication (Username and Password, Smart Card System, Biometric Techniques) 6.6. Other Security Measures: Authorization(Access Control Lists), Antimalware Applications, Security Awareness; Security Policy (Formulating a security policy), Security Mechanism Unit 8: GIS and Remote Sensing [10 hr] 8.1 Introduction: GIS and RS concepts, GIS definition, historical development, key related subjects, Physical components (hardware, software, data, people (users), and Procedure) GIS functional components (Data Input, Data Storage, Data Manipulation & analysis, and Data Output)

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8.6

GIS Data Types & Data Models: GIS Data Types(Attribute Data, Spatial Data), Spatial Data Types (Point, Arc/Line, Polygon), GIS Data Models (Attribute Data Model, Spatial Data Model: Raster, Vector, Image, Advantages and Drawbacks of Raster and Vector Data Model) Data Sources & Data Input: Data Sources, Data Input Techniques (Overview of Digitizing, Automatic Scanning, Coordinate Geometry, Conversion of Existing Digital Data), Data Editing (Overview of Spatial Data Errors, Attribute Data Errors, Data Verification) Data Storage, Analysis and Output: Organizing Data for Analysis, Editing and Updating Data, Data Retrieval and Querying, Data Analysis & Types, Data Output and Display, Map Projection Remote Sensing Applications: agriculture, forestry, land use/land cover mapping, water resources – snow and glacier, wetland management Some examples of Remote Sensing/GIS applications in Nepal and elsewhere

Unit 9: Laboratory Work Hrs]

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9.1. Using Operating Systems- 3 hr - Windows, Linux (Creating files, folders) 9.2. MS Word- 4 hr  Creating, Saving, Opening, Formatting, Navigating, Editing, Viewing and Printing documents by using MS-word 9.3. MS Excel – 5 hr  Creating, Saving, Opening, Editing, Sorting, Formatting, Printing Work Books & Worksheets.  Using Formulas, and Functions to perform calculations 9.4. MS PowerPoint – 3 hr  Creating, Saving, Opening, Formatting, Navigating, Editing, Viewing and Printing Presentations by using MS-PowerPoint 9.5. MS Access- 3 hr  Creating, Saving, Opening, Formatting Tables and Queries  Inserting, Deleting, Updating data stored in tables

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Internet and its Services- 2 hr Using internet services, Searching & downloading documents, Using Emails, Chatting etc.

Text Books  Sinha P. K. and Sinha P. – Computer Fundamentals, BPB Publication, India, sixth edition, 2011  Huisman O. and de BY R.A. – Principles of Geographical Information Systems: An Introductory Text Book, International Institute for GeoInformation Science and Earth Observation, The Netherlands (2001) References  Goel A. – Computer Fundamentals, Pearson Education, India (2010)  Aronoff, S (1989), Geographic Information Systems: A Management Perspective. Ottawa: WDL Publications.  Lillisand, T M and Keifer, R W (1984), Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation. New York: John Willey E-Sons, Ink.

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