Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Applied Sciences Faculty
Department of Horticultural Sciences
Diploma in Horticultural Sciences
Computer Skills
COR150S
Subject Guide 2025
Subject information
Full subject name
Computer Skills
Subject code
CPU 150S
NQF level
5
SAQA credits
9
This subject guide contains information pertaining to Computer Skills only. Please refer to the Horticultural Science
Programme Guide for additional information such as the departmental structure, policies, guidelines and student
support services.
Lecturers
Name
Office no.
Email address
MVUYISI MTSHISAZWE
ROOM: 0.54
MTSHISAZWEM@CPUT.AC.ZA
Classes
Class location: Horticulture classroom 0.39
Lecture times:
As per timetable
Introduction
This subject will teach students how to use generic computer software (such as MS Word, Mavis beacon, MS
Power Point, MS Publisher, MS Excel, MS Access, MS Project, Internet Explorer, Emails, Social media (Facebook,
WhatsApp, You Tube, Linked-in, Twitter), Google doc Blackboard and One drive. The subject will also cover the
computer vocabularies such as: turn computer on and off, central processing unit, clicking, cursor, desktop, disk
drive, disks, file, folder, hardware, icon, operating system, keyboard, monitor, mouse, tool bars, recycling bin,
blackboard, spreadsheet, scroll bars, programs, menu bar, bold, dialogue box, underlined, font and font size,
alignment, line spacing, bullets or numbering, cut and paste, shift, tab and caps lock, inserct picture, one drive,
short cut. These basic computer skills will enable students to be able to write a business letters, assignments,
presentation, data analysis, project management, creating business cards, file management and process, sending
emails, searching for information and effective communication using technology. The course has a higher credit
weighting because there is emphasis placed on practice and computer literacy exercises.
Subject content
Introduction To Basic Computer Skills
●

Computer Vocabularies:
Turn Computer On And Off
Operating System
Underlined
Central Processing Unit
Keyboard
Font And Font Size
Clicking
Monitor
Alignment
Cursor
Mouse
Line Spacing
Desktop
Tool Bars
Bullets Or Numbering
Disk Drive
Recycling Bin
Cut And Paste
Disks
Blackboard
Shift, Tab And Caps Lock
Turn Computer On And Off
Spreadsheet
Inserct Picture
File
Scroll Bars
One Drive
Folder
Programs
Hardware
Menu Bar
Icon
Bold
Operating System
Dialogue Box
Softwares:
Ms Word
Internet Explorer
Mavis beacon
Emails
MS Power Point
Social media (Facebook, WhatsApp, You Tube, Linked-in, Twitter),
MS Publisher
Google doc
MS Excel
Blackboard
MS Access
One drive
MS Project
Subject Schedule
Suggested class schedule
Week
Week 1
Topic covered
Computer vocabularies and
Internet Explorer, Emails, Social media (Facebook, WhatsApp, You
Approximate times for
assessments
Task 1 10%
Tube, Linked-in, Twitter), Google doc, Blackboard and One drive
Week 2
MS Word and Mavis beacon
Task 2 10%
Week 3
MS Power Point
Task 3 10%
Week 4
MS Excel
Task 4 10%
Week 5
MS Publisher
Task 6 5%
Week 6
MS Access
Task 7 5%
Week 8
Revision / Assignment
Week 9
Revision / Assignment
Week 10
Revision / Assignment
Week 11
Revision / Assignment
Week 12
Revision / Assignment
Study week
2 Tests
Portfolio of work
Portfolio of work (50%)
Student Responsibilities
Welcome to Professional Practice 2A We would like to take this opportunity to set out some ground rules for
Professional Practice 2A. We would like to think that these are not for the sake of having rules, but to encourage a
professionalism that is expected from landscape technicians in the working environment.
Attendance
Students are required to attend class. If you miss class for whatever reason, it is your responsibility to find out
what you may have missed.
ANY absence must be explained - call into the office and have a note left for the lecturer, send an email or
Whatsapp your subject lecturer. Two un-excused absences will affect your final mark. Chronic lateness can also
affect your final mark.
If something is seriously wrong, please talk to us about it. Arrangements can be made to cope with serious illness,
family or personal crises.
DP
Please note that all courses in the Applied Sciences Faculty are required to implement the DP system.
What is DP?
DP means Duly Performed – these are academic requirements which must be met by a student before he or she
can be admitted to write the final summative assessment for a subject.
What are these academic requirements?
The DP requirement for all subjects offered in the Applied Sciences Faculty are that the student must achieve BOTH
of the following conditions:
●
an achievement of 40% in the class mark average at the end of the semester. This average is calculated
according to the assessment weightings of the subject (see below)
●
attendance of at least 80% of the contact sessions of the subject (lectures and/ or practicals and/or other
sessions as may be specified in the Study Guide)
How will I know if I have DP or not?
A list of students who do not meet DP requirements will be published on noticeboards and Blackboard before the
last day of lectures in the semester in which the FISA is written. It is the student’s responsibility to find out if he or
she has obtained DP.
If I do not obtain DP and feel that this is unfair, what can I do?
Students have the right to appeal against the refusal of a DP. The appeal must first be made to at the Head of
Department by, at the latest, five days before the first day of FSA for the assessment period concerned. At
departmental level a DP Appeals Committee shall be chaired by the Head of Department. At Faculty level the Dean
or nominee shall chair the Appeals Committee, and shall include the student’s Head of Department or nominee,
and a representative of the SRC.
Academic Honesty
Students are expected to adhere to all of CPUT’s academic honesty policies. Committing plagiarism is not
acceptable at CPUT and there are serious consequences for any person found guilty of plagiarism. Any instance of
copying (outside sources or other students’ work) in this course will result in the student receiving 0% for that
assignment, without the opportunity for resubmission.
All the work that you produce for this course (including tests, exams, projects and assignments) must be your own.
The following are “traditional” examples of plagiarism:
●
copying during a test or exam
●
copying directly from printed or electronic sources
●
copying another student’s assignment or part thereof
●
paraphrasing without citation
What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is the official communication tool between students and lecturers. All course content, notes,
assignments, announcements, test dates and all administrative tasks are always accessible to students on or off
campus.
How do I log onto Blackboard?
http://www.cput.ac.za/
Click on “My classroom”
Login
Don’t forget that CPUT has a mobile app for all Android devices.
ASSESSMENT
This is a continuously assessed subject. Students will complete weekly tasks that will form part of a final portfolio
of work to be submitted at the end of the semester.
40% Tutorials / exercises
60% Portfolio of work
Rubrics
Rubrics for the assignments are included in the subject notes.
Recommended Reading Material and Information Literacy
Additional information will be added to lecture notes but this is some general information on recommended
landscape material and where to find it.
What is Information literacy?
Information literacy refers to an understanding of and set of abilities empowering students to recognize when
information is needed, and the skills of how to locate, evaluate, and use it effectively. Information literacy enables
people to recognize the value of information and use it to make informed choices in their personal, professional
and academic lives. An information literate student is one who:
●
Recognizes the need for information.
●
Recognizes that accurate and complete information is the basis for intelligent decision making.
●
Identifies potential sources of information.
●
Develops successful search strategies.
●
Accesses sources of information, including computer-based and other technologies.
●
Evaluates information.
●
Organizes information for practical application.
●
Integrates new information into an existing body of knowledge and
●
Uses information in the process of critical thinking and problem solving.
Horticulture & Landscape Library page
Horticulture & Landscape has its own CPUT library page which can be accessed by going to
CPUT website / Library / Our Services / Faculty Librarians / Veliswa Tshesha / Horticulture & Landscape or by going
to this link: http://libguides.library.cput.ac.za/content.php?pid=667775
This page includes many helpful resources including how to find books and journals, information literacy and
referencing. Please also look under the “Useful links” tab for recommended websites.
Faculty Librarian
Ms Mkiva-Johnson, Faculty Librarian: Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology Bellville, 7535, +
27 21 959 6948; http://www.cput.ac.za/library