Qatar University
The Foundation Program
Math & Computer Department
Computer 1 - 815021
Computer 1 (815021)
Summer 2007
Course Syllabus
Course Information
Faculty Information
Course Name: Computer 1
Instructor's Name:
Course Number: 815021
Academic Title:
Course Credits: 0
Class Meeting:
 Day:
 Time:
 Lab:
Office Location and Number:
Textbook:
 Title: Microsoft Office 2003, Volume I
 Author: Timothy J. O’Leary & Linda I.
O’Leary
 Publisher: McGraw-Hill 2004
Website: http://
Work Phone: (485)
E-mail:
Office Hours:
Course Description:
This course is designed in a way to provide students with a learning environment in which they
can master the basic computer skills that are considered a must for them to be able to cope with
technology as an educational tool in their future studies. The course contents focuses on basic
computing skills both theoretical (computer concepts) and practical (using Windows and
Microsoft Word), in addition to increase their typing skills.
This course contents are divided into four main topics: typing, computer concepts, working with
Windows and managing files, and word processing.
 Computer Concepts: to introduce students to the basic physical make-up of a personal
computer, networks, security and legal issues associated with computers.
 Working with Windows and Managing Files: to explain the basic functions of a personal
computer and its operating system and provide the skills to manage and organize files,
folders and drives.
 Word Processing: to introduce students to the basic operations associated with creating,
formatting, and finishing a word processing document ready for distribution.
Syllabus – Computer1 (815021) – Spring 2007
Page 1 of 7
Qatar University
The Foundation Program
Math & Computer Department
Computer 1 - 815021
Course Objectives:
The objectives of this course are:
 Developing the ability to use information technology, both individually and collaboratively,
to help formulate questions, generate ideas, seek solutions and solve problems.
 Developing awareness of computer terminology and knowledge of how they work together
in an information technology environment.
 Helping students to recognize the importance of taking responsibility for their own learning
inside and outside the classroom by using learning strategies
 Helping students to manage and organize class information, homework, quizzes, and notes,
manage time and meet homework and project deadlines.
 Helping students learn how to use some more advanced features associated with word
processing applications such as creating tables, using pictures and images within a document,
importing objects and using mail merge tools.
 Enabling students to better use communication tools such as Webmail and Blackboard to
both enhance and extend effectiveness in communication.
Student Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
 Take responsibility for their own learning: using the university Webmail or Blackboard to
download course-related material.
 Use appropriate learning strategies in and out of the classroom.
 Identify basic computer operating skills.
 Compare and explain the difference between computer concepts.
 Use information technology, both individually and collaboratively, to seek solutions and
solve problems.
 Use Word processing to create and format documents and flyers.
 Participate effectively in independent or group work activities by using the following
techniques:
 Asking questions for clarifications.
 Taking notes and recording important information.
 Applying technology of collecting information.
 Applying techniques of sorting out information.
 Applying techniques of evaluating information.
 Solve problems using computer software.
 Apply file management skills to organize class notes, homework, and quizzes in storage
devices such as floppy or flash discs.
Syllabus – Computer1 (815021) – Spring 2007
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Qatar University
The Foundation Program
Math & Computer Department
Computer 1 - 815021
Content Distribution:
Focus/Topics
Session
1
Email & Internet:
1. Use of Email: Understand the structure of E-Mail address, Advantages & disadvantages
of using Email and Using Qatar University Webmail.
2. Define Connectivity and Computer Network.
3. Define and understand the terms FTP, HTML, HTTP, ISP, TCP/IP, URL, Hyperlink,
ISDN, DSL
4. Understand what the Internet is and know some of its main uses
5. Distinguish between Internet and WWW
6. Understand the structure of a Web address.
7. Use of Internet Explorer and other search engines.
Computing Essential Concepts:
2
1. Definition of Information System: People, Procedures, Hardware, Software & Data.
2. Understand the term Hardware, Software and IT.
3. Understand and distinguish between four types of Computers in term of capacity, speed,
cost and typical user.
4. Main Parts of a Personal Computer
a. System Unit, system (mother) board, CPU, primary storage/memory, common input
& output devices, secondary storage devices(Floppy, CD, DVD, USB, Hard Disk),
ports (serial, parallel), bus (USB), communication devices (modem, network),
peripheral device.
5. Hardware:
a. CPU (functions, speed)
b. Understand different types of computer Memory
c. Computer Memory measurements (bit, byte, KB, MB, GB, TB, 1 character = 1Byte)
d. Input & Output devices (mouse, keyboard, scanner, touch pads, light pens, voice
input/mic, web cams, digital cameras), (VDU-computer monitor/screen, flat screen,
screen size, different types of printer – laser, inkjet)
e. Storage Devices – compare in term of speed, cost and capacity (disk, CDs, Hard
disk).
6. Software:
a. Distinguish between systems software and application software.
b. Main functions of systems and application software.
c. Understand reasons for software versions.
7. Occupational Health & Safety Issues
a. Ergonomics & Preventive Measures: Understand what elements/practices create
good working environment
b. Some common health problems associated when using computer
c. Human body: Head, Eyes, Shoulder, Wrists, Neck, etc.
Syllabus – Computer1 (815021) – Spring 2007
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Qatar University
The Foundation Program
Math & Computer Department
Computer 1 - 815021
Essentials of Windows:
3
1. Starting Windows
a. Exploring the desktop - Graphical User Interface (GUI)
b. Using Mouse: Point, Click, Double-click, Triple-Click, Drag and drop, Right-click
2. Demonstrate use of Control Panel (Manage User Accounts, Add or Remove Programs,
Add printer).
3. Working with a Window
a. Identify and exemplify each part of the Window, i.e. Start Button (Start Menu), My
Computer, Recycle Bin e.g.
b. Change the background of the desktop
c. Launch a program(s) and show programming running on Taskbar
d. Show the Icon (=Picture) on desktop
e. Send File to the Recycle Bin (but not from floppy!)
f. Create short-cuts
4. Using My Computer and Windows Explorer
a. Exploring the My Computer View, Changing the view, exploring disk content,
formatting floppy disks and etc.
b. Using Explorer Window and Panes.
c. Using Print Screen or Alt-Print Screen
5. File Management:
a. Difference between a FOLDER and a FILE (including their attributes)
b. Difference between Root folder as the main (or topmost) folder and sub-folders.
c. Folder/File name: Uniqueness of their name at the same level and how file name
(extension) is associated with file type
d. Working with folders: creating, renaming, deleting, moving
6. Using Help & Support (Copy and paste the result to MS Word)
7. Using Search to find files/folder
a. Filename (a*,*a, *.ext, *a*, phrase, location, modified, size
b. Save the search/result as *.fnd
Basic of MS Word:
4
1. Exploring the Word 2003 Window
a. Title Bar, Menu Bar, Tool Bars (Standard, Formatting, and Drawing), Ruler
2. View modes for a document
a. Normal, Web Layout and Print Layout
3. Preparing the document for Word
a. Switching English  Arabic
b. Switching Left-Right  Right-Left
c. Hiding unwanted Tool Bars
d. Changing Options such as Measurement Units (Centimeters/ Inches)
4. Creating, Saving, Closing and Opening new documents.
a. Difference between Save and Save As
5. Basic Text Editing
a. Selection: Word: Double-click, Sentence: Control + Click, Paragraph: Double Click
on Selection Area, Entire document: Control + A or Triple Click on Selection Area
b. Cut/ Copy/ Paste and Drag and Drop
c. Delete/ Backspace/ Undo/ Redo
6. Using the Show & Hide button
7. Using Help in Microsoft Word
Syllabus – Computer1 (815021) – Spring 2007
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Qatar University
The Foundation Program
Math & Computer Department
Computer 1 - 815021
Editing & Formatting:
5&6
1. Text Formatting: Font Type, Font Style (Bold, Italic, Underline: Single, Double,
different color and etc), Size, Effects and Color.
2. Using the Format Painter
3. Spelling and Grammars, Thesaurus (Synonym and Antonym)
4. Find and Replace
5. Using Drop Cap
6. Paragraph Formatting:
a. Line Spacing (Single, 1.5 Lines, Double)
b. Alignment (Left, Right, Center, Justify)
c. Indent (Left, Right, First Line, Hanging)
d. Borders & Shading, Page Border
e. Columns (2 columns)
7. Header & Footer (Page number, Number of Pages, File name, Date & Time)
8. Page Break (Inserting & Removing)
9. Preparing a Document for Printing
a. Page Setup: Margins (Left, Right, Top & Bottom), Orientation and Layout: Page Vertical Alignment
b. Print Preview – Using Magnifier to zoom in, Displaying One/Many page
c. Page Range and copies: All, Current Page, Range of pages and Selection
10. Tabs (Tab Stop; Alignment: Left, Center, Right, Decimal; Tab Leader)
Enhancing Word Document:
6&7
1. Introduction to Graphics -Type of Graphics (Picture, Drawing, Image)
2. Using the Drawing Toolbar: Drawing lines, Shapes, AutoShapes, Text Box, WordArt,
Inserting ClipArt/ Picture, Fill Color, Line Color, Font Color, Line Style, Arrow Style,
Shadow Style
3. Formatting a Graphic - Sizing, Moving, Layout/Alignment
4. Inserting Symbols (Font tables, character code)
Advanced Features:
8&9
1. Bullet and Numbering: Formatting and Customizing the bullet font (character code)
2. Tables:
a. Creating Table
b. Selecting Table/ Columns/ Rows/ Cells
c. Formatting (Manually or AutoFormat)
i. Resizing columns or rows
ii. Positioning tables on the document (left, right, center)
iii. Inserting and deleting columns/ rows/ cells
iv. Merging and Splitting cells
v. Formatting cells
vi. Applying Borders and Shading
3. Footnote and Endnote
4. Date & Time (include Update automatically)
5. Microsoft Equation
6. Hyperlink: To another document, website or email address
Syllabus – Computer1 (815021) – Spring 2007
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Qatar University
The Foundation Program
Math & Computer Department
Computer 1 - 815021
Teaching Methods
The course activities included in this course are:
 Power Point presentations to explain the new lessons.
 Data show to demonstrate skills.
 Practice exercises for students to practice skills.
 Individual or group work through worksheets and end of term project.
 Small group work to solve theoretical worksheets.
 Project Guidelines for grading projects.
Learning Resources and Media
All of the software listed below is already installed on the computer labs where students take their
computer classes:
 GS Typing software for typing skills
 MS Office 2003 software: they are already installed in all computer labs.
 Computer labs.
 Blackboard system
 University Webmail
 Internet
 Teachers websites
 Data show already installed in all computer labs
The University of Qatar implements the following grading system:
A
90 - 100
B+
85 - 89
B
80 - 84
C+
75 - 79
C
70 - 74
D+
65 - 69
D
60 - 64
F
0 - 59
Learning Activities and Tasks:
 Topics Preview: Previewing previous lessons and discussing topics. This can be done in small
groups.
 Worksheets: Using the computers and the software available to solve worksheets provided
inside the classroom. Some of them can be given as homework.
 Listening and practicing: Using the data show to demonstrate a skill and asking students to
open the practice exercises to apply the skill acquired.
Regulations:
Classroom Discipline
 Students are expected to be punctual;
 The use of mobile telephones inside the classroom in strictly Forbidden;
 Food and Beverage are not allowed in the class.
References and Additional Resources




The O'Leary series website: at http://novella.mhhe.com/sites/007283529x/student_view0/
Qatar University's Website
Qatar University's Library
Foundation Program Units Website at:
http://www.qu.edu.qa/qu/colleges/foundation/found_math.html
Syllabus – Computer1 (815021) – Spring 2007
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Qatar University
The Foundation Program
Math & Computer Department
Computer 1 - 815021
Syllabus – Computer1 (815021) – Spring 2007
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