Module: Introduction to Computer Hardware

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Introduction to Computer Hardware
Module Code	CSC1156 (ITS: CA112)
Faculty	Engineering & Computing	School	Computing
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This modules aims to introduce students to: Computer Hardware in general; basic Computer Hardware concepts; basic Computer Hardware and Operating Systems; Computer Hardware types and designs; Computer Hardware selection, deployment and management,VMs and Cloud

Learning Outcomes

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2. Describe the evolution of Computer Hardware
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7. Interpret Computer Hardware specifications
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12. Describe the major functional requirements of an operating system
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17. Demonstrate basic Computer Hardware and Operating System installation skills
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22. Compare Computer Hardware types and designs
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27. Relate Computer Hardware to suitable deployment context
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32. Discuss the merits of particular Computer Hardware
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37. Write reports recommending particular Computer Hardware options for specific contexts
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42. Discuss the procedures for operating systems and devoice driver installation
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47. Explain how Computer Hardware should be managed within an organisation
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50. 10

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Tutorial	12	No Description
Laboratory	24	No Description
Independent Study	65	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10832	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Ray Walshe	Module Teacher	Andrew Mccarren, Denise Freir, Mikhail Kudriavtsev, Silvana MacMahon

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Loop Exam	Loop Based Lab Assessments ( Every Other week from Week 3 Onwards)	100%	As required

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Computer Hardware Overview
History (from vacuum tubes to present day machines); understanding how and why things have and continue to change; Moore's Law; overview of "small hardware" (about the insides of machines) and "big hardware" (how machines are put together and interfaced with the world).

Computer Hardware components and specification
Disk types (hard disk, internal/external disk, optical disk); size (bits, bytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes), speed (MHz, GHz), capacity, other features; basic terminology (e.g. RAM, ROM, cache, DDR2 SDRAM etc.); review of computer hardware suppliers' specifications (e.g. Toshiba, Dell, Sony, others)

Computer Hardware installation ("small hardware")
How to install hardware, working with external devices (e.g. printers), memory (e.g. flash cards, internal/external hard drives, USB memory); relationship between hardware and software; computer accessories (e.g. keyboards, mice, speakers, headphones, graphic cards, cameras); device drivers

Computer Hardware types
Embedded, handheld, netbooks, notebooks, laptops, desktops, servers, mainframes, clusters, high-end machines

Computer Hardware usage contexts ("big hardware")
Small, medium and large enterprises; non-traditional contexts; case studies in choosing machines and infrastructure for enterprises (including budget and data processing needs)

Computer Hardware Lifecycle
Computer hardware evaluation and acquisition, hardware management, Purchasing policy, procurement, maintenance (warranty, technical support), upgrading (when and how, cost-benefit analysis), decommissioning (wiping hard disks, WEE, recycling, disposing)

Basic computer systems security and protection
Disaster recovery, data protection, software licensing and computer viruses

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None