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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2016 - 2017

Module Title IT and Web Technology Fundamentals
Module Code C1
School Open Education

Online Module Resources

Module Co-ordinatorDr. Eamon CostelloOffice NumberDG03
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 15
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description

A module which provides students with an introduction to computer hardware and software, how to plan and design websites, use client side web development technologies such as Javascript, HTML5 and CSS and develop via the server-side language PHP. Students will learn the fundamental principles of programming.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the elements of computer hardware and computer software.
2. Describe the underlying technology and techniques of the Internet.
3. Describe the evolution of Multimedia in a digital environment.
4. Critique internet design issues and methods.
5. Plan, design and develop a web-site using HTML5, JavaScript and CSS.
6. Demonstrate error handling and validation via JavaScript.
7. Apply the key constructions of programming, namely Sequence, Iteration and Selection.
8. Demonstrate how interactive media can be used as part of Internet-based solutions.
9. Generate web pages using the PHP programming language on a virtual machine.
10. Build and modify web interfaces using PHP and HTML forms.
11. Apply good programming practice in relation to web security, debugging, quality assurance, coding standards and documentation.
12. Analyse Search Engine Optimisation techniques.
13. Demonstrate how to optimise a website for mobile devices.
14. Teach programming fundamentals to others



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Tutorial21Face-to-face tutorials are held in DCU on Saturdays and Virtual Classroom tutorials on weekday evenings according to the timetable
Online activity16Interaction with tutor and fellow students
Independent Study338Reading, study, research and problem solving
Total Workload: 375

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

Introduction to Computer Hardware, Computer Software and Digitial Multimedia.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Unit 1: Computer Hardware
Introduction; Strategic Hardware Issues ; Computer Hierarchy; Input and Output Technologies; The Central Processing Unit .

Unit 2: Computer Software
Introduction to Software; Software Issues; Systems Software; Application Software.

Unit 3: Digital Multimedia
Text; Graphics; Video; Animation; Audio.

WEB TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATIONS
Web Technology Foundations.

Unit 4: Planning a Website What is a Website
Effective Website Design Requirements; Practical Steps for Planning a Website; Deciding on Website Content ; Designing The Website, Organising The Website.

Unit 5: Internet Design Issues and Methods
Design Methods; Evaluation Principles; Considerations; Web Site Promotion.

Unit 6: Client-Side Web Development Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
HTML Basics; Nesting Elements; Closing Tags; Lists; Links; Relative and Absolute Addressing; IFrame Tag; Images; View Source and Element Inspector.

Unit 7: HTML5 Introduction
Browser Support; Getting Started; New Features; Drawing Elements; Media Elements; Forms; Semantic/Structural Elements; Apis.

Unit 8: Cascading Style Sheets What is CSS
How Css Came About; Internal Style Sheets; External Style Sheets; Inline Styles; Css Comments; Css Indentation; Css Id Selector; Css Class Selector; Css Background Properties; Css Text Properties; Css Font Properties; Css List Properties; Styling Links With Css; Further Reading.

Unit 9: Cascading Style Sheets 3 (CSS3)
Background Images; CSS3 Gradients; CSS3 Text Effects; CSS3 2D Transforms; CSS3 3D Transforms; CSS3 Transitions; CSS3 Animations; CSS3 Multiple Columns.

Unit 10: Programming with JavaScript Introduction
Output; Statements; Comments; Variables; Data Types; Objects; Functions; Scope Of A Variable; Local Variables; Global Variables; Operators; Arithmetic Operators; Assignment Operators; Comparison Operators; Logical Operators; Conditional Statements; Loops; For Loop; For…In Loop; While Loop; Do While Loop.

Unit 11: JavaScript - Error Handling and Validation Types of Error
Syntax Error; Runtime Error; Logic Error; Error Handling; Try Catch; Throw; Form Validation.

Unit 12: JavaScript Advanced Object
Creating Objects In JavaScript; Adding A Method To An Object In JavaScript; Looping Through The Properties Of An Object; String Object; Number Object; Date Object; Array Object; Boolean Object; Math Object.

Unit 13: Interactive Multimedia Interactivity
Active Documents; Scripting Languages; Rich Multimedia Clientside Technologies; Advanced Web Technologies.

Introduction to Web Programming with PHP.
Why learn PHP? What is the difference between JavaScript and PHP? Setting up a PHP development Environment Installing VirtualBox and the Virtual Machine; Your First PHP Program; Numbers and Operators; Variables; Comparing Selection Loops and Iteration Arrays; GETting information from the web PHP and HTML forms; (POSTing information to the web) Basic Web Security Building a PHP Web Application.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment30% Examination Weight70%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable
Indicative Reading List

  • R. Kelly Rainer, Brad Prince, Casey G. Cegielski: 0, Introduction to Information Systems, 5th Edition, International Student Version, Wiley, 978-1-118-80855-9
Other Resources

None
Programme or List of Programmes
CISCert in Management of IT/IS
CITCertificate in Information Technology
HDSDHigher Diploma in Software Development
ISBSc in Management of Info Tech/Info Syst
ISDIPDiploma in Management of IT/IS
ITBSc in Information Technology
ITDIPDiploma in Information Technology
ITSDiploma/BSc in Information Technology
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