IT 101

Current Catalog Data: (2:1:2) F, Planning and preparing for a successful career in information technology. Developing skills with computers, problem solving, studying, and time management. Comparing information technology to computer science, computer engineering, and information systems as future careers

Textbook(s):

• Fluency with Information Technology - Skills, Concepts, & Capabilities, Snyder, Lawrence, Addison-Wesley, 2004

Lab Textbook(s): Labs are recorded on spiral bound notepaper booklets

Recommended Book(s):

 

 Reference Book(s):

• Studying Engineering Technology: A Blueprint for Success, by Stephen R. Chesier; Discovery Press, 1998.

Class website: http://www.et.byu.edu/it101/

 

Class Coordinator: Stephen R. Renshaw

Goals:

1. To give students a vision of what a career in Information Technology can be.
2. To give students a vision of what to expect in IT at BYU.
3. To give students a sound foundation for success in IT and at BYU.

Prerequisites by topic: None

Outcomes:

1. Know what IT is as an academic discipline and as a profession.
2. Acquire basic teamwork and project management skills
3. Get to know the IT Faculty.
4. Begin using basic design and problem solving skills.
5. Acquire basic skills in using labs as part of the learning experience.
6. Begin using Oral and Written communication in a professional manner.
7. Be able to reverse engineer a simple algorithm.
8. Acquire basic IT terminology.
9. Be able to use basic IT tools at a beginning level.
10. Understand the pervasiveness of computer devices into our everyday lives
11. Acquire a beginning knowledge of programming.
12. Acquire a beginning knowledge of networking.
13. Acquire a beginning knowledge of operating systems.
14. Acquire a beginning knowledge of database systems.
15. Acquire a beginning knowledge of web systems.
16. Acquire a beginning knowledge of human-computer interfacing.
17. Acquire a beginning knowledge of how data is represented in a computer. (Bits, Bytes, etc.)
18. Acquire a beginning knowledge of computer security and ethical issues.
19. Understand the difference between the four computing majors at BYU. (CS, ECE, IS, IT)

Laboratory Projects: Multiple highly-structured lab experiences allow the students to experience different aspects of IT including building their own small circuit board assembly, programming a microcontroller, building a simple Web page, assembling network cables, assembling a personal computer.

Laboratory assignments: Covered in the previous heading

Laboratory Equipment: Soldering stations, microcontroller programming software, networking cable and tools, open computer lab with web software.

Computer Equipment used: General computing labs, for spreadsheets, advanced word-processing, Linux, and building a Web page.

Written and oral communication requirements: Requires a formal 6-12 page report on a technical topic of their choice. Also requires an oral presentation of this report.

Math Analysis: Algebra only

Lifelong Learning Exercises: This class allows the students to meet all the IT professors, and to feel of their enthusiasm for life-long learning. It also gives a good overview of effective study habits for being a successful student at BYU.

Library or other Research Projects: The 6-12 page paper is of this type.

Prepared By: Stephen R. Renshaw

Date Revised: May 2005