FNE1108 Computer Applications

This course is designed for students who have little or no experience using computers. Students will acquire skills in basic organisation of computers, concepts and terminologies in a computerized environment as well as an in depth understanding of how to use and manipulate common computer applications such as Ms Office, Ms Power point, Ms Access, MS Excel and Internet.

Spreadsheets are part of these computer programs that are useful in storing, organizing and analyzing data. They are equipped with mathematical and statistical functions that can show results graphically. The statistical add-ins are increasingly being developed. R-Excel is one example. Databases are powerful programs customized to store and retrieve data. Excel and Access are the most prevalent spreadsheet software used for data storage, analysis, and interpretation. For this reason, the course is oriented towards an understanding of Excel and Access and their application in earth observation and physical land resources. 

Course objectives
By the end of the course, students will be equipped with: 

• Basic knowledge about computer parts, organization and how to operate a computer.
• Skills of using common Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• Knowledge of different operating systems such as Windows and how to perform basic manipulations 
• Information about modern and emerging computer trends and appreciate the challenges of dealing with modern information technologies.
• The ability to edit, format, structure a document and use of menu options and tool bars and to printing. 
• Skills of how to use the internet for communication and information search as well as understand how internet technologies and how it works.
• Knowledge of how to address the security concerns of using a computer and how to combat these issues.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, the student should demonstrate capacity to:

• Apply knowledge about components parts and skills to manipulate the computer in carrying out basic maintenance and repairs.
• Use of software in the categories of operating systems, word processing, Access (spreadsheets), presentation and graphics to enhance  learning in environmental and natural sciences”.
• Compare and contrast different operating systems. 
• Evaluate use and application of cutting edge information technologies against performance of modern information technologies.
• Apply various functions of the computer to generating information for management of natural resources.
• Use internet to search information about environmental and natural sciences and communicate to stakeholders in natural resources management.
• Use passwords and other safety measures to protect documents in computer.