INSTITUTE OF ACCOUNTANCY ARUSHA

FACULTY OF INFORMATICS
MODULE GUIDELINES

1. INTRODUCTION
Computer Fundamentals introduces first-year students to how computers work
and how we use them every day. You’ll explore the building blocks of a computer
(hardware and software), what an operating system does, and the basics of files,
storage, processes, CPU scheduling, and memory—just enough “under the hood”
to be practical without needing prior experience. By the end, you’ll be able to
identify PC components, install and configure common software safely, manage
files and storage, and explain how an OS runs programs and uses memory—skills
that support further study in programming, data, networks, and cybersecurity.
Learning will be through short lectures and hands-on labs, with assessment via
quizzes/labs and a final exam focused on understanding and simple practical
tasks.
2. MODULE NAME: Computer Fundamentals

3. MODULE CODE: CSU 07103

4. CREDIT HOURS: 10

5. MODULE OBJECTIVES
Use computer fundamental techniques in configuring computers
6. MODULE OUTCOMES
• Use microcomputer in discussing major components of computer system
• Use computer principles in configuring computer software
• Apply computer techniques in configuring computer hardware
• Use processes and memory management algorithms in solving business
problem
7. Teaching & Learning Materials:
Flip charts, marker pens, Hand-outs, computer and Multimedia Projector and text
books.
 7. MODULE CONTENTS

SN Topic Sub Topics Tools Tasks

▪ Definitions, Lecture, videos, e- Assignment,

1 Introduction to ▪ Data Vs. books, online Quiz
Computers & Information, quizzes and
ICT ▪ Uses of assignments
Computers,
▪ Categories Of
Systems.
• CPU, Lecture, videos, e- Assignment,
2 Computer • Motherboard, books, online Quiz
Hardware • Ram, quizzes and
Fundamentals • Storage Types, assignments
• Power,
• Cooling.

Input/Output & • Keyboards, Lecture, videos, e- Assignment,

3 Peripheral • Mice, books, online Quiz
Devices • Displays, quizzes and
• Printers, assignments
• Scanners,
• Ports And
Connectors
4 Data • Bits/Bytes, Lecture, videos, e- Assignment,
Representation • Files/Folders, books, online Quiz
& Storage • Secondary Storage quizzes and
Media (HDD/SSD/Flash), assignments
• Basics Of Backup.
5 System • Roles Of An OS, Lecture, videos, e- Assignment,
Software & • User Interfaces, books, online Quiz
Operating • Drivers, quizzes and
System • Utilities. assignments
Concepts
 File Systems & • FAT/NTFS/Ext Lecture, videos, e- Assignment,
Basic Storage Basics, books, online Quiz
Management • Permissions, quizzes and
• Sharing, assignments
• Disk Management
• RAID (Intro).
Processes, • Process States, Lecture, videos, e- Assignment,
Concurrency & • System Calls, books, online Quiz
CPU • Race Conditions, quizzes and
Scheduling • Deadlock (Intro), assignments
• FCFS/SJF/Priority/
RR
Memory • Partitioning, Lecture, videos, e- Assignment,
Management & • Paging/Segmentati books, online Quiz
Virtual Memory on (Concepts), quizzes and
• Page Faults, assignments
• Working Set (Intro).

Required References:
1. Pettiford, R. (2022). Computers. Minneapolis: Bellwether Media, Inc.
2. Wempen, F. (2022). Computers for seniors: For Dummies. 6th Ed. Hoboken, NJ
103
3. Stallings, W. (2020). Computer Organization and Architecture: Designing for
Performance. 11th ed. Pearson Education, Inc. UK.
4. Dulaney, E., & Graham, M. (2019). CompTIA A+ Complete Review Guide: Exam
Core 1 220-1001 and Exam Core 2 220-1002. Sybex.
5. Horn, M. (2021). Windows 10 for IT Pros: Configuring, Securing and
Troubleshooting. Microsoft Press.
Recommended References
1. HowExpert (2019). How To Speed Up Your Computer: Your Step-by- Step Guide
to Speeding up Your Computer
2. Hamacher, C., Vranesic, Z., Zaky, S., & Manjikian, N. (2020). Computer
Organization and Embedded Systems. 7th ed. McGraw-Hill Education.
 8. ASSESSMENT PLAN (as per the curriculum)
ASSESSMENT PLAN
Assessment Methods
Continuous assessment - 50%

Classroom Based Knowledge Tests – 20%

Competence Test – 20%
Assignments – 10%

End of semester examination - 50% Total -

100%
Classroom Based Knowledge Tests

These are intended to measure the theoretical and practical ability of learners and
evaluate their performance in timed written test of not more than three (3) hours duration
during the semester. The tests will be constructed, supervised and marked by the Institute
lectures. The test will carry 20% marks out of 50% marks for continuous assessment.

Competence Test

These are intended to measure the practical ability of learners. Hence, learners are
exposed to actual doing of particular tasks or skills, i.e. they are made to have their “hands
on things’ for a certain period of time under the observation of a lecturer, using
checklist(s). The test will carry 20% marks out of 50% marks for continuous assessment.
The test will be conducted with not more than 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Assignments

These are questions/problems given to students, which require deep self-study through
reading or other means of investigation in order to reach decisions or find solutions to the
questions/problems. Assignments are given to enhance learners’ self-development as
they inevitably involve their active participation, creativity and critical thinking or problem
solving. The assignment will carry 10% marks out of 50% marks for continuous
assessment.
S/N Sub-enabling Outcome and Related Task
Competence to be assessed
No. of tasks
provided under
Continuous
Assessment and
semester
examination
CA SE
50% 50%
Sub-enabling Outcome:
6.4.1 Use a microcomputer in discussing major components of a computer system

(a) Explain computer system concepts √ √ √ √ √

(b) Describe major components of a

computer system and their relationships
√ √ √ √ √
(c) Differentiate computer hardware from √ √
software
(d) Categorise software, system software
and Utilities
(e) Identify types of computing devices, √ √
internal computer components,
common computer connector types
and peripheral devices
(f) Explain the main functions of √ √ √ √
computers
(g) Identify characteristics of computers √ √ √ √
that make them powerful and useful
(h) Explain the limitations of computers √ √ √ √

Sub-enabling Outcome:
6.4.2 Use computer principles in configuring computer software
Tasks:
(a) Examine the hardware and software √
requirements for operating system √ √
installation
(b) Identify installation types and √ √ √
techniques for installing the operating
system
(c) Perform configuration of the client √ √ √
operating system to support end-user
computing
(d) Perform patches, drivers, and service √ √
packs installation to update operating
system
(e) Install application software to enable √ √
end users to perform day to day tasks
Sub-enabling Outcome:
6.4.3 Apply computer techniques in configuring computer hardware
Tasks:
(a) Examine the motherboard, √ √ √
components, expansions and internal
connections
(b) Apply hardware installation skills in √ √
assembling new computer
(c) Configure motherboard, RAM, CPU, √ √ √
and expansion cards, storage devices
and power supply for optimal device
performance
(d) Perform simple tests to ensure the √ √
devices are correctly installed and
working properly
(e) Use I/O management and disk √ √ √
scheduling (disk scheduling, RAID and
disk cache)
(f) Apply file organisation and access √ √ √
used in operating systems
(g) Employ security mechanisms in a √ √ √
file directory
(h) Perform file sharing, record blocking √ √
and secondary storage management
Sub-enabling Outcome:
6.4.4 Use processes and memory management algorithms in
solving business problem
Tasks

(a) Use system tools to restore and √ √ √

optimize performance
(b) Explain the process description and √ √ √
control in operating systems
(c) Apply the concurrency issues in √ √ √
dealing with deadlock and starvation in
operating systems
 (d) Describe types of scheduling and √ √
Scheduling Algorithm used in operating
systems
(e) Use memory management √ √ √ √
requirements, memory partitioning,
segmentation and paging
(f) Apply the concept of virtual memory √ √ √
management to solve operating
system memory allocations

End of Module Examination

This is an examination given to learners at the end of a module, summing up all the
theoretical and practical tasks not assessed during the course of the module study. It is
done in not less than three (3) hours duration, under the administration of IAA
Examinations Office. External examiners are involved in moderating the questions and,
thereafter, the scripts. The Examinations Office sets the required number of questions for
an examination after the external examiner has moderated a double number of questions
from the internal examiners. The semester examination will carry 50% marks out of 100%
marks which is the total marks of assessment after conversion. The semester examination
will carry the total marks of 100% before converted.
It will comprise of five (5) questions which have 20% marks each.
The cover page for the semester examination

FACULTY OF INFORMATICS

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION SYSTEM

NTA LEVEL 8

_________________________

BACHELOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/BACHELOR OF

COMPUTER SCIENCE YEAR I

CSU 07103: COMPUTER FUNDAMENTAL

FINAL EXAMINATION

ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/2026

_____________________________

DATE……. 2026 TIME ALLOWED: 3 HOURS

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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
1. This examination consists of ……. printed pages.
2. There are ……. questions in this paper.
3. Do not write anything on the question paper.
4. You are reminded to adhere to ALL Institute’s Examination Regulations.