Computers and processors
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| 4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | No residential school |
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Summary
Computers, whether in the form of personal computers or ‘invisibly’ embedded in a wide range of devices, are continuing to change our lives. This course uses examples, ranging from electronic kitchen scales to a robotic milking system, to examine computers and the functions they perform. You will explore the diversity of applications; the fundamental components of the hardware that makes up a computer system; and the basic instructions that are used to make microprocessors perform tasks. The course concludes with a look at PCs – covering topics such as operating systems, processors, and memory – enabling you to identify trends and explain underlying technologies.
Course content
The course starts by exploring the fundamental components that make up a computer. You will see that although individual computers may carry out different activities they all have common features, such as performing data input and output routines, processing instructions to perform required tasks and storing data. You will find out how text, numbers, pictures, sound, etc. can be represented in a computer and how these representations can be stored and processed.
You will use a software simulation of a versatile processor system – written specially for the course – to explore how computers are programmed with instructions to carry out specified tasks. The functions performed by the individual components of a processor will be described and you will find out why different processors are suitable for different types of task.
Examples of a range of simple and complex processor-based systems will be used to show the diversity of embedded computer applications and to introduce examples of sensors, actuators and other components of these systems. These examples will include computers that use communicating processors, and you will find out about the need for standards and protocols in this communication. The basic properties of electrical, optical and wireless links will be explained and their possibilities and limitations explored for different systems.
Practical issues in the design of processor-based systems such as consideration of performance, power consumption, size, cost, reliability, safety, maintainability and lifecycle issues will be discussed. You’ll also learn how to make broad assessments of the general requirements of a computer-based system in terms of processing speed, memory size, speed of data transfer, power requirements, cost, etc.
Finally you’ll look at the development of the personal computer, finding out about its main subsystems and their interconnections, and how it links with its peripheral devices. The structure and functions of operating systems will be explained from a user perspective. Also trends in increasing processor performance will be discussed.
The last block of the course will help you prepare for the end of course examination. It will show you how to plan your examination revision, use the specimen examination paper effectively and organise your time efficiently in the examination.
Entry
T224 is a Level 2 course, but no skill or knowledge in this area is assumed. Basic numeracy is expected (add/subtract, multiply, divide, powers of ten, simple graphs). You should have a working knowledge of the Windows operating system and be able to use your computer to install and run application software and to access online resources.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
There is no specific preparatory work, but the following would be helpful:
- practice with using a computer for the uses mentioned in the Entry section
- exercises covering the basic numeracy skills listed in the Entry section.
If you are newly returned to study you should read a suitable book such as The Sciences Good Study Guide by Northedge, Thomas, Lane and Peasgood (The Open University, 1997).
Qualifications
T224 is a compulsory course in our
T224 is an optional course in our
- Diploma in Information Technology (D39)
- BSc (Honours) Information Technology and Computing (B13)
- BSc (Honours) Technology (B20)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (B24)
- Foundation Degree in Information and Communication Technologies (G04)
- Diploma of Higher Education in ICT (E39)
- Foundation Degree in Business Information Technology (G13)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Business Information Technology (E45)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it can help to weight your degree towards a BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a course towards a qualification if you have already taken another course with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this course, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
You will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer and the internet. Students with visual disabilities may have problems with the practical based computer work which will involve reading on screen text and viewing colour images. The course materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Large print versions of the course material can be provided on request. Written transcripts are available for the audio-visual material. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course books, other printed materials, CD-ROM and DVD, online forum and course website.
You will need
If you are planning to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) electronically then you will need office software such as a word processor.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running windows Boot Camp or similar.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day-schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You can choose whether to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) on paper or online through the eTMA system. You may want to use the eTMA system for some of your assignments but submit on paper for others. This is entirely your choice.
Assessment is an essential part of the teaching, so you are expected to complete it all. Substitution does not apply in T224. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the course.
Professional recognition
This course may help you to gain recognition from a professional body. Ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for Recognition leaflets 3.3 Professional Engineering Institutions, 3.7 Computing and 3.11 Other Professional Bodies for further information.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2011. We expect it to be available at the same time once a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Computing and ICT and Engineering and Technology.
Study explained
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- Study explained
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Student Reviews
An EXCELLENT course and a very good grounding for anyone wanting to go into an IT Support role because it ...
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This was a great course, very interesting. The tutor was excellent, even though I only made it to one tutorial, ...
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