Course Overview

Learn the theory behind programming languages, discovering how they are designed for human use but are compiled into machine code before being processed by a computer.  Understand the syntactic and semantic rules by which programming languages are defined.  Study Visual Basic and C++, two leading programming languages.  Explore languages used in website design, focusing on Javascript and the markup language HTML, the predominant language of webpage design.  Find out about other programming languages and their uses.

Pre-requisites

No previous experience required.

Qualification

ICS Introduction to Computer Programming Diploma

Support and benefits

• Access to a dedicated ICS tutor to mentor and motivate you throughout
  

Key topics

• Computer Hardware

Explore the development of the computer to its present-day form, and examine the technology that has made this development possible. Consider how the various elements of a computer interact and study the different ways in which computers can communicate with each other.

• Principles of Programming

Learn the principles of programming. Consider for what purposes a variety of different programming languages are typically used. Explore the stages in data processing.

• Elements of Computer Programming

Learn the basics of coding systems. Discovery how to carry out computations in binary arithmetic and explore the differences between various number systems. Examine logic gates and the different types of data representation.

• Operating Systems

Examine the different types of operating systems and learn how operating systems function. Explore high level languages such as COBOL, FORTRAN and Pascal.

• Data Processing and Organisation

Explore a variety of methods of data processing. Examine the different types of checks used for data validation.

• HTML and JavaScript

Learn how to create web pages using HTML. Discover how to use JavaScript to enhance your web pages.

• Visual Basic

Learn the basics of programming in Visual Basic.

Course Code

X02

Hours of study

100 hours

Technical requirements

Minimum system requirements to run CBT: Pentium with 233 MHz or higher; 64 MB RAM (128 MB RAM recommended); 800 x 600 resolution & 256-bit colour (1024 x 768 & 16-bit recommended); audio hardware recommended but not required; 15" monitor (17" monitor recommended).

Outline

You’ll complete five assessments during your course. It is simple and easy to complete these assessments online via the ICS Student Community. When you complete an assessment online, it is marked instantly, meaning that you receive your result straightaway. This allows you to progress through your course without delay. It is, however, also possible to handwrite your answers and post these to ICS.

Assessment Breakdown

• Assessment 1: 20 multiple choice questions
• Assessment 2: 20 multiple choice questions
• Assessment 3: 20 multiple choice questions
• Assessment 4: 10 multiple choice questions
• Assessment 5: 10 multiple choice questions

Notes

Each multiple choice question comes with four potential answers. Only one of these answers is correct; the other three are wrong. You must identify the correct answer.