Information Technology Skills (PDM9L6) and
Advanced Information Technology Skills (PDM9L7)

All students need to acquire basic computer skills to enable them to perform effectively in their chosen subject areas.

PDM9L6 is a half credit unit, which introduces and develops good skills in the core computer applications essential in the academic world and the employment market.

PDM9L7 is a half credit unit, which deals with more advanced topics relevant to web design, organising data, and the world of eCommerce.

Who?
What?
How?
When?
Assessment!

Who?

Unless you are in first semester, or have already passed a Computing Science unit, these courses are for you. For PDM9L6, you will not need any previous experience of using computers, while for PDM9L7, usually you will need to have passed PDM9L6. (First semester students should take CSC931: Computing Science 1: Skills and Applications, which is a full unit and can lead directly to more advanced Computing Science courses.)

What?

PDM9L6 consists of a sequence of workshops covering the following topics:

Introduction to the University computers and the Windows environment.
Using the Internet to:
- Find and retrieve information from the World Wide Web.
- Send and receive email.
Creating and preparing documents using word processing (MS Word) and image editing tools.
Calculations and data analysis using spreadsheets (MS Excel).
Creating presentations using MS PowerPoint
Creating simple web pages using MS Word.

PDM9L7 consists of a sequence of workshops covering the following topics:

Working with databases (MS Access).
Designing web pages (HTML and CSS).
Accessibility and Usability in web design.
Multimedia.
Advanced office applications (MS Word and MS Excel).

How?

Both courses are delivered through ten practical workshops, each lasting 2 hours. Students attend one workshop per week during which tutors and demonstrators are present to help with the material in the course worksheets, or more general IT queries.

When?

The courses run in both the autumn and spring semesters. There will be a number of different workshop times available, normally including an evening session. These are booked on a first-come, first-served basis at departmental registration.

Assessment!

There is no final exam (and, consequently, no re-sit). Assessment is by 100% coursework. To obtain a grade for the course students must submit all items of assessed work.

Successful completion of PDM9L6 will be considered for entry into CSC941: Advanced Skills and Applications (an autumn semester course).

Successful completion of PDM9L7 will be considered for entry into CSC932: Programming and User Accessibility (a spring semester course).

Further information can be obtained from: