Kenya Highlands Evangelical University, Kericho, Kenya

A. Common Core Courses- 12 Credit Hours

Biblical Literature/Languages (4 hrs)

B. Major Core Courses (84 Credit Hours)

DESCRIPTION OF COURSES

CS-101 COMPUTERS AND THE SOCIETY

DESCRIPTION:

This unit introduces students to the roles played by computers in the society.

 

CONTENT:

Impact of computers on society; Social structures, contribution of computers towards development; Uses and applications of computers for national development; ICT in selected application areas, e.g. communication, agriculture, health-care services, banking, administration, accounting, planning and decision making; legal issues relating to computerized Systems e.g. intellectual property rights, copyright laws, etc.

 

CS-102 FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER OPERATIONS  

DESCRIPTION:

This course provides students with basic knowledge of computer operations, the key concepts of Computer Studies and Information & Communication Technology in particular. It introduces the learner to the general knowledge of computer systems as well as hands-on experience with application packages such as word-processors, spreadsheets, databases, presentation graphics etc.

 

CONTENT:

The course covers the following topics: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems: Basic computer processing, software categories, digital computers, data representation, Computer architecture, input/output devices, main and secondary memory, central processing unit. Introduction to windows operating systems environment (e.g. Windows 95/98/NT/ME/2000/ and Windows XP). Word Processing using MS-Word: Producing documents with different formats and styles; Using Mail merge feature to create letters; manipulation of text and graphics and documents. Spreadsheets: Using MS-Excel for budgeting and analyzing financial & statistical data; Adding charts and objects to worksheets; importing external data from other applications such as databases. MS PowerPoint: Designing excellent presentations with MS PowerPoint.

CS-103  OPERATING SYSTEMS 1

DESCRIPTION:

The course is an introduction to major operating system principles. It includes an understanding of the organization and architecture of computer systems at the register-transfer and programming levels of system description.

 

CONTENT:

The topics that will be covered in this course are as follows: Functions and DESCRIPTIONs of operating systems, types of operating systems; difference between operating systems; installation and configuration of operating systems; file systems; directory management: root directories, folders and sub-folders, command syntax, internal & external command syntax; file naming conventions: file types and formats, file attributes, folder and file navigation; disk management utilities; device management; memory management; virtual memory; interrupt handling; processor scheduling

 

CS-104 COMPUTER SCIENCE MATHS

DESCRIPTION:

This unit is intended to provide the learner with the necessary computing skills that enables him/her to use numerical methods to quantify and process data.

 

CONTENT:

Basic set operations, elementary mathematical logic: (Decimals, integers and conversion between each); Binary numbers, octal numbers; indices and logarithms, quadratic equations, relations and functions, permutation and combination, matrices, calculus, elementary geometry, equation of straight lines and curves, trigonometry, partial fractions, financial computations (Principal, Rate and Amount and calculating simple and compound interest), Statistics: probability concepts, ratios, questionnaires, measures of central tendencies and dispersion, correlation and regression, time series.

 

CS-105  INFORMATION SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN  

DESCRIPTION:

The course covers an overview of the systems development cycle; basic fact-finding techniques; strategies and techniques of structured systems development

 

CONTENT

Concepts and Tools for Systems analysis; techniques and tools of documentation and logical specifications; classification of systems, System modeling processes; soft system stools and techniques; logical data structures; system specification; role of systems analyst; interaction between the theory and practice of Systems Analysis; Systems development life cycle; analyzing an existing system; systems design tools & methods; systems implementation, testing and maintenance.

Introduction to information systems: role of IS in organizational running and management; Effective communications as a systems analyst/designer; components of an information system; types of Information systems e.g. MIS, TPS, DSS, ESS; network infrastructure; network connectivity and access; supply chain management; Introduction to e-commerce: classification e.g. B2B, B2C, C2C, G2C etc; M-commerce and wireless applications; online transaction technologies; E-government issues, electronic Data Interchange; security issues; legal issues; CASE tools; emerging issues in automated systems development tools.

 

CS-106 FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER PROGRAMMING

DESCRIPTION:

This course lays the foundation for modern programming. The student receives an overview of programming methodology and learns to write programs following good style and according to accepted practices. A high-level structured programming language like C++ or Visual Basic will be used.

 

CONTENT:

This course covers the following topics: importance of programming in business, Types of programming languages, flowcharting, Software development cycles, simple data types, procedures and functions, sequential files, recursion, scope and arrays; Introduction to Object Oriented Programming: meaning and advantages of OOPS, components of OOPS, procedures of top-down programming, multi-way selections, functions and sets, records, strings, stacks, queues, searching, sorting, pointers and linked lists, pointers and dynamic storage, B-trees, approach towards system development.

 

CS-108  OPERATING SYSTEMS II

DESCRIPTION

This course is intended to provide the learner with sound background knowledge in operating systems. The leaner will learn how to make effective use of operating system features and functions, and how an operating system is designed.

 

CONTENT:

Operating systems Architecture: user and Kernel mode, systems environment settings; File systems: NT file system, Compact Disk (CD) file system, Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) file system, distributed file system; managing partitions, supporting applications: 32-bit Applications, Legacy Applications, running applications, managing Applications; managing printing; using the control panel; sharing and securing resources; managing fault tolerance; connectivity: network driver interface, configuring protocols, Dynamic Host Configuration (DHCP), internetworking different operating systems, Advanced directory services, capturing and filtering network traffic, analyzing network traffic; case study of the LINUX operating system.

 

CS-109  DIGITAL ELECTRONICS

DESCRIPTION

To appreciate basic concepts of logic circuits and interfacing.

 

CONTENT:

Logic Circuits: Application of Boolean algebra to logic circuits. Analysis and design of combinational logic circuits. Simplification using Boolean algebra theorems. Karnaugh maps. Electronic realization of logic values and gates. Logic families ;open collector and tri-state gates and their applications. Semi-custom logic and programmable devices.

Analysis and design of sequential circuits; inputs triggered, clock triggered circuits; races, hazards.  Consideration of common logic circuits such as adders, comparators, decoders, counters, parallel and shift registers, etc.

Interfacing: interfacing digital and analog devices. Memory interfaces. Buses and device controllers. Bus standards. Serial and Parallel interfaces. A/D and D/A conversions.

 

CS-110 PC HARDWARE MAINTENANCE

Description:

The course is intended to provide the learner with hands-on experience of hardware and software. Practical experience will be gained in hardware trouble-shooting and upgrading. Operating systems and applications will be installed and upgraded.

 

content:

Introduction to computer hardware components; maintenance skills; troubleshooting skills; advanced Dos commands; safe assembling and disassembling of a PC; installing drives; Power-on-Self-Test (POST); Hardware & software troubleshooting techniques; using diagnostic utilities; configuring hardware; installation & upgrading of software; data recovery concepts; virus detection & prevention; troubleshooting windows registry problems; memory management techniques; using the device manager to solve configuration problems; disk partitioning and repartitioning.

 

CS-111 COMPUTER ORGANIZATION

DESCRIPTION:

This course introduces student to the structure and function of computing machines. The concept that computing machines consist of layers of virtual machines is used as an organizing principle.

 

CONTENT:

Introduction: structure computer organization computer system organization: processors, primary memory, and secondary memory, input/output. Digital logical level: gates, Boolean algebra, digital logic circuits, memory, cpu chips and buses. Micro architecture level: microinstruction design, control, and. ISA level (Instruction set architecture level): data types, instruction format, addressing, instruction types, and flow of control. OSM (Operating system machines) level: virtual memory, virtual I/O instructions, and Parallel computer architectures

 

CS-211 PRINCIPLES OF DATA-COMMUNICATIONS

Description:

This course unit enables the student to effectively appropriate knowledge and skills in data communication networks. 

CONTENT

Components of data transmission system; information bearing signals; transmission media and their characteristics; communication equipment; Data encoding; Channel characteristics, bandwidth, data rates, data capacity; transmission modes, Modulation and demodulation methods; Synchronization; Error control: detection and correction; Data compression; Multiplexing; contention channels; concentration. Communication control procedures; Communication software; Basic serial communications interfacing standards. Standard data communication protocols: Integrated Systems Digital Network (ISDN), Digital Subscriber line (DSL); Switching: circuit switching, packet switching, public switched Telephone Network; introduction to wireless data communication systems; practical installation of data communication devices.

 

CS-212 PRINCIPLES OF COMPUTER NETWORKING

Description:

The course covers the study of various types of hardware and software protocols used in communication networks. The inclination is given to the impact of data communication in relation to networking and distributed processing.

 

Content:

Introduction to computer networking; classification of computer networks; Network architecture: components, interconnections, protocols; communication protocol components; ISO-OSI reference model. Media access protocols; data-link control; end-to-end connection methods: circuit and packet switching. End-to-end protocols: connection oriented and connection-less protocols; protocol components: Routing static, dynamic. Internetworking and inter-network protocols; protocol layers: Application Layer Overview: HTTP, FTP, SMTP, DNS Protocols, Transport Layer, Reliable and Unreliable data transfer, Congestion and Flow Control, Network Layer and Routing Protocols (Distance Vector, link state), IPv4, ICMP, Internet Routing Protocols, Link Layer Protocols, Local Area Networks, Ethernet, Token Ring, Fast Ethernet, VLAN, configuring a computer for the internet; configuring the modem; surfing the Internet; Internet protocol: IP protocol architecture; addresses, data units, interface configuration, address resolution, Internet applications. Introduction to Wide Area Network; network security: Firewalls, Simple Network Management Protocol; Introduction to wireless Networking, wireless connectivity devices, solving common network problems such as Loss of network connectivity, Loss of data, Network slowdowns, increasing network bandwidth

 

CS-213: COMPUTERIZED RESEARCH ANALYSIS

Description

This course is intended to provide the learners with broad range of capabilities for analytical process in the research field. It aims at applying statistics software to gain greater insight into the actions, attributes, and attitudes of people such as customers, employees, students, or citizens.

 

Content:

This course covers the following topics: definition and scope of research, research areas such as administrative, scientific, medical, planning & forecasting, social science.

Introduction to statistics: definition and role of statistics; classification and presentation of data; measures of central tendency; measures of dispersion; skewness, moments and kurtosis; time series analysis; correlation and regression; probability and probability distribution; Sampling and Sampling distribution, frequency distribution, Introduction to linear programming

Research planning methodology: data collection, data access, data management and preparation, data analysis, reporting, and deployment.

Introduction to SPSS software: application areas, features of SPSS for windows; Introduction to SPSS Classification Trees

Working with SPSS: data entry, data analysis, interpretation, Statistical Tests, Statistical analysis with SPSS, Survey Analysis Using SPSS, Presenting Data with SPSS Tables; Market Segmentation Using SPSS, Advanced Analytics for Market Research with SPSS, Introduction to SPSS Maps

 

CS-214 COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

DESCRIPTION:

To appreciate how the conceptual building blocks of computers systems may be implemented as physical hardware in microprocessors systems from given instructions sets.

 

CONTENT:

The art of digital design; Algorithmic state machines (ASM); instruction set Architecture (ISA): Types, formats; Hard ware systems Architecture from ISA: Processor unit organization: control unit design: Hardwired and microprogrammed control; ALU, processor registers and internal buses; control signals; Memory organization and addressing; Input/Output and storage devices; system architecture.

 

 

 

CS-215 DATA STRUCTURES & ALGORITHMS

DESCRIPTION 

To appreciate how computing systems may be designed, from an Instruction set Architectural perspective, as algorithmic interpreters and implemented using data structures.

 

CONTENTS:

Algorithms, algorithmic ISA, control structure, instruction set completeness &correctness; Data Structures: strings arrays, stacks, queues, lists, trees; Abstract data types: storage management implementation of Algorithms: internal sorting, external sorting, searching, merging; Analysis efficiency.

 

CS-216 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING METHODOLOGIES

DESCRIPTION:

To demonstrate proficiency in software engineering methodologies.

To demonstrate proficiency in selected case tool.

 

CONTENT:

Process-Oriented design: In-depth review of a selected methodology. Overview Data-Oriented Design. Overview Object –Oriented Design. Event driven design: In-depth review of selected methodology. In-depth comparison of process, data and Event driven methods. formal methods. CASE tools: in-depth of a selected CASE tool

 

CS-217   DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Description:

This course aims at exploring the theory behind relational database systems, the practice of developing database applications, and the technologies used to implement database management systems.

 

Content:

Overview of Database systems; Database architecture & its environment; Entity Modeling; Normalization; Relational Database systems; network databases; file organization and access methods; database security & integrity; Introduction to SQL and Oracle database systems; Practical programming methodologies involving Database design.

 

CS-218  WEB DESIGN

Description:

The purpose of the course is to introduce the student to the current Internet Web Design methods.

 

Content:

The course takes the students through substantial practical components in building Web sites; the students will make full use of the range of technologies for building Web-based interfaces such as HTML, Front Page, Dream weaver, Fireworks, JavaScript); architecture of the Web; constructing usable Web-based interfaces; designing and implementation of information infrastructures (databases) to support Web services; connecting databases and other information sources to Web interfaces via server-side scripting languages;

 

CS-219 Emerging issues in computing

Description:

The aim of the course is to take a look at emanating new technologies in the computing field. The learner is expected to get informed of these new technologies with a view to embracing them.

 

Content:

This course is designed to be open ended. The lecturer will take a look on arising issues in computing technology and thereby develop a course scope.

 

CS-220 OPERATION RESEARCH 

DESCRIPTION:

To demonstrate competence in the application of techniques in operation research.

 

CONTENT:

Linear programming the transportation problem, theory of games, network analysis (PERT/CPM), queuing systems and models, inventory control models, replacement decisions, sequencing models, integer and dynamic programming simulation.

 

CS-221 OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING 

DESCRIPTION:

To demonstrate an in-depth understanding of object-Oriented concepts.

To apply object-oriented programming languages;

 

CONTENT:

Evolution of object oriented programming languages;

Introduction to object technology, concepts and terminology: Abstraction, encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, Classes, Object, Methods, Messages. Review an OOP language. Object oriented programming in a selected language: Abstract data types and classes, single and multiple inheritance, Overloading, polymorphism, dynamic binding, genericty, Object class libraries. Introduction Techniques of object oriented design: identifying objects and classes; identifying semantics of objects and classes; identifying type hierarchies.

 

CS-222 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING

DESCRIPTION:

To develop programs using assembly language

 

CONTENT:

Introduction to machine and assembly language. Machine programming model i.e. registers sets and memory structure. Concepts and instruction formats. Data word definition. Addressing techniques including absolute, relative, indexed and indirect modes. Implementation of high-level language operations and constructs in assembly language. Stack operations. Procedures and parameter passing. I/O instructions and devices handling. Operating system interfaces. Multi-module programs and their linkage. Linkers and loaders. Relocating loaders. Interfacing assembly language programs with high-level language programs.

 

CS-223 INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT (8-10 WEEKS)

Description:

This course covers eight to ten weeks of practical training in the department of computer at any reputable organization chosen by the learner. The student will take on this project in the course of May-term of the second year.

 

CS-224 PROJECT

Description:

This course gives the student the chance to identify a computing problem of a medium scale and try to provide the solution to it. In this case, the learner will be expected to undertake on real life practical programming project in any area of computer application. The student will specify the project area, analyze, design and implement a computer system, under the supervision of his/her lecturer throughout the project design.

 

CS-225  ELECTRONICS

 

CONTENT:

Logic Circuits: Application of Boolean algebra to logic circuits; Analysis and design of logic circuits; Simplification using Boolean algebra theorems, Using Karnaugh maps, combinational circuits, realization of Electronics by use of logic values and gates; types of Logic gates and their applications; Data representation in electronics.

Analysis and design of sequential circuits; input triggered, clock triggered circuits; races, hazards. Consideration of common logic circuits such as adders, decoders, counters, Passive components, resistance, active components, decoders, fuses, capacitors, transistors, diodes, amplifiers, integrated circuits, registers, multiplexes; simple electric circuits e.g. current, voltage, power; parallel and shift registers, fault diagnosis etc.

Interfacing digital and analog devices: Memory interfaces; Buses and device controllers. Bus standards. Serial and Parallel interfaces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The current Diploma in Computer Science programme of study – 78 Credit Hours

First Year, September Term
Course code	Course title
CS 101	Computers and the society (2 Hrs)
BL-108	Bible Survey (4 Hrs)
CS 102	Fundamentals of Computer Operations (4 Hrs)
CS 103	Operating Systems 1 (2 Hrs)
First Year, January Term
CS 104	Computer Science Maths (4 Hrs)
CS 105	Information Systems Analysis and Design (2 Hrs)
CS 106	Fundamentals of computer programming (4 Hrs)
TH-108	Basic Christian Beliefs (4 Hrs)
First Year, May Term
CS 107Â	Business comm Skills & Entrepreneurship (2 Hrs)
CS 108	Operating Systems II (4 Hrs)
CS 109	Electronics (2 Hrs)Â
CS 110	PC Hardware maintenance (4 Hrs)
Second Year, September Term
CS 211	Principles of data-communications (2 Hrs)
CS 212	Principles of Computer Networking (4 Hrs)
CS 213	Computerized Research Analysis (4 Hrs)
CE-438	Moral and Faith Development (2 Hrs)
Second Year, January Term
CS 214	Database Management Systems (4 Hrs)
CS 215	Web Design (4 Hrs)
RS-318	Independent Religious Groups & Sects (2 Hrs)
CS 216	Emerging issues in computing (2 Hrs)
PM-118	Principles of Christian Leadership (2 Hrs)
Second Year, May Term
CS 217	Industrial Attachment (10Wks) – 10 Hrs
CS 218	Project (4 Hrs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proposed structure - Diploma in Computer Science programme of study – 96 Credit Hours

First Year, September Term
Course code	Course title
CS 101	Computers and the society (2 Hrs)
BL-108	Bible Survey (4 Hrs)
CS 102	Fundamentals of Computer Operations (4 Hrs)
CS 103	Operating Systems 1 (2 Hrs)
CS-212	Computer Networking Principles (2 Hrs)
GS-108	Introduction to Library Resources (2)
First Year, January Term
CS 104	Computer Science Maths (4 Hrs)
CS 105	Information Systems Analysis and Design (2 Hrs)
CS 106	Fundamentals of computer programming (4 Hrs)
TH-108	Basic Christian Beliefs (4 Hrs)
CS-211	Principles of Data Communications (2 Hrs)
First Year, May Term
CS-111	Computer Organization (2 hrs) *
CS 108	Operating Systems II (4 Hrs)
CS 109	Digital Electronics (4 Hrs)Â
CS 110	PC Hardware maintenance (2 Hrs)
CS-215	Web Development (4 hrs)
Second Year, September Term
CS 213	Computerized Research Analysis (2 Hrs)
CE-438	Moral and Faith Development (2 Hrs)
CS-214	Computer Architecture (4 Hrs) *
CS-215	Data Structure & Algorithms (4hrs) *
CS-216	Software Engineering Methodology (2 hrs) *
CS-225	Electronics (2 hrs) *
Second Year, January Term
CS 214	Database Management Systems (4 Hrs)
CS-220	Operation Research (4 hrs) *
CS 216	Emerging issues in computing (2 Hrs)
CS-221	Object-Oriented Programming (4 hrs)*
CS-222	Assembly Language Programming (2 hrs) *
Second Year, May Term
CS 217	Industrial Attachment (10Wks) – 12 Hrs
CS 218	Project (4 Hrs)

 

 

* Denotes new proposed courses