Bahria University

(Islamabad Campus) Department of Management Sciences

(Undergraduate Studies)

Course Title:
Information Technology in Business
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Course Code:
Credit Hours: Three (3)
Semester: 2nd Semester
Prerequisites: None
Instructor : Saima Nadeem
COURSE RATIONALE
Computer systems are ubiquitous in today’s society. The need for computer systems for most
organizations is no longer a luxury but a necessity for survival in the information age we live in today.
Information counts on effective data gathering and storing techniques, hence the use of databases comes
into effect. Databases allow us to store, collate and access data. Internet has brought a new revolution in
the way people think and conduct business. The concept of e-commerce is becoming a reality and more
businesses today than ever have a presence on the internet. Computer networks, databases internet and
communication technologies all are part of information technology. This course would introduce
information technology and how it can be useful to a modern manager in the day to day business
activities.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Develop a comfort level with and an understanding of information technology from a business
perspective. Be able to explain basic concepts used in Information technology. Debate and understand
the social and business implications of widespread use of the Information Technology. In addition, be
able to operate selected computer based application package such as spreadsheet, word processing,
multimedia and presentation tools in a variety of business situations.

LEARNINGS OUTCOMES
After completing this course, a student will be able to:
• Understand different terms associated with Information Technology
• Identify various components of a computer system
• Identify the various categories of software and their usage
• Define the basic terms associated with communications and networking
• Understand different terms associated with the Internet and World Wide Web.
• Use various web tools including Web Browsers, E-mail clients and search utilities.
• Use text processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools and a simple database tool.
• Understand the enabling/pervasive features of Information Technology

TEXT BOOKS (S) AND REFERENCES

Text Book:
 Using Information Technology, 8th edition; Williams & Sawyer

Reference Material:
 Introduction to Computers, Sixth Edition; Peter Norton.
 Bahria University
(Islamabad Campus) Department of Management Sciences
(Undergraduate Studies)

 Essential Concepts, Fifth Edition; Peter Norton.

 Computers, twelfth edition; Long Long.

ASSESSMENT EVALUATION
 Final Exam 40%
 Midterm Exam 25%
 Quizzes 15%
 Project 15%
 Assignments 05%
 Total 100%

COMPUTER USAGE
All The classes will be held in the computer Labs. Students will learn Microsoft word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft
PowerPoint, Microsoft Project and Access. An introduction of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and Microsoft
FrontPage will also be given.

GUIDELINES AND ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

 Attendance policy: Attendance is deemed as an essential tool to gauge the continuity of learning and
guidance process, and is strictly applicable to all the course students. Students are advised to attend
all the classes; however there is a maximum limit of 20% missed classes per course as per the
attendance policy. Students missing more than the above specified limit will be dealt accordingly and
will not be allowed to sit in the final exam.

 Quizzes: This course will utilize both announced and un-announced quizzes, as a tool to measure the
learning outcome for individual course students. Students are therefore advised to be prepared all the
times to perform well in this course. If a student is absent on the day of an announced quiz , the quiz
will neither be retaken nor will it be compensated in some other way.

 Group Project: In order to pass this course, students have to undergo a group project . A business plan
(requirements, feasibilities and analysis) using Microsoft word will be submitted by each group of
students. A Power point presentation will be given by the students regarding the business plan as
well. They will also develop the business plan’s account spread sheet using excel and a Time line
chart using Microsoft Project. The groups will be formed in the second week of the semester and the
project will be defined in the 4th week.

 Deadline extension policy: You are intimated in advance that there is no room for deadline extensions
in this course for individual as well as for group activities/ submissions. The sole reason for this is the
provision of similar grounds to each participant. Therefore do not ask for any such injustice.

 Academic Integrity: Students are required not to indulge in plagiarism and dishonesty, and will be
dealt strictly if found guilty of such an offense. Remember, you are free to discuss and can study in
groups; however on account of individual submissions you are required to submit your own effort on
the topic given.
 Bahria University
(Islamabad Campus) Department of Management Sciences
(Undergraduate Studies)

 Missed Classes: Students are encouraged not to miss any classes. Kindly make sure it is sole
responsibility of the participant to compensate for the loss incurred. No excuses will be dealt on this
account.

Recommended Reading:
 Reference portals: Below is a list of a few online resources for updated and current industry news and
views. Students are required to browse through various topics in order to develop a sound
understanding of the course.
a) http://www.infoworld.com/
b) http://www.techweb.com/
c) http://computer.howstuffworks.com/
d) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Information_technology
e) http://www.cio.com/
f) http://www.computerworld.com/
g) http://www.pcmag.com/
h) http://www.techworld.com/
i) http://www.pcworld.com/
j) http://www.internetnews.com
k) http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/
l) http://www.ecommerce-guide.com

 Self learning Videos:

a) Microsoft Access 2007 courses
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/CR101582831033.aspx

b) Microsoft Excel 2007 courses

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/CR100479681033.aspx

c) Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 courses

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/CR100654571033.aspx

d) Microsoft Word 2007 courses

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/CR100654561033.aspx

COURSE CONTENTS / SYLLABUS BREAKDOWN IN LECTURES

(WEEKLY COURSE OUTLINE)
*
Wee Lecture Topic Lab Activity
k
*course introduction, Rules and guidelines
1 related to the course. *Lab Session (hands on search
*Teaching methods & Assessment engines, world wide web)
*course introduction
 Bahria University
(Islamabad Campus) Department of Management Sciences
(Undergraduate Studies)

2 Introduction to Information Technology *Lab Session (Word processing using

*Cell phones, e-mail, internet & the e-world Microsoft Word) contd.
*The varieties of computers *Groups formation
*How Computers work
*Input, storage and output hardware
*Where is Information Technology headed

The internet and the world wide web

3 *Choosing internet access device & physical
connection *Lab Session (Word processing using
*Choosing your Internet service provider Microsoft Word)
*Working of the internet
*Sending & receiving e-mail
*The World Wide Web, search engines & Portals

Application software
4 *Types of application software
*Common features of software Basics of a multimedia and
*Word processing, Spread Sheets, databases, graphics(file types and tools)
graphics, presentation, publishing, CAD/CAM, Project
management, video editing software.

System software
5 *Components of system software *Lab Session (hands on Microsoft
*Operating system, device drivers and utility Excel)
programs
*Common Operating Systems
*The Web Services platform
*Open Source computing
Hardware
6 *Microchips, miniaturization & mobility
*The system unit
*Working of the Processors(CPU, ALU & Registers), Lab Session (hands on Microsoft
Busses, Memory(RAM, ROM, CMOS & Flash), Excel)contd.
Motherboard
* Secondary Storage devices( Floppy, HDD, CD,
DVD, Flash memory cards, smart cards, magnetic
tape, online secondary storage
*Future developments in processing & storage

Input and Output Hardware

7 *Input Hardware(keyboards, pointing devices,
scanning &reading, digital cameras, sensors,
audio/video input devices, RFID tags, human biology Lab Session (hands on Microsoft
input devices ) Excel)contd.
*Output Hardware(display screens, printers,
sound/voice/video output)
*The future of input and output
*Input/output technology and quality of life

Telecommunications-networks &
8 communications
*The analog & the digital age *Lab Session (hands on Microsoft
*The practical uses of communications Powerpoint)
*Communication Media (wired, wireless), The
electromagnetic spectrum,
compression/decompression & transfer rates
 Bahria University
(Islamabad Campus) Department of Management Sciences
(Undergraduate Studies)

*Line configurations, transmission modes, direction of

transmission(simplex, half duplex, full
duplex),switching, multiplexing & protocols
*Networks, types, components & topologies
*Intranets/extranets & firewalls
*The future of communications(grid computing,
photonics, 4G, software defined radio)

9 Mid Term Mid Term

Files, Databases & e-commerce

10 *How data is organized
*Types of files *Lab Session (hands on Microsoft
*Data access methods Powerpoint)contd.
*Offline vs online storage
*Database Management systems & its features
*Database models
*E-commerce, data mining & B2B systems
*Ethical issues about privacy, accuracy, identity
*Monopolizing Information

Society & Information Technology Today

11 *Security issues *Lab Session (hands on Microsoft
*Computer related crimes Project)
*Worms and viruses
*Encryption/ data/software protection
*Disaster recovery plans
*Quality of life issues
*Economic issues
*Internet 2
*Whom does the internet serve?
Society & IT Tomorrow
12 *Emerging global telecommunications
*Artificial Intelligence
*Information &education *Lab Session (hands on Microsoft
*Health, medicine & science Access)contd.
*Commerce & Money
*Entertainment & the arts
*Government & Electronic Democracy
*Jobs & careers

Information management & system

13 development
*Organizations, managers, & information
*Information flow within organizations
*Computer based information systems Basics of HTML and Microsoft
*Decision support systems, transaction processing, FrontPage
Executive support systems, Expert systems, Office
automation
*Systems development: the six phases of systems
analysis and design
 Bahria University
(Islamabad Campus) Department of Management Sciences
(Undergraduate Studies)

Basics of HTML and Microsoft

14 Project Presentations FrontPage

15 Project Presentations(contd.)

16 Revision