VNUHCM-UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE

FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

COURSE SYLLABUS
CTT – Introduction to Information Technology

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Course name: Introduction to Information Technology

Course name (in Vietnamese): Nhập môn Công nghệ Thông tin
Course ID: CTT

Knowledge block: Fundamental Education

Number of credits: 4

Credit hours for theory: 45

Credit hours for practice: 30

Credit hours for self-study: 90

Prerequisite: None

Prior-course: None
Instructors:

2. COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course will give students an overview of the history of the development and formation of
the Information Technology (IT). In addition, general knowledge includes basic knowledge of
counting systems, computer architecture, operating systems, computer networks, and
computer safety are lectured. Students grasp the roles of software development, database
systems. Some trends that are becoming popular such as artificial intelligence, natural
language processing, image processing, etc. are introduced. The course also helps students
orient their study and career orientation through the introduction of majors and careers.
Furthermore, the course equips students with the skills (such as teamwork, critical thinking,
and creative thinking) and professional ethics necessary to work and communicate in the
learning environment and in the company later.

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 VNUHCM-UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE
FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

3. COURSE GOALS

At the end of the course, students are able to

ID Description Program LOs

G1 Work at an individual and team level to implement and

present some topics related to the general knowledge,
career orientation. Demonstrate critical thinking and
creative thinking in the process of implementing topics.

G2 Present the meaning, role, current status of hardware

devices, software. Apply software, technology platforms
to collaborate, present, share and backup data.

G3 Explain the data storage platform in a computer and

describe roles of database and database administration
system.

G4 Identify the role of the operating system, the development

process, and distinguish different types of operating
systems.

G5 Present basic knowledge about computer networks,

internet, network protocols, devices, connection issues
and security issues.

G6 Summarize the main characteristics of artificial

intelligence and related fields and describe some
emerging technologies.

G7 List some important rules and regulations in the

university environment and in the company environment.
Explain some characteristics of professional ethics.

4. COURSE OUTCOMES

CO Description I/T/U

G1.1 Organize, operate and manage team in teamwork. T

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 VNUHCM-UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE
FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

G1.2 Propose ideas, analysis and discuss these ideas. T

G1.3 Present the topic in class and make a report. T

G2.1 Present the meaning, role, current status of hardware devices, T

software.

G2.2 Apply software, technology platforms to collaborate, present, T

share and backup data.

G3.1 Explain the data storage platform in a computer. T

G3.2 Describe roles of database and database administration system T

G4.1 Identify the role of the operating system, the development T

process, and distinguish different types of operating systems.

G5.1 Present basic knowledge about computer networks, internet, T

network protocols.

G5.2 List devices, connection issues and security issues. T

G6.1 Summarize the main characteristics of artificial intelligence T

and related fields.

G6.2 Describe some emerging technologies. T

G7.1 List some important rules and regulations in the university I

environment and in the company environment.

G7.2 Explain some characteristics of professional ethics. T

5. TEACHING PLAN

ID Topic Course Teaching/Learning

outcomes Activities (samples)

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 VNUHCM-UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE
FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

1 Introduce an overview of the G2.1 Lecturing

development process, the role of IT in Q&A, Group discussion
life.
Learn about computer classification, the
basic architecture of a computer.
Introduce the characteristics and role of
software in the computer.

2 Introduce basic hardware devices such as G2.1 Lecturing

ports, circuits to peripheral devices such Demonstration
as RAM, hard drives, ... in computers. QZ1: Quiz 1
Identify the characteristics, roles and
HW1: Homework 1
meanings of each device and how they
work together.
3 Principle of storing information in G2.2 Lecturing
computers such as number (integer and QZ2: Quiz 2
floating point), text, images, sounds, ... Demonstration, discussion
Basic operations on the counting system.
4 How the CPU executes a low-level G3.1 Lecturing
program. How the CPU works with other QZ3: Quiz 3
devices to make a request.
The relationship between low-level
languages and high-level programming
languages.
5 Operating system (OS): characteristics, G4.1 Lecturing
roles, and development process on all HW2: Homework 2
computer platforms. The basic
architecture and components of the
operating system.
6 Computer network: transmission G5.1, G5.2 Lecturing
principles, connection protocols, network

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 VNUHCM-UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE
FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

types, security. Supported devices and Demonstration

software. HW3: Homework 3
Computer security such as how to attack
and how to protect the computer.
7 Database system: roles, meanings, G3.2 Lecturing
applications. Database management Demonstration
systems.
8 Introduction to artificial intelligence, G6.1 Lecturing
machine learning, and applications. Discussion
9 Emerging technologies: G6.2 Lecturing,
- Virtual reality technology Demonstration
- Augmented reality technology
- Cloud computing technology
- Distributed technology
- Network security technology
- Blockchain technology

10 Professional ethics such as copyright laws, G7.1, G7.2, Case study, discussion
privacy and legal documents related to IT. G7.3
Rules and regulations in university and
company.

11 Project Seminar Presentation

Project PR1

For the practical laboratory work, there are 10 weeks which cover similar topics as it goes in
the theory class. Each week, teaching assistants will explain and demonstrate key ideas on the
corresponding topic and ask students to do their lab exercises either on computer in the lab or
at home. All the lab work submitted will be graded. There would be a final exam for lab work.

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 VNUHCM-UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE
FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

6. ASSESSMENTS

ID Topic Description Course Ratio (%)

outcomes

A1 Assignments 40%

A11 Quizzes: QZ1, QZ2 and Small quizzes in class for G2.1, G2.2, 5%
QZ3. each topic G3.1

A12 Homework: HW1, HW2, HW1, HW3: reading G2.1, G2.2, 5%

and HW3. comprehension and writing G3.1, G4.1,
reports in English G5.1, G5.2

A13 Weekly labwork: LW1– Weekly labs G2.1, G2.2, 30%

LW10 G3.1, G3.2,
G4.1, G5.1,
G5.2, G6.2

A2 Projects 20%

A21 Project: PR1 Research on some G1.1, G1.2, 20%

technologies. G1.3, G6.2

A3 Exams 40%
A31 Final exam Closed book exam. G2.1, G2.2, 40%
Describe the understanding of G3.1, G3.2,
different topics. G4.1, G5.1,
G5.2, G6.1,
G6.2 , G7.1,
G7.2

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 VNUHCM-UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE
FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

7. RESOURCES

Textbooks
• Computer science: reflection on the field , reflections from the field, Committee on the
Fundamentals of Computer Science, National Academies Press, 2004.
• Computer science: an overview, Gleen Brookshear, Dennis Brylow, 12th edition, 2014
• Computers are your future, Introductory, Catherine Laberta, 12th Edition, 2011
• Ethics for the Information Age, Mike Quinn, 7th Edition, 2016.
8. GENERAL REGULATIONS & POLICIES

• All students are responsible for reading and following strictly the regulations and
policies of the school and university.
• Students who are absent for more than 3 theory sessions are not allowed to take the
exams.
• For any kind of cheating and plagiarism, students will be graded 0 for the course. The
incident is then submitted to the school and university for further review.
• Students are encouraged to form study groups to discuss on the topics. However,
individual work must be done and submitted on your own.

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