IT 231: IT and Applications (BBA) - Course Materials

Complete course materials for IT 231 IT and Applications (BBA) including syllabus notes, laboratory worksheets, practice questions, and presentation slides

40 Lecture Hours

8 Lab Hours

71 Chapter Notes

8 Lab Worksheets

4 Practice Sets

48 Slide Decks

IT 231: IT and Applications (BBA)

Credits: 3 Lecture Hours: 40 Lab Hours: 8 Total Hours: 48

Course Objectives

The main objective of this course is to provide students both theoretical and practical knowledge of basic concepts of computers, information technology, and their applications.

Course Description

This course covers different concepts computers, information technology and application specially focusing on introduction, use of IT in business, hardware, software, memory, input/output, database, networks and data communication, Internet, multimedia, computer security, and some contemporary technologies.

Course Details

Unit 1: Introduction to Computers (3 LHs)

Unit 2: Information Technology and Business (3 LHs)

Unit 3: Computer System Hardware (8 LHs)

Unit 4: Computer Software (4 LHs)

Unit 5: Data Communication and Computer Network (4 LHs)

Unit 6: Internet and Internet Services (4 LHs)

Unit 7: Multimedia and the Web (3 LHs)

Unit 8: Database and Database Management System (4 LHs)

Unit 9: Computer Security and Privacy (3 LHs)

Unit 10: Introduction to Contemporary Technologies (4 LHs)

Concept of Digital Marketing and Digital Economy
Concept of Data Warehousing and Data Mining, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Analytics, and Business Intelligence
Concept of Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, and IoT
Web 2.0, Web 3.0

Laboratory Works (8 LHs)

After completing this course students should have practical knowledge of:

Text Books

Morley, D., & Parker Charles S., Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, Comprehensive, 15th Edition, Cengage Learning, 2015.
Efraim Turban, Carol Pollard and Gregory Wood, Information Technology for Management, On-Demand Strategies for Performance, Growth and Sustainability, 11th Edition, Willey.

Reference Books

Peter Norton’s, Introduction to Computers, Tata McGraw-Hill
P K Sinha & Priti Sinha, Computer Fundamentals Concepts Systems and Applications, BPB Publications
V. Rajaraman, Fundamentals of Computers, PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.
James A O’Brien and George M. Marakas, Introduction to Information System, Fifteenth Edition, McGraw-Hill.

Unit 1: Introduction to Computers

1.1

Introduction to Computers | IT 231

Foundational introduction to computers: definition, characteristics, history, and digital vs. analog.

1.2

Components of a Computer System | IT 231

Understanding the fundamental components of a computer system: hardware, software, data, procedures, and people.

1.3

Generations of Computers | IT 231

The five generations of computers: from vacuum tubes to artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

1.4

Functions of a Computer | IT 231

The four primary functions of a computer: input, processing, output, and storage.

1.5

Classification of Computers by Size and Power | IT 231

Classification of computers: microcomputers, minicomputers, mainframes, and supercomputers.

1.6

Data and Program Representation in a Computer | IT 231

Explanation of binary system (bits/bytes), ASCII, and Unicode for data representation.

1.7

Applications of Computers in Modern Society | IT 231

Overview of computer applications in business, education, healthcare, entertainment, and government.

Unit 2: Information Technology and Business

2.1

Information Systems in Business | IT 231

IT versus IS, data versus information, the Information Age, the components of an information system, and how businesses use IS for strategic advantage.

2.2

Business in the Information Age | IT 231

Information Age overview: data as a strategic asset and the role of knowledge workers.

2.3

The Relationship Between Information Systems and Organization | IT 231

Mutual influence of Information Systems and Organizations: structure, culture, and processes.

2.7

The Role of IT for Business and Individuals | IT 231

Role and importance of IT for businesses and individuals: efficiency, decisions, reach, and convenience, plus negative impacts and Nepali examples.

Unit 3: Computer System Hardware

3.1

CPU, Memory, and Hardware Interconnections | IT 231

How the CPU, memory unit, and buses work together as the core of computer hardware, with the block diagram, instruction cycle, and factors that affect performance.

3.2

Inside a Computer: The Motherboard and its Components | IT 231

Inside the Computer Cabinet: Motherboard, CPU, RAM, and Expansion Slots.

3.3

The Computer Memory Hierarchy | IT 231

Computer Memory Hierarchy: Registers, Cache, RAM, and Storage trade-offs.

3.4

Types of Computer Memory (RAM and ROM) | IT 231

Understanding RAM and ROM: types, characteristics, and differences between volatile and non-volatile memory.

3.5

A Guide to Computer Storage Devices | IT 231

Secondary Storage: HDDs, SSDs, and Optical Drives explained.

3.6

How Computers Use Memory: The CPU and Memory Interaction | IT 231

CPU & Memory Interaction: Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle explained.

3.7

Input and Output Devices of a Computer | IT 231

Input and output devices explained: keyboards, pointing and scanning devices, OMR, MICR, barcode and biometric readers, monitors, printers, and business uses.

3.8

Understanding I/O Ports and Buses | IT 231

I/O Ports & System Bus: Connecting peripherals and internal components.

Unit 4: Computer Software

4.1

Introduction and Types of Software | IT 231

What software is, why hardware is useless without it, the main types and examples, and how software is licensed.

4.2

System Software vs. Application Software | IT 231

System vs Application Software: Functions and Examples explained.

4.3

How Software is Acquired: Build vs. Buy | IT 231

Software Acquisition: Build vs Buy, COTS, Custom, and SaaS options.

4.4

An Introduction to Programming Languages | IT 231

Programming Languages: High-level vs Low-level, Compilers vs Interpreters.

4.5

The Role of the Operating System (OS) | IT 231

Operating System Functions: Hardware management, GUI, and examples.

4.6

Utility Software and System Tools | IT 231

Understanding utility software: system maintenance, security, file management, and optimization tools.

4.7

New Trends in Software: AI, Cloud, and Low-Code | IT 231

Software Trends: AI, Cloud Computing, SaaS, and Low-Code.

Unit 5: Data Communication and Computer Network

5.1

Importance of Communication and Networking | IT 231

Why organizations network computers, the five components of data communication, and the benefits and risks of networking for business.

5.2

Data Communication Media and Transmission | IT 231 Course Notes

An overview of data communication media, including guided (wired) media like twisted-pair and fiber optic cables, and unguided (wireless) media. Also covers the basics of data transmission, including bandwidth and signals.

5.3

Networking Basics: Network Types and Topologies | IT 231 Notes

An introduction to the basics of computer networking, covering the main network types (LAN, WAN) and the common physical network topologies (Bus, Star, Ring).

5.4

Network Protocols and Hardware | IT 231 Course Notes

An overview of the essential protocols (TCP/IP, Ethernet) and hardware (switches, routers, modems) that make computer networking possible.

5.5

An Introduction to Wireless Networking | IT 231 Course Notes

Wireless networking basics: types of wireless networks (WPAN, WLAN, WMAN, WWAN), Wi-Fi components and standards, Bluetooth and NFC, wired vs wireless, and how to secure Wi-Fi with WPA2/WPA3.

Unit 6: Internet and Internet Services

6.1

History and Management of the Internet | IT 231

How the internet grew from research networks, who manages it, how it reached Nepal, and how it differs from the Web.

6.2

How to Connect to the Internet | IT 231 Course Notes

Ways to connect to the internet: dial-up, DSL, cable, fiber (FTTH), leased lines, Wi-Fi, cellular, and satellite, with the equipment needed, a comparison table, Nepali context, and how businesses choose a connection.

6.3

IP Addresses and the Domain Name System (DNS) | IT 231 Notes

An explanation of IP addresses, the unique identifiers for devices on the internet, and the Domain Name System (DNS), which translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses.

6.4

Understanding Client-Server Architecture | IT 231 Course Notes

An introduction to the client-server architecture, the fundamental model of the internet, explaining the roles of clients and servers and how they interact.

6.5

Key Internet Protocols: HTTP, Email, and FTP | IT 231 Notes

An overview of three fundamental internet application protocols: HTTP for the World Wide Web, the protocols for email (SMTP, POP3, IMAP), and FTP for file transfer.

6.6

The World Wide Web and Search Engines | IT 231 Course Notes

An introduction to the World Wide Web, its key components like web browsers and web servers, and the crucial role of search engines in navigating its vast amount of information.

6.9

Remote Login (TELNET) | IT 231 BBA Notes

Understanding TELNET and remote login: how it works, why it is insecure, how SSH replaced it, and modern remote access tools such as RDP and remote desktop apps.

6.10

Static and Dynamic Web Pages | IT 231 BBA Notes

Static vs dynamic web pages: how each is delivered, client-side vs server-side scripting, advantages and disadvantages, CMS and static site generators, and how to choose.

6.11

Intranet, Extranet, Censorship, and Privacy Issues | IT 231 BBA Notes

Organizational private networks (Intranet and Extranet) alongside key Internet societal issues: online privacy, censorship, and the digital divide.

6.12

E-Commerce, E-Governance, and Smart Cities | IT 231 BBA Notes

Internet application paradigms: Electronic Commerce business models, Electronic Governance service delivery, and IoT-driven Smart City infrastructure.

Unit 7: Multimedia and the Web

7.1

Elements of a Multimedia System | IT 231

Multimedia elements (text, graphics, sound, video, animation), linear vs interactive multimedia, raster vs vector graphics, and common image, audio, and video file formats for exams.

7.2

Web-Based Multimedia and Future Trends | IT 231 Notes

An overview of web-based multimedia and the future trends shaping the field, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and the metaverse.

7.3

Applications of Multimedia in Business | IT 231 Course Notes

How businesses use multimedia in training, marketing, sales, tourism, real estate, banking, and communication, with Nepali examples, tools, benefits, and limitations.

Unit 8: Database and Database Management System

8.1

An Introduction to Databases | IT 231

What a database is, why file systems fail at scale, the components and users of a database system, and the role of a DBMS.

8.2

Fundamental Data Concepts: From Characters to Databases | IT 231

Data Hierarchy: Character, Field, Record, File, Database explained.

8.3

Database vs. File System: Understanding the Difference | IT 231

Database vs File System: Redundancy, Consistency, and Centralization.

8.4

An Introduction to Database Models | IT 231 Course Notes

An overview of the different types of database models, including the hierarchical, network, and relational models, with a focus on the structure and importance of the relational model.

8.5

Database Management Systems (DBMS) Explained | IT 231 Notes

An introduction to the Database Management System (DBMS), the software that acts as an interface to a database, and its key functions like data definition, manipulation, and security.

8.6

Database Applications in Business | IT 231 BBA Notes

How organizations use databases in banking, retail, healthcare, education, government, and online services, with Nepali examples and the business value of each.

8.8

Database System Architectures | IT 231 BBA Notes

Database System Architectures: 1-tier, 2-tier, and 3-tier client-server designs, plus centralized and distributed databases, with business examples and a comparison table.

8.9

Cloud Database | IT 231 BBA Notes

Understanding Cloud Databases, Database-as-a-Service (DBaaS), cloud vs on-premises databases, and the benefits and risks of hosting business data in the cloud.

Unit 9: Computer Security and Privacy

9.1

Computer Security and Control | IT 231

CIA triad, threats, vulnerabilities and risk, types of security controls, and how this unit maps to access, crime, malware, ethics, and law.

9.2

Unauthorized Access and Protection | IT 231 Course Notes

An overview of the threat of unauthorized access to computer systems and the primary methods of protection, including authentication methods like passwords, biometrics, and two-factor authentication.

9.3

Computer Sabotage and Cybercrime | IT 231 Course Notes

Computer sabotage and cybercrime: types of perpetrators, forms of sabotage and computer crime, how to protect against them, and how cybercrime is handled in Nepal.

9.4

Software Piracy and Anti-Piracy Measures | IT 231 Course Notes

Software piracy and its types, why it harms users and businesses, and the technical, legal, and business measures used to prevent it, including licence keys, online activation, DRM, and subscriptions.

9.5

Understanding Malware: Viruses, Worms, and Trojans | IT 231 Notes

An overview of malware (malicious software), covering the main types including viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and ransomware, and how to protect against them.

9.6

Professionalism, Ethics, and Morality in IT | IT 231 BBA Notes

An introduction to professionalism, ethics, and morality, and their importance for business leaders and IT professionals.

9.7

Cyber Law, Digital Literacy, and Copyright | IT 231 BBA Notes

Cyber law, intellectual property, and digital literacy with specific focus on Nepal’s Electronic Transactions Act (ETA 2063) and Copyright Act.

9.8

Network Security: Firewalls and Encryption | IT 231 Course Notes

Network security fundamentals: types of firewalls, hardware vs software firewalls, symmetric and asymmetric encryption with a worked example, and how HTTPS and VPNs protect data in transit.

Unit 10: Introduction to Contemporary Technologies

10.1

Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Business and Society | IT 231

What AI is at course level, and how it affects jobs, firms, and everyday life in Nepal and globally.

10.2

Data Science, Machine Learning, and Neural Networks | IT 231 BBA Notes

Core concepts of Data Science, Machine Learning, and Neural Networks with practical applications in business management.

10.3

Cloud Computing, Virtualization, and Green Computing | IT 231 BBA Notes

Strategic IT infrastructure trends: Cloud Computing models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), server Virtualization, and environmentally sustainable Green Computing.

10.4

Big Data and Blockchain Technology | IT 231 BBA Notes

Strategic analysis of Big Data (the 5Vs) and Blockchain architecture, examining distributed ledgers and business transformation.

10.5

Social Media & Digital Marketing | IT 231

Introduction to social media and digital marketing channels such as SEO, content, social, email, and paid ads, with Nepali examples and key metrics.

10.6

The Internet of Things (IoT) | IT 231

Introduction to IoT: how connected devices and sensors work, business applications in Nepal, benefits, and privacy and security risks.

10.7

Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 | IT 231 BBA Notes

Explore the evolution of the World Wide Web from the read-only Web 1.0, to the interactive and social Web 2.0, and the decentralized Web 3.0.

10.8

Data Warehousing and Data Mining | IT 231 BBA Notes

An introduction to Data Warehousing and Data Mining, the processes used by businesses to store massive amounts of data and extract valuable insights.

10.9

Data Analytics | IT 231 BBA Notes

An introduction to Data Analytics: the four types, the analytics process, common tools, a worked example, business applications in Nepal, and challenges.

10.10

An Introduction to Business Intelligence (BI) | IT 231 BBA Notes

Business Intelligence (BI): how data flows from source systems through ETL and a data warehouse into dashboards, with KPIs, tools, benefits, challenges, and Nepali business examples.

10.11

Digital Economy | IT 231 BBA Notes

Understanding the Digital Economy — how the Internet, digital technologies, and data are reshaping commerce, trade, and value creation globally and in Nepal.

Eight lab contact hours with worksheets and matching slide decks.

0.1

Lab 1: Hardware Identification | IT 231 BBA

Identify cabinet components, ports, and input/output devices on a real PC.

0.2

Lab 2: DOS and Windows Operating System | IT 231 BBA

Use Windows GUI essentials and a short set of Command Prompt commands.

0.3

Lab 3: Word Processor | IT 231 BBA

Format a one-page business memo in Microsoft Word or a compatible word processor.

0.4

Lab 4: Spreadsheets — Formulas and Formatting | IT 231 BBA

Build a sales sheet with formulas and currency formatting (1 lab hour).

0.5

Lab 5: Spreadsheets — Charts and Business Sheets | IT 231 BBA

Add charts, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and a simple business dashboard sheet (1 lab hour).

0.6

Lab 6: PowerPoint Presentation | IT 231 BBA

Build a six-slide deck with a consistent theme, notes, and one simple animation (1 lab hour).

0.7

Lab 7: Database Management Systems (Access) | IT 231 BBA

Create two related tables, enter sample data, and run a simple query (1 lab hour).

0.8

Lab 8: Internet and Its Services | IT 231 BBA

Use browser, search, email concepts, and a safe download checklist (1 lab hour).

Practice sets written for this course.

Practice

Units 1–5 Practice Questions | IT 231 BBA

Original practice questions covering computer basics, IT in business, hardware, software, and data communication & networking. Aligned with TU BBA IT 231 syllabus.

📊 50 marks ⏱️ 2.5 hours

Practice

Units 6–10 Practice Questions | IT 231 BBA

Original practice questions covering Internet services, multimedia, database management systems (DBMS), security & cyber law, and contemporary technologies. Aligned with TU BBA IT 231 syllabus.

📊 50 marks ⏱️ 2.5 hours

Model

Model Question (BBA) | IT 231

Model question paper for BBA IT 231: IT and Applications covering all units.

📊 100 marks ⏱️ 3 hours

May - June 2023

May - June 2023 Questions | IT 231

Previous year question paper for BBA First Semester, IT 231: IT and Applications (May - June 2023).

📊 60 marks ⏱️ 3 Hours

Lecture decks (40 hours)