SCIENZE PROPEDEUTICHEModule INFORMATICA
Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher: ROBERTA AVANZATOExpected Learning Outcomes
The Computer Science program covers topics relevant to obtaining the European Computer Driving License (ECDL), an internationally recognized qualification designed to provide students with the skills to use a computer safely and effectively. Further in-depth study is provided in the digital audio signal processing and information security management. This course can help improve the understanding and efficient use of computers and tools for audio signal analysis.
Course Structure
Lectures with support from slides provided by the instructor and practical exercises in laboratories to assess the skills acquired in the use of key software.
Required Prerequisites
No prerequisites required.
Attendance of Lessons
70% of the total hours.
Detailed Course Content
- Introduction to Informatics: This introductory module provides a general overview of Informatics as a discipline, covering basic concepts, the history, and the evolution of Informatics.
- Overview of Informatics in Medicine: This section of the course focuses on the application of informatics in the field of medicine, highlighting how computer technology has transformed medical practice and healthcare data management.
- Data Encoding and Representation: In this module, various techniques for data encoding and representation are examined, including the fundamentals of binary data representation.
- Architecture and Components of a Processing System: This part of the course deals with the basic architecture of a processing system, including its hardware and software components.
- Operating System and Software Applications: Here, operating systems and application software are studied, with a particular focus on system management and common applications.
- Problem Concept and Algorithm: This section explains the concept of problems in computer science and how algorithms are used to solve them.
- Principles of Structured Programming: The fundamental principles of structured programming, which involve writing organized and readable code, are introduced.
- Methodology and Documentation: This part covers the importance of documenting computer work and follows an effective methodology in software development.
- Microsoft Tools (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint): Basic skills in using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint software are provided, widely used for document creation, spreadsheet management, and presentations.
- Computer Networks and the Internet: This module examines computer networks and the functioning of the Internet, including communication protocols and network technologies
- Internet's Features and Key Characteristics: This section of the course focuses on the features and key characteristics of the Internet, including online services and resources available on the network
- Network Security: It covers computer security issues and measures to protect data and systems in a networked environment
- Laboratory: Audio Signal Analysis Software - This practical laboratory focuses on the use of software for audio signal analysis, providing hands-on skills in audio manipulation and processing.
Textbook Information
- Luca Mari, Giacomo Buonanno, Donatella Sciuto, Informatica e cultura dell'informazione, McGraw-Hill Seconda edizione
- Giuseppe Chiavola ECDL Guida all’esame per la patente del computer
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | All points | Teacher slides |
| 2 | Point: 1,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | Luca Mari, Giacomo Buonanno, Donatella Sciuto, Informatica e cultura dell'informazione, McGraw-Hill Seconda edizione |
| 3 | Point: 1,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | Giuseppe Chiavola ECDL Guida all’esame per la patente del computer |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Written Test: 10 multiple-choice questions and 3 open-ended questions.
Oral Exam (optional).
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
1. How many bits is a byte composed of?
- 2
- 8
- 1
2. The file manager
- Manages the storage and retrieval of data from mass storage devices.
- Manages the storage and retrieval of data from main memory.
- Manages data transfer between the CPU and input/output peripherals.
4. If in an Excel worksheet, cell B11 is equal to IF(SUM(B5:B10)<100,"YES","NO"), it means that:
- If the sum of the values in cell B5 and cell B10 is less than 100, cell B11 will take the value "NO."
- If the sum of the values in cell B5 and cell B10 is less than 100, cell B11 will take the value "YES."
- If the sum of the values from cell B5 to cell B10 is less than 100, cell B11 will take the value "YES."
5. Describe the Analog-to-Digital conversion.
6. Describe the TCP/IP protocol.