CODE 72381 ACADEMIC YEAR 2020/2021 CREDITS 6 cfu anno 1 INGEGNERIA MECCANICA 8784 (L-9) - LA SPEZIA SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR INF/01 LANGUAGE Italian TEACHING LOCATION LA SPEZIA SEMESTER 2° Semester TEACHING MATERIALS AULAWEB OVERVIEW This course sets the ground for using computers in technical and scientific fields. AIMS AND CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES After successfully attending the course, students will be able to: describe the architecture of a computer and understand some of its technical aspects using the main “office automation” sofware programs to build data tables, analyse data both graphically and analytically, and write a scientific or technical report; be proficient in the Mastlab software at an intermediate level; understand the basics of programming, and write simple programs of scientific or technical interest. TEACHING METHODS Lectures and guided computer exercises, to be performed with the aid of the Aulaweb platform. SYLLABUS/CONTENT Introduction to computer science - Motivations; algorithms; artificial languages Coding of information: integer numbers; real numbers; characters. Introduction to computers – Computer architecture: CPU, main memory and other memories, bus, input/output devices. Operating systems concepts – Virtual machines; structure of an O.S.; processes, scheduling and performances; user-level functions, user interface; compiled and interpreted programs; text editors. Introduction to programming with examples in Matlab: programming paradigms; abstraction methods; the fundamental constructs of procedural programming; fundamental algorithms and data structures. Personal productivity software: spreadsheet, word processor. REMARK: The distribution of individual topics, particularly those which are not propedeutic to others, might be different from the stated sequence, taking also into account the needs of the practical part. RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY Given the diversity of the topics, the course will mainly be based on teaching material (handouts, texts, programs) provided through Aulaweb. Suggestions about additional textbooks related to specific topics will be provided on request. TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD STEFANO ROVETTA Ricevimento: All lecture days after class (approx. 20 min). Upon prior agreement, at any other time. Exam Board STEFANO ROVETTA (President) FRANCESCO CRENNA PIETRO FANGHELLA FRANCESCO MASULLI (President Substitute) LESSONS Class schedule FOUNDATIONS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE EXAMS EXAM DESCRIPTION The final evaluation takes into account the attendance to lab exercises, a written test on theory, and a programming test. Exam schedule Data appello Orario Luogo Degree type Note 08/01/2021 09:30 LA SPEZIA Laboratorio 09/02/2021 09:30 LA SPEZIA Laboratorio 18/06/2021 09:30 LA SPEZIA Laboratorio 01/07/2021 09:30 LA SPEZIA Laboratorio 07/09/2021 09:30 LA SPEZIA Laboratorio FURTHER INFORMATION No formal prerequisites.