LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides the basic knowledge of computer science and programming. It describes the representation of the information and an overview of computers and data networks, with particular reference to Internet and the Web. The course also provides an ability to write simple programs useful in the area of ​​logic and mathematics.

LEARNING OUTCOMES (FURTHER INFO)

The students should learn basic elements of computer science, and understand the role of information technology and the variety of its application areas in the present society. The practical goal is to assure that all the students have basic skills for using personal computer and software environment in their studies and programming fundamentals. The course gives the basic knowledge after which students should be able to practice and learn more about the systems independently and eventually on other courses.

About 50% of the course is based on learning a widespread programming language (C) and on programming activities carried out directly from the students. The activities are based on problem definition and solving, program writing and debugging.

TEACHING METHODS

The course is articulated in theoretical lessons and classroom programming exercises. The lectures deal mainly the part related to the architecture and operation of the computer and the Internet; exercises are an integral part of the course: they provide for understanding and writing simple programs and their debugging with the teacher's assistance.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course relates to the principal topics of the IT area: application of computers, structure (CPU, I/O, memory), instructions, programming code, data structures; from assembler to high level languages;

Compilers, Operating systems, commercial programs and user developed programs. Logical requirements, logical functions, 2 level (and-or) function modeling. Data communication, serial and parallel, local and geographical networks. Relation between band and speed. Analogic and digital channels.

Networks, protocols, protocol layering; IP, UDP, TCP, reliability, flow control, error detection and security (RSA example); wireless networks; multimedia networking; network security and security management. Architectures and Internet in the future.

C language programming.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All readings and programming support are available on the DICCA Aulaweb pages.