LEARNING OUTCOMES

Provide the essential concepts and tools to use and program computers systems; promote an adequate synthesis between learning the basic concepts of computer science and their application in simple technical-scientific calculation programs of interest to Industrial Engineering.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student will acquire the following basic knowledge:

• logical and functional architecture of a computer
• structure, operation and characteristics of internal and external devices
• main standards
• information coding, encryption and security
• binary notation, integer and floating point
• computer networks and protocols
• operating system
• problem solving using algorithms

The student will acquire the following skills:

• use of a programming language for numerical and non numerical problems.

TEACHING METHODS

The calendar is published. Classes will start within 15 minutes of the scheduled time. Lessons are traditional (projection of transparencies and / or blackboard).

Hours on Monday are reserved for meetings the teacher and the teacher assistant, hence basically optional. In those hours, the student are helped to solve the programming exercises proposed, possibly as homework. The course theoretical arguments are presented in Tuesday and Thursday classes.

In Thursday programming exercises are proposed, inviting students to solve it yourself (at home or in the hours of Monday). In the next lesson the solutions are discussed.

Students are encouraged to install a software (C ++ compiler) for the execution of the exercises on their own computer (desktop, notebook, tablet). The computer needed is very modest performance, even pretty old. The threecommon operating systems are fine.

Students can use any C ++ compiler. CODE :: BLOCKS, free and available for Linux, OS X and Windows, is recommended. Students are encouraged to install CODE :: BLOCKS on a personal computer, portable or fixed, to solve homework exercises. In case of unavailability,  personal computers are available in the computer lab.

As part of the innovation learning project adopted by the Bachelor Course in Mechanical Engineering, novel tools will be used by students to allow for active learning. The goal is to increase students' skills via interactive, experience-based, learning methodologies (e-learning, teamwork, etc.) for enhanced student participation, using an advanced level of communication that will make the student more aware and autonomous.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course program is divided into four main parts:

• Introduction to computers: computers architecture, functions of the main components (CPU, primary and secondary memory, bus, input and output devices).
• Information encoding: binary coding, coding of the integers, real numbers, characters.
• Introduction to Programming in C ++: Algorithms, programs and programming languages, basic constructs (variables, constants, types, operators, assignment, conditions, loops), subroutines, complex types: arrays, structures.
• Systems: computer networks and security, basics of operating systems.

The course includes the development of programming exercises and homework.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The study material can be downloaded from Aulaweb and includes:

• The presentations shown during the lessons, and texts related to the blackboard lessons
• The materials relating to the exercises (will be available before and after each exercise).
• A collection of exercises and exam papers.

During the lessons more in-depth material available directly over the network are eventually indicated .

For the programming part it is not necessary to purchase a textbook. Those interested in doing so can seek advice from the teacher or the assistant teacher.