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.