COMPUTER SCIENCE
Learning outcomes of the course unit
Provide the student with a theoretical and practical knowledge of basic computer science on the technologies available today.
Course contents summary
Theory
Short account of historical evolution from the first inventions in the 1600s to the present
Introduction to computer science and the use of computers
General concepts on the operating principles
Functional analysis of the structure of a processor
Hardware: CPU Memory I/O devices
Binary system and Boolean operators
Information (text, numbers, images, sounds) and its digital representation
Software
Basic software and operating systems
Application software
Notes on programs and algorithms
Computer networks
Local networks and geographical networks
Internet and its applications
Functional classification of application programs
Presentation of application programs for processing texts, presentations, spreadsheets, programs
Use of the Internet network (navigation, electronic mail)
General concepts on the relationship between computer science and medicine
Introduction to computer security, legal references and general concepts, and a mention of the digital signature
Laboratory
Parts that make up the PC with its connectors
Access to the network and to an authentication system
Work with windows and recognize the various parts of a window on the desktop
Check the basic characteristics of the computer
Structure of folders/directories and file organization
Drawing tools and word processor
Use of the Intranet network (Printer and File server)
Components and types of printer and solving of printing problems
Use of the Internet network, navigating the Web
Collecting data from a URL address: Save, Copy, Download
Bookmarks and History
Search engines (search with Boolean operators or advanced search) and problems
The database directory and the image database in search engines
Recommended readings
Introduzione ai sistemi informatici
D. Sciuto, G. Buonanno, W. Fornaciari, L. Mari,
Mc Graw Hill, 2004
Lecture notes