COMPUTER SCIENCE
Learning outcomes of the course unit
The intention of the course is to give students a general introduction to computer science and to the use of computers, and also to provide practical knowledge on some of the most widespread computer tools as aids to personal productivity.
Course contents summary
Historical evolution and description of the various types of computer. What a personal computer (PC) consists of: subdivision between Hardware and Software.
The Von Neumann machine. Representation of information. Binary notation system.
Main components of a PC: processor, memory, hard disk, etc. What an operating system is. Use of Windows operating systems.
Management of system files. How to structure your data within a computer.
What a digital image is. Bitmap and vector images.
Operating principles of the Internet network. Electronic mail and the World Wide Web. Use and management of office automation programs for generating text documents, spreadsheets, presentations and databases.
LABORATORY EXERCISES
The course includes laboratory exercises on the use of a personal computer with Windows operating systems, use of internet and office automation products.
Recommended readings
Stacey C. Sawyer, Brian K. Williams - Tecnologie dell'informazione e della comunicazione - McGraw-Hill
Ugo Eccli, Emanuele Maffia - OpenOffice.org guida completa - Apogeo
