COMPUTER SCIENCE II (ATT)
Learning outcomes of the course unit
This second course of Informatics is conceived for a period, when the students are familiar with advanced medical competences, closer to the requirements of future professional activity. The focus of the course is on practical aspects of Informatics, with particular emphasis on archiving of data and searching of information in structured environments, namely database, as well as on the world wide web. The goal is to make the student aware of the problems and opportunities offered by digital archiving of data, like those of patients, and to increase their skill in searching and selecting health-related information on the web and in specialized repositories of scientific papers. It is foreseen a number of labs to familiarize the students with the applications available in the library.
Prerequisites
Course of Informatics scheduled at year 1
Course contents summary
The course is delivered both in class and in a lab (libray) equipped with PCs, where it is possible to use the applications licensed to the library.
Introduction to the Data Base
Functions and architecture of a database management system (DBMS)
Database design goals, conceptual models, formalisms for creation and use of a database
Searching of information
Organization of IP-based nets and client-server architectures
Integration between databse and WWW, creation of simple queries
Searching of information on the net and in structured health-related repositories
Applications
Examples of use of commercial software for the creation of small databases
Use of applications for searching health-related information and scientific papers
Examples
Organization of data of patients, medical databases.
Recommended readings
Power point presentations (handouts) used during the lessons, available on the web site of the course (mandatory)
Documents regarding searching of information, available on the web site of the course and in that of the library (mandatory)
For those willing to increase their competence (not required)
Book covering all the aspects of Informatics: D.Sciuto, G.Buonanno, W.Fornaciari, L.Mari, Introduzione ai sistemi informatici 2/ed, McGraw-Hill, Milano, Italia, Gennaio 2002, ISBN: 88 386 0898-9, Pagine 320.
Book really advanced and detailed on Web and database (only for those having good background in computer science): Paolo Atzeni, Stefano Ceri, Stefano Paraboschi, Riccardo Torlone. "Basi di dati – Modelli e Linguaggi di Interrogazione", McGraw-Hill Libri Italia, 2002.
Teaching methods
Teaching:
Class-based oral lessons and training in Labs (library) with PCs
Exam:
Written test
Teachers:
SSD INF/01 :Prof.William Fornaciari (Coordinator)
