12355 - Basic Computer Science

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course students will have a basic knowledge of computer science, having learned the working principles of software systems, and understanding the technical lexis of the subject. The student will also grasp the fundamental concepts involved in designing and implementing multimedia systems, especially in the World Wide Web environment.

Course contents

Meaning and implications of the term digital

The computer: nature, function, naming

Machine language and logic

Coding and computational thinking

The algorithm and software

Properties of algorithms

Algorithm representation languages

Key concepts of computability
Programming languages

Data structures

Applications of computer science to the humanities

Electronic archives and databases

Database management systems in historical research and their use by historians

Internet and the World Wide Web
Architecture and standards for the Web

Content on the Web

Representation, dissemination, search and preservation of digital resources on the Web

Open archives

Digital libraries

University of Bologna digital resources

Disruptive technologies

Artificial intelligence Blockchain and NFT

The Metaverse and the technologies it uses (augmented reality, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things).

Readings/Bibliography

Indications on texts to be used for exam preparation will be given at the beginning of the course and published on the teaching web page on the VIRTUAL University platform.
Teaching materials in Italian language made available by the lecturer on the VIRTUAL platform of the University.

Teaching methods

Teaching will be conducted in presence (classroom and computer lab lectures).

Assessment methods

The examination consists of an aptitude test. This means that no marks are awarded, only the qualification ‘suitable’ or ‘unsuitable’.

The aptitude test consists of a written test in the form of a questionnaire with multiple-choice questions, multiple-choice questions, true or false statements, open-ended answers, word association, personalised questions and/or possible exercises to be completed.

The test will cover theoretical topics and the use of the software tools indicated in the course syllabus to ascertain the basic knowledge and skills acquired.

The time allowed for the test is forty minutes. The test will be passed by answering exactly 75% of the 36 questions on the questionnaire and correctly carrying out any proposed exercises.

Disability and DSA
Students who have registered their disability certification or DSA certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office may ask to use concept maps (for key words) during the exam.

To this end, the maps must be sent, two weeks before the exam call, to the course lecturer or teacher, who will check their consistency with the indications of the university guidelines and may ask for them to be modified.

Teaching tools

At the beginning of the course, a cognitive survey will be conducted on the training and basic computer knowledge/skills possessed by the students by means of a questionnaire with mulipla, true/false, short answer and open answer type questions. This cognitive survey will enable the lecturer to calibrate the lessons in order to homogenize students' skills and fully ensure the teaching effectiveness of the course. Monitoring of learning at the conclusion of each topic covered in class with questionnaires to direct, modify, make the learning process more effective. Online collaborative teaching tools to supplement traditional classroom teaching activities : Moodle platform, forum, chat, web conference wiki. Fruition of content (textual and multimedia learning materials, videos, exercises) available on the delivery platform Online teaching to registered students. Online teaching resources : sitography

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Russo