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89988 - Elements of Informatics (6 CFU)

Academic Year 2024/2025

                
                        Docente:
                        Mauro Gaspari
                    
                        Credits:
                        6
                    
                        SSD:
                        INF/01
                    
                        Language:
                        Italian
                    
                        Moduli:
                        
                            Mauro Gaspari
                            (Modulo 1)
                        
                            Michele Ennio Maria Moresco
                            (Modulo 2)
                        
                        Teaching Mode:
                        
                                    Traditional lectures (Modulo 1)
                                
                                    Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
                                
                            Campus:
                            Bologna
                        
                            Corso:
                            First cycle degree programme (L) in
                            Astronomy (cod. 8004)

                            Online Lessons
                        
                            Teaching resources on Virtuale
                        
                                        Course Timetable
                                    
from Sep 23, 2024 to Dec 18, 2024

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has a basic understanding of computational tools and terminology. He is able to: - use programming languages to write small scale programs; - understand programs written by others; - map simple physical problems into computational solutions.

Course contents

Module 1:

Computational tools and problem solving. Declarative and Imperative knowledge. High level programming languages and tools. Interpreters and Compilers. The role of debugging.
Scripting Languages. The Python interpreter. Computer programming in Python.
Variables expressions, and statements; signed number representation and the approach of Python. Functions, conditionals and recursion; Iteration; Data types; Tables; Exporting data in csv files; spreadsheet creation; Python built-in data types and basic
Object Oriented Programming concepts and notation.

Module 2:

Python modules focusing on graphical and scientific/numerical ones; Analysis and browsing of data catalogs using different formats (ascii, fits); Sample selection and correlation analysis; Statistical methods for data modelling; solving astronomical problems.

Readings/Bibliography

How to Think Like a Computer Scientist: Learning with Python, di Allen Downey, Jeff Elkner e Chris Meyers. Gree Tea Press (disponibile in rete: https://media.readthedocs.org/pdf/howtothink/latest/howtothink.pdf).

Teaching methods

lectures and class exercises.

Considering the teaching methods adopted for this activity, passing modules 1 and 2 of our security courses available at [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas] is mandatory for attending the lectures.

Assessment methods

Written test (one to three programming exercises in Python), and discussion of a project.

Teaching tools

whiteboard + video projector + laptop

Office hours

See the website of Mauro Gaspari

See the website of Michele Ennio Maria Moresco

SDGs

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.