Program Overview

FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

Overview

The course introduces algorithmic problem solving using the computer and a programming language as a practical tool for the creation of algorithms.

Aims and Content

Learning Outcomes

The objective of the course is to introduce the student to the fundamental concepts relating to computers and their programming. The course will provide knowledge on the organization of a processing architecture, on the structure of the main application programs, and on programming in the Python language, with reference to the main types of data and programming constructs. As part of the teaching, the student will acquire the skills to create simple applications using the Python language, the ability to empirically evaluate their performance and to choose the best data structures, among those available in the language, to perform certain tasks.

Aims and Learning Outcomes

• Ability to understand the functioning of a computer and its main components.
• Ability to understand the functioning of an operating system and its main components
• Ability to develop simple applications with the Python language

Prerequisites

No specific prerequisite is required.

Teaching Methods

Lectures and computer-assisted exercises (possibly online). Students with special needs are welcome to see the teacher in order to agree upon the best way to follow the course. Working students follow the syllabus, but they can contact the teacher should they need certificates in order to get leave of absence.

Syllabus/Content

• The Computer: structure and functionality of the main components
• The Operating System: structure and functionality of the main components
• Programming: from algorithms to code
• The Python language: variables and memory management; numerical and textual expressions; logical expressions; control structures: conditional choice, iteration, procedures and functions; predefined data structures: lists, sets, dictionaries; use of file and console I / O.

Recommended Reading/Bibliography

Tony Gaddis - Introduzione a Python (5a edizione) - Pearson

Teachers and Exam Board

• ARMANDO TACCHELLA

Exam Board

• ARMANDO TACCHELLA (President)
• FABIO ROLI
• PIERGIORGIO BERTOLI (President Substitute)

Lessons

Lessons Start

The timetable for this course is available here.

Exams

Exam Description

Computer based programming test using Python

Assessment Methods

Ability to develop a Python application that reads data from a text file, reprocesses it and produces a desired output.

Exam Schedule

• 13/02/2026 | 13:00 | GENOVA | Scritto
• 12/06/2026 | 13:00 | GENOVA | Scritto
• 10/07/2026 | 13:00 | GENOVA | Scritto
• 17/09/2026 | 13:00 | GENOVA | Scritto

Further Information

Please ask the teacher for further information that you may not find here.

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