INTRODUCTION TO CODING

This course aims to give an overview of the fundamentals and techniques at the base of computational systems.
The main purpose of the course is to introduce students to computational thinking, solving a variety of problems through simple programs developed in Python, a popular high-level programming language.

The course is important and relevant for all students who want to deepen or reinforce the most important basis of computer science and programming, thus getting some basic skills in the field of computer science.

Knowledge and understanding:

- Knowing and understanding the representation of information in computer systems
- Knowing the main components of a computer and their basic operation
- Knowing the principles of structured programming (variables, assignments, conditionals, loops, functions, basic I/O, etc.)
- Knowing and understanding the data types of languages and their manipulation
- Knowing the notion of algorithm with examples

Applying knowledge and understanding:

- Ability to realize simple Python programs for data manipulation
- Ability to debug a simple Python program

Basic logical/mathematical skills (ordering, means, logical operators)

Computer fundamentals:
- How computers store and transmit data
- How computer hardware and software operate on data
- How humans use computers to solve problems

The main topics include the notion of computation, problem solving and algorithms, the Python language, simple algorithms and data structures, testing and debugging software.

Finally, some topics regarding history of computer science, and social/ethic issues in computing.

- "Think Python. How to Think Like a Computer Scientist (2e)".
Allen Downey. Green Tea Press (available online).

- Online resources

- Lecture notes

The exam consists of a project and an oral interview. The project is aimed at verifying the problem solving skills. The oral interview includes the discussion of the project as well as an assessment of the theoretical notions of the course.

Evaluation:
- 25% project evaluation
- 25% discussion of the project
- 25% coding exercises
- 25% theoretical knowledges

written and oral

A. Scores in the 18-22 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- Sufficient knowledge and ability to structure the project;
- Limited ability to justify implementation choices;
- Sufficient communication skills, especially in relation to the use of course-specific language.

B. Scores in the 23-26 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- Fair knowledge and ability to structure the project;
- Fair ability to collect and/or interpret data, proposing effective implementation solutions;
- Fair communication skills, especially in relation to the use of course-specific language.

C. Scores in the 27-30 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- Good or excellent knowledge and ability to structure the project;
- Good or excellent ability to collect and/or interpret data, proposing innovative implementation solutions;
- Fully appropriate communication skills, especially in relation to the use of course-specific language.

D. Lode will be awarded in the presence of excellent knowledge and applied understanding of the program, judgment skills, and communication abilities.

Theoretical and practical lectures.
Exercise lectures.