COMPUTING SKILLS FOR ECONOMICS

The course is one of the activities of the degree course in Economics that allows students to improve knowledge for data management through ad-hoc software and for reporting.
The aim of the course is to provide the basic informatic knowledge in order to let students develop the skills to structure, process, analyse data, disclose information using informatic tools.
To this goal the students will be introduced to R software and reporting techniques.

Frontal lectures and laboratory will allow students:

1. Knowledge and understanding
1.1 To know the basic computer terminology for both the hardware and software
1.2 To to recognize the logical-formal structure of a problem

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
2.1 To use basic terminology correctly
2.2 To formalize a problem by constructing a suitable algorithm
2.3 To use dedicated software for the analysis of economic-business data

3. Making judgements
3.1 To apply the computerized procedures during the economic decision process.

Fulfillment of OFAs (Additional Learning Requirements) according to https://www.unive.it/web/en/4347/exams . Students must know the fundamental of Mathematics even without passing the exam.

Part I
- Computer
- Von Neuman Architecture
- Computer hardware
- Computer software
- Introduction to Boolean Algebras and binary language

Part II
- From problems to solutions
- Defining the problem and identification of variables
- Encoding of a problem in pseudo-code
- Conditional expressions
- Iterative structures ("for" and "while")
- Implementation of a pseudo code

Part III
- Introduction to the use of spreadsheets and the R language
- The tabular representation of one or more collected variables
- Graphical representation of data sets and reporting.

Dal problema alla soluzione. Guida pratica per principianti alla programmazione in R (2024), F. Parpinel, C. Pizzi Giappichelli Editore.

Notes of the teacher downloadable from the university e-learning platform Moodle.

The course includes an assessment of learning through a written examination.
The final exam consists of two written tests administered via the Moodle platform, both carried out consecutively on the same date:
- The first part consists of a set of approximately 12 questions (about 15 minutes) on specific theoretical and practical topics from the syllabus, aimed at verifying whether the student has acquired the relevant concepts. The maximum score for this section is 15 points, which corresponds
to the sum of the individual question scores (each worth 1 or 2 points). In case of an incorrect answer, a penalty equal to one third of the question's value is applied.
- The second part consists of two exercises involving the design and development of a program using the R programming language (about 40 minutes). This section is intended to assess whether the student is capable of tackling simple real-world problems and solving them by creating a working program.
The score for this part ranges from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 16 points.

written

Assessment Grid:
A. Scores from 18 to 21 will be assigned if the student demonstrates basic knowledge of coding and of the structure of a computer.
B. Scores from 22 to 26 will be assigned if the student is able to prepare a program in R that solves elementary problems using sequential, conditional, and iterative structures and has adequate knowledge of the structure of a computer.
C. Scores from 27 to 30 will be assigned if the student is able to prepare a program in R that solves problems requiring complex sequential, conditional, and iterative structures and has good knowledge of the structure of a computer.
D. Lode will be assigned if the student demonstrates the ability to accurately solve all the problems proposed in the exercises and answers all multiple-choice questions correctly.

The course consists of frontal lessons, using R software and teaching modules available on the moodle.unive.it e-learning platform.
Students must register for the moodle platform and computer will be required during the lessons.
During the lesson period, the student is encouraged to complete some exercises and self-assessment tests available on the e-learning platform.
This activity is not mandatory to access the exam.

The proper use of the university e-learning platform is required

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion
Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments

Ca' Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.