84888 - Acquisition of Computer Skills and Biostatistics Skills

Learning outcomes

Capacità Informatiche:
At the end of the course the student knows some basic computer elements, the usage of spreadsheets to analyse experimental data and to make histograms and plots, and the usage of databases. He possesses sufficient knowledge to use basic informatics tools to organize her/his work and to handle laboratory activities.
Biostatistica:
At the end of the course the student will acquired the knowledge of the basic elements that will allow him to understand and use the fundamental methods for the statistical analysis of experimental results. This will be functional to the understanding of a part of the disciplines in which the Degree Course is articulated. At the end of the course the student acquires the knowledge for an autonomous and correct use of the data in the field of life sciences.

Course contents

Capacità Informatiche:

Introduction to information technology, hardware, software, software licenses. History of telecommunications, analogue and digital quantities, generations of mobile telephony. Internet origins, Internet browsing. Personal Computer (PC) and its components, Moore's law. PC performance, overview of PC interfaces, PC storage drives (HDD and SSD), optical disks, network disks, the cloud, different technologies and main features of PC monitors. Network interfaces (ethernet, wi-fi, bluetooth), Cybersecurity, ISP and its responsibilities, main Internet crimes. Connectivity: direct, dial-up, ADSL, optical fibers, WiMAX, satellite. Network classification, GARR, EDUROAM, ipv4/ipv6 Internet addresses. Static, dynamic, public and private IPs. DHCP. Domains and DNS. Main network devices (ADSL modem, hub, switch, bridge, router). Main network services (gateway, DNS, NAT). Search engines, operating principles and examples. Deep web, dark web. Web directories. The metasearch engines, characteristics and examples. Principles of operation of a Search Engine Optimization.
Spreadsheet: inserting formulas, some important functions, groups of cells, graphs, changes to graphs, data types, formats, searches, autofills, lists, sorts, IF function and other logic functions, 3D graphs, filters, printing, macro.

Biostatistica:
Descriptive statistics: grouping data, frequency distributions, central trend indices and dispersion indices 
Probability calculation: axiomatic definition of probability and related theorems. denpendent and independent events. Conditional probability. 
Random variables: probability function, distribution and density function, standardized random variable, normal distribution (Gaussian), standard normal distribution, use of tables for the calculation of the area under the normal distribution.
Inferential statistics: distribution of sample means, central limit theorem, confidence intervals, hypothesis tests: Student test (paired data and independent groups)
Regression and linear correlation: Pearson linear correlation, linear regression, r2 for the effect size

Readings/Bibliography

Capacità Informatiche:

https://virtuale.unibo.it/course/view.php?id=25692#section-3

Dennis P. Curtin ed altri, Informatica di base, Mc Graw Hill

Biostatistica:
The teacher will make available all the material presented in class.
To integrate the text is recommended:
Elementi di statistica medica, P. B. Lantieri, D. Risso, G. Ravera, Mc Graw Hill

Teaching methods

Capacità Informatiche:
Introductory lessons to individual modules, e-mail and faq, self learning on the web.
Biostatistica:
Frontal lessons with slide support and, if necessary, a blackboard for mathematical explanations

Assessment methods

Capacità Informatiche:
The qualifying examination consists of 30 multiple choice tests to be completed in 30 minutes. The tests regard all the course contents. The qualification is obtained passing at least 16 tests.

Biostatistica:
The exam consists of a written test with 19 questions divided as follows:
10 multiple choice theory questions with 4 answers, of which only one is correct. (1 point for each correct answer)
5 short multiple choice exercises with 4 answers of which only one correct (2 points for each correct answer)
3 exercises to be performed (4 points for each exercise)
The sum of the points will be 32 and the exam will be considered passed with a minimum of 18 points.

Teaching tools

Capacità informatiche
PC and videoprojector for the lectures, individual PCs available for selftraining (the unibo elearning environment will be used). The sections comprising the course are available through the UNIBO e-learning service (https://iol.unibo.it/course/view.php?id=40991) upon registration, as it will be explained during the first lecture.
Biostatistica:
Exercises in the classroom with application of the concepts treated

Office hours

See the website of Tiziano Rovelli

See the website of Emil Malucelli