37685 - Computational Tools

Learning outcomes

This course provides students with basic information technology notions, including: the use of a computer connected to the internet, spreadsheets, the Web and firm information systems. Considering both proprietary and open source technologies. At the end of the course, students are expected to have a basic skill for: (a) using personal computers and spreadsheets; (b) using the Web, search engines and communication mechanisms; (c) using firm information systems.

Course contents

Basics of spreadsheets (functions, pivoting, vertical lookup, primary keys).

MS Access tables, queries and macros.

MS Excel Power Pivot and Power BI advanced techniques.

Proprietary and open source technologies.

Overview of firms IT systems.

Readings/Bibliography

Turban, Volonino, Wood / Information Technology for Management - international students version, Wiley, 2015 (10th edition).

Collie, Singh / Power Pivot and Power BI: The Excel User's Guide to DAX, Power Query, Power BI & Power Pivot in Excel 2010-2016, 2016 (2nd edition).

Jelen, Alexander / Pivot Table Data Crunching Excel 2016, Que Publishing, 2015 (2nd edition).

Teaching methods

Lectures and practical applications in laboratory.

Important note: up to 20 Erasmus students can be accepted, the criteria will be "first come, first served".

Assessment methods

Practical test at the PC on MS Excel Power Pivot / MS Power BI, MS Access queries and Excel Pivots and VLOOKUP, plus a few theory open questions.

The course mark is numeric (from 0 to 30), numeric marks correspond to the following grades:

<18 insufficient
18-23 sufficient
24-27 good
28-30 very good
30 cum laude excellent

Teaching tools

Blackboard, slides, practical applications in laboratory.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Bergamaschi