57828 - Informatics

Learning outcomes

Objectives: At the end of the course the student is able to: know the fundamental components of a calculation tool (control unit, calculation unit, peripherals, memory, etc.) 2. Know the fundamental elements of the operating system (in particular how windows is organized) 3. Knowing and knowing how to use the main application programs, in particular word processing, spreadsheets, database processing. 4. Knowing how to solve problems through the use of some available software 5. Knowing the structure and knowing how to use the World Wide Web.

Course contents

General application of information technology in the biomedical field. Health information systems and constituent elements (Organizational, Application and Technological). General, functional and applicative characteristics of electronic computers: architecture of computers and description of functional blocks (CPU, RAM, ROM, I / O system, BUS). Peripherals of processing systems, communication ports, mass memories, input / output devices and interfacing systems. Architecture of microcontrollers (Arduino, PIC, etc.) and sensor analysis (Temperature, gas, pH, etc.) for fixed or robotic environmental data detection systems. Internetworking and network and distributed processing architectures (client server and pear to pear). Introduction to operating systems (stand-alone, network, single-user / single-task and multi-user / multitasking) user interface description. Functional categories of applications for data processing, flow charts and block diagrams of the data processing process (Input, Editing, Output). Proprietary and Open Source software. Data processing and support and service software applications and primary processing (text, numerics, graphics, etc.). Data representation models and programming algorithms. Flow charts, programming languages and serial sequences for processing. data. Simulation software for microcontrollers and programming interface. Databases: Generalities and design methodology (Requirements collection, conceptual design, logical design, physical design). Data representation models and associations (Entity-Relationship Schema) and RDBMS software (Access and MySQL). Software for network interconnection, packet data transfer (TCP / IP protocol. STACK ISO / OSI) and data transfer modes from physical layer to application layer (SMTP, POP, HTTP, SSH, HTTP, FTP, others). Internet: history, architecture, control bodies, access methods, rules of use and interconnection equipment (Router, bridge, switch). Microcontroller systems for dedicated processing and distribution of environmental data acquired on the network, calculation systems, forecasting and simulation. How to access biomedical databases online: PUBMED, TOXNET, ENTREZ, PBDB, Visible Human Project, Istological Atlas, etc. Operation of search engines, analysis of the architectures and functions of HTTP sites and methods of use and integrated access of online databases.

Readings/Bibliography

Power Point presentations.
e-Learning and Open Source Software.
Course support website.
Basic Kit for Arduino microcontroller (mandatory for the realization of the hardware project)

Teaching methods

Frontal teaching with computer exercises, use of e-learning systems and a dedicated website. For the realization of the hardware project, the use and provision of OpenSource software for the simulation of the programming of the Arduino microcontroller together with the IDE interface to be used for the compilation of the C ++ code created and the modification of the controller firmware .

Assessment methods

I) In Itinere Test: Administration of a multiple-choice questionnaire to check basic computer skills acquired,
II) In itinere test: Realization of hypertext documents for
- collection of data from the exams taken.
- description of the hardware project assigned for the collection of environmental data
III) On-going test: Design of a system for the detection, acquisition and recording of environmental data made with an Arduino controller

Teaching tools

The course will be held in a computer room equipped with a video projector and computers for learning and using the basic functions of electronic computers; the methods of network interconnection and the use of PC-Server for learning and using the main network architectures and protocols. The use of OpenSource software is foreseen for the learning and realization of the required documents and an Arduino kit for the realization of the required hardware project.

Cause Covid-19, remote teaching and teaching methods will be used.

Office hours

See the website of Mario Mazzullo