B9254 - Basic IT Skills

Learning outcomes

He/she is able to effectively use the tools of the Office suite to create, analyse and present documents, spreadsheets and presentations. They will also have acquired basic knowledge of artificial intelligence and will be able to recognise its practical applications in a professional context.

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated Course B9090 - Soft Skills. The Integrated Course B9090 - SOFT SKILLS contributes to the achievement of the following ESEVT Day One Competences: 1.1, 1.4, 1.6, 1.11, 1.12.

The BASICS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE course will address the fundamental concepts and tools for the effective and informed use of digital technologies in academic and professional settings.

Specifically, the lessons will cover the following topics:

• Introduction to computer science: basic concepts (hardware, software, networks), computer architecture, and operating systems (1 hour)
• Word processing and presentations: creating and formatting text documents, managing styles, indexes, and bibliographies. Techniques and tools for creating clear, professional, and effective presentations. (2 hours)
• Spreadsheets: organizing data, using basic formulas and functions, creating charts for data analysis and visualization. (2 hours)
• Online communication and collaboration: professional email, cloud storage, tools for teamwork (e.g., Office 365, Teams, OneDrive). (1 hour)
• Cybersecurity and privacy: recognizing the main threats (viruses, malware, phishing), protecting your devices, data, and digital identity. (1 hour)
• Introduction to new tools: using artificial intelligence tools, using medical informatics software (1 hour)

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials (slides, exercises, guides) are available on the Virtual platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/).

Further reading:

• Rosati, Alberto (2025) Medical Informatics: A Guide to Health Information Systems. McGraw-Hill Education
• Marengo A. and Pagano A (2021) Basic Informatics: With Connect. With online updates. McGraw-Hill Education

Links to online guides and web resources will also be provided.

Teaching methods

The course consists of theoretical lectures and guided practical exercises in the computer lab.

The theoretical lectures are supported by slides and practical demonstrations. The practical exercises take place at individual workstations in the computer lab, allowing students to directly apply the concepts they have learned. The aim is to promote active learning on the part of the student and to develop their problem-solving skills.

Students with disabilities and special needs who require adaptations, support, and modifications in the classroom or during exams are asked to express their needs to the instructor as soon as possible (at the beginning of the course) and/or contact the UNIBO service for students with special needs (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ).

 

Assessment methods

Integrated Course Exam

This course is part of the Integrated Course (IC) 09090 - SOFT SKILLS. The exam will take place in a single session for the entire IC and will include all the modules that comprise it. To pass the exam, students must achieve or exceed the pass mark (approximately 60%, corresponding to 18/30) in each of the courses that make up the IC. If one or more parts of the integrated course are not passed, the entire exam must be retaken.

Structure of the B9254 - BASICS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE exam and assessment scheme for the courseLearning will be assessed through a written test (lasting approximately 30 minutes).

The test will be structured as follows:

• five multiple-choice questions on theoretical concepts, each with one correct answer out of four possible answers.
• One open-ended question with the possibility of solving a computer science problem.

The course will be graded on a scale from 18 to 30L, based on the grading scheme summarized here:

• 18-19: With minimal help from the instructor, the candidate is able to identify and partially answer the questions.
• 20-24: the candidate demonstrates knowledge of the basic aspects and is able to answer the questions independently, using generally correct language.
• 25-29: the candidate expresses a comprehensive opinion on the IT aspects proposed, with complete arguments.
• 30-30L: the candidate is able to answer all questions correctly and critically discusses the concepts proposed.

Final assessment of the integrated course, registration, and other useful information

The exam is considered passed if a positive result has been obtained in all the tests and the final grade is given by the average of the grades obtained in the different parts of the exam, expressed in thirtieths. A minimum final grade of 18/30 is required. A negative assessment does not result in a grade being awarded, but only in a judgment (withdrawn or rejected) recorded in the electronic report compiled on AlmaEsami, and therefore does not affect the student's career. You can register for exam sessions via AlmaEsami (http://almaesami.unibo.it/ ). Exam sessions are offered within the windows indicated in the academic calendar. Additional exam sessions are reserved for students who are behind in their studies. If you fail the exam, you can retake it after a minimum of two weeks. In accordance with Unibo teaching regulations (Article 16, Paragraph 5), students who have passed the exam with a grade they consider unsatisfactory have the right to refuse the grade on one occasion, communicating this to the recording teacher by email within 5 working days. The recording teacher for this course is XXX

Students with SLDs or temporary or permanent disabilities: In accordance with Laws 104/1992 and 170/2010, and institutional inclusion policies, students with certified disabilities or specific learning disorders, as well as those with recognized special educational needs, are entitled to appropriate accommodations during exams. It is recommended that you contact the relevant university office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti ) in good time. This office will propose any necessary accommodations to the students concerned, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance for approval by the instructor, who will evaluate their appropriateness in relation to the educational objectives of the course. A faculty member is responsible for supervising this service within the Department (https://scienzemedicheveterinarie.unibo.it/it/dipartimento/organizzazione/referenti-istituzionali ).

 

Teaching tools

• Video projector
• Computer lab with PCs available for student use
• Virtual e-learning platform

If students have difficulty understanding the subject matter, the instructor is available to meet with them for clarification by appointment via email.

Office hours

See the website of Yari Vecchio