D0523 - COMPUTATIONAL TOOLS AND SCRIPTING

Academic Year 2026/2027

  • Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Molecular and Computational Biology (cod. 6254)

Learning outcomes

At the end of this module, the student will be able to confidently operate in Linux-based environments, manage files and workflows, and use scripting languages (such as Python or Bash) to process, manipulate, and analyze biological datasets.

Course contents

  • Brief introduction to Linux

  • Using the Bash shell

  • Command-line tools for file manipulation

  • Bash scripting

  • Introduction to the AWK scripting language  

Readings/Bibliography

Reviews and usefue on line resources will be provided during the lectures and will be made available on Virtuale.

Teaching methods

Lectures combined with practical exercises on Bash scripting.

Assessment methods

The final assessment consists of a practical examination designed to evaluate the student's ability to develop and use Bash scripts. The examination requires the solution of two problems within a 60-minute time limit.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) during the assessment is prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Students recognized as “working students”: please consult the dedicated website (https://www.unibo.it/en/study/guide-to-choosing-your-programme/balancing-study-and-work) to apply for this status and to learn about the available measures.

Office hours

See the website of Pietro Di Lena