39176 - Basic and Laboratory Informatics

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has the knowledge to understand the fundamental structure of the Internet as a packet-switched network and the main services offered by the World Wide Web such as e-mail, instant messaging, remote connections, the evolution of social network services or Web2, the processes of searching for information on the Web. The student also possesses basic knowledge on the use of spreadsheets (operations, functions, graphs), and database management (construction of tables, relationships, masks, and queries).

Course contents

A) Fundamentals of computer science (3 hours)

• The computer, the algorithm, the software
• Computer and Internet networks

B) Introduction to health informatics (4 hours of which only 3 for the degree course in obstetrics)

• Main areas of information technology in health activities
• Dematerialization of documents in the clinical-health field.Life cycle of the electronic document
• Digital archives and conservation of medical documents in public health organizations (document types, storage times)
• Protection and processing of health data
• Software for the management of laboratory activities (only for the Degree Course in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques)

C) How to organize, process and analyze biometric and clinical data with spreadsheets (12 hours)

• Features and functions of MS-Excel

1. Organize and summarize data in tables and prospects
2. Processing data (calculation operators, functions, Pivot tables)
3. Introduction to tools for performing complex data analysis
4. Represent data with graphs
5. Import data into other applications
6. Export data to other applications and to the R platform for statistical analysis (formats)

• Create spreadsheets with Google Docs and Microsoft Online
• Store and share spreadsheets with Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive
  

D) How to organize and manage archives with databases (11 hours - only for the Degree Course in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques)

• Archives and databases
• Database architecture
• Relational model
• Design a database
• Create a database with MS-Access

E) Cone search and select medical-scientific information on the Net (4 hours)

• Searching the Internet for medical information (general, bibliographic, supporting clinical practice, etc.)
• Specialized and multi-resource websites
• Use of search engines
• How to set up a search
• Evaluate the reliability of the results and their usability
• Search strategies (word search, thesauri, use of Boolean logic operators, etc.)
• Search engines - advanced search
• Online Public Access Catalogs (OPAC)
• Databases (generalist and specialized for medicine)

F) How to present and communicate on screen, using Power Point, the data processed with Excel at a forum (2 hours)

• Main functions of MS-PowerPoint
• How to import research data from the MS-PowerPoint spreadsheet and present it

Readings/Bibliography

- Albero Clerici - Maurizio De Pra, Informatica e Web, EGEA Editore, Milano, 2012 (ISBN/EAN 9788823827004). Libro disponibile anche in formato e-pub.

- Materiali didattici e esercizi inseriti sulla piattaforma Insegnamenti online.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons on the theoretical part. Presentations of the applications to be known. Free and guided computer exercises.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of a written test that will take place with the computer in a single session. The written test is given a mark expressed in thirtieths that will average with the vote of physics and statistics. The student will be assigned a single grade for the integrated course in Physics, Statistics and Computer Science by the recording professor.

The written test consists of a test with multiple choice questions and exercises to be performed on spreadsheets. The test aims to ascertain the possession of the acquired knowledge and skills. The time for the test is thirty minutes.

Teaching tools

Entry questionnaire in electronic mode.

Online collaborative teaching tools to integrate traditional classroom teaching activities: Moodle platform, forum, chat, web conf .. wiki.

Use of content (text and multimedia teaching materials, videos, exercises) available on the delivery platform Online courses for registered students.

Educational Resources on the Net: Sitography.

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Russo