COMPUTER SCIENCE

1) Knowledge and Understanding: Students will acquire a basic knowledge in the field of computer science, understanding concepts such as algorithms, principles of computer operation, organization of computer systems, the cultural and technological impact of the digital era, and the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, with particular emphasis on emerging applications of natural language processing.

2) Application of Knowledge and Understanding: Students will be able to apply their acquired knowledge to comprehend and consciously utilize modern computer technologies, including the Internet, personal computers, and applications of artificial intelligence.

3) Autonomy of Judgment: Students will develop the ability to critically evaluate the adequacy, security, opportunities, and limitations of available computer tools at both personal and professional levels.

4) Communication Skills: Students will refine their communication skills within the context of computer science, expressing technical concepts clearly and comprehensibly. Moreover, they will be able to collaborate in teams to find solutions that leverage computer technologies.

5) Learning Skills: Students will be capable of pursuing self-directed learning paths in specific areas of computer science, under the supervision and the guidance of experts.

The main subjects of the course will be the following:

The formalization of the concept of information: computer science and information, the digital representation of information, information archiving, the electronic computer, the operating system, and communication networks.

Introduction to the concept of algorithm and computer program: problem-solving and algorithms as human activities not specific to the computer context, algorithms and computational complexity.

Introduction to the world wide web and information culture: the Internet and its services, the World Wide Web, finding information on the Web, file sharing and computer piracy, the Open movement.

Information security and cryptography: The hacker phenomenon, security of computing systems, social engineering, security of archiving systems, security of communication systems, and the link between computational complexity and information security.

Introduction to quantum computing: elements of quantum computing, algorithms, complexity and information security in the post-quantum era.

Introduction to artificial intelligence: intelligent machines, artificial intelligence, game theory, machine learning, big data, natural language processing, and generative artificial intelligence.

A brief history of video games: the evolution of video games from related technological and cultural perspectives.

Simone Faro, Introduzione all'informatica e alla cultura digitale per le scienze umanistiche,, interactive e-book, available on ClassBooks (www.theclassbooks.com, class code 54021)

Upon request, the teacher will provide textbooks and study material in English for non-Italian speakers.

Please remember that in compliance with art 171 L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or journals, only 15% of their content can be copied.

For further information on sanctions and regulations concerning photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian Association on Copyright).

All the books listed in the programs can be consulted in the Library.