Introduction to Informatics

Course Description

Objectives

Students are introduced to fundamental topics for developing a basic understanding of Informatics Science. At the end of the course the student is expected to be able to understand the computer architecture and structure. It is also expected to build up its skill in programming through designing and developing source code. The practical sessions provide “hands on” applications while the laboratory sessions of the course are essential for the learner in order to demonstrate its skills on developing programs and debugging them through various compiler tools.

Content

Computer architecture and algorithms-Hardware and software hierarchy-Computer structure and functionality-Computer communication and networking- Operating Systems-Programming Languages-Compilers-Algorithm design and flow charts-Object oriented programming in Python-Applications and exercises in Python. The laboratory sessions also contain introductory courses for the Internet environment and its applications (browsers, navigation methods, search engines, libraries etc.) with basic topics on word processing and spreadsheets.

Teaching & Assessment

The teaching method is consisting of 2 hours attending lectures and 1 hour for practicing and laboratory work on weekly basis. The basic assessment type of the course is the written examination at the end of the semester (3 hours) providing the 60% of the final grade. A final practice test in Python programming language (20 minutes) is also contributing to the rest 40% of the final grade.

On weekly basis there is also a laboratory work in the form of application in Python language which is submitted up to the day of each practice and it is based on the contents of the previous work.

The module is also available through eclass platform (http://eclass.hua.gr/courses/GEO107/).