Learning objectives
By the end of the course, students will master the main tools for data analysis and numerical calculation.
Prerequisites
The course only requires a basic skills in information science. Also, to foster the comprehensions, all topics will be introduced and explained starting from scratch.
Course unit content
The course introduces the main IT tools needed for data analysis and for the numerical solution of classic engineering and operating research problems.
The focus is on Python 3.9 programming language and on its main libraries for scientific programming and numerical computing.
Full programme
- Introduction to programming.
- Decision Making.
- Repetitions and interation.
- Basic Functions.
- Advanced types and their methods.
- Lambda functions.
- Functions accepting other function as input.
- Closures: functions returning another function.
- Recursion: functions calling themselves.
- Iterator and Generator.
- Exception management and Code Debugging.
- Object Orienting Programming.
- Methods and magic methods.
- Inheritance and polymorphism.
- Properties.
- Creating user defined structures.
Bibliography
1) Pensare in Python, by Allen Downey, edited by O’Reilly
2) Learning Python, by Mark Lutz, edited by O’Reilly
3) The Python Workbook, Second Edition, by Ben Stephenson Edited by Springer
Lecturer's teaching handouts (covering both Excel and Python topics) will also be available.
Teaching methods
The course includes both theoretical and practical aspects.
The theoretical part will be done on the blackboard (using coloured chalks) and, next, all the topics covered during the theory lessons will be deepened and operationalized during practical sessions, held in the computer labs (about 50% of the hours).
Assessment methods and criteria
The examination consists of a written test lasting approximately 2 hours, comprising 3-5 exercises of increasing difficulty.
The test is organised in so that it can be taken entirely "using paper & pencil", but it is also possible to take it (in digital form) using a laptop.
The oral test is optional; it is compulsory only for students who got a score below 18 (in the written test).
Other information
About 50% of the lessons will be hold in traditional classrooms, while the remainder will be held in computer labs. For a better understading, students are encouraged to take their laptop also during the theoretical lessons. In additioin, for convenience, students are allowed to use their personal laptop instead of the PCs installed in the labs.
