Scheda insegnamento

Prerequisiti

Since the course is taught in English, a good knowledge of the English language is required. Basic skills in using a keyboard and mouse to navigate a personal computer's graphical user interface are also necessary.

Obiettivi formativi - Risultati di apprendimento attesi

The course aims to achieve the following objectives:

• provide essential knowledge that enables students to become competent users of the principles behind digital and computing tools in today’s information society;
• develop skills in using softwares for document creation and data analysis;
• provide fundamental notions in the areas of cybersecurity and digital sustainability;
• provide basic competencies for using digital systems and platforms in a conscious, safe, and sustainable manner;
• develop analytical skills to recognize and prevent major cyber threats.

Contenuto del corso

The course is divided into two parts: a general computer science lab and a more conceptual section dedicated to cybersecurity, both developed with a sustainability-oriented approach.

The laboratory part will cover the following topics:

• introduction to computer science: basic concepts and terminology;
• hardware architecture of a computer;
• digital representation of information;
• software systems and applications;
• working with files, folders, icons, and windows;
• word processing and formatted documents;
• data analysis using spreadsheets.

The section on cybersecurity and digital sustainability will address the following topics:

• principles of digital communication;
• computer networks and the Internet;
• the World Wide Web;
• confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information;
• cryptography and digital signatures;
• privacy and anonymity online;
• malware, network attack techniques, and tools for cyber resilience;
• generative Artificial Intelligence and its sustainability implications.

Metodi didattici

The digital platforms LOL and Teams will be used, and may also be employed for distance learning according to the guidelines developed by the Degree Programs.

Students who have submitted disability or specific learning disorder (DSA) certifications to the Administration Office are advised to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course, also through the Commission for Differences and Inclusion (sdda@unistrapg.it), to arrange compensatory and/or dispensatory measures for adapting the teaching methods.

For attending students

The course includes both theoretical lessons and practical exercises. The in-person theoretical lessons will focus on acquiring fundamental knowledge of cybersecurity and digital sustainability. Computer-based exercises will be conducted during the laboratory sessions.

For non-attending students

Non-attending students will have access to the materials made available by the instructor on the online teaching support platform (lol.unistrapg.it) and will be able to replicate the exercises carried out in the computer lab using a Microsoft Office student license provided by the University to all enrolled students.

Metodi di accertamento

The assessment of learning outcomes will consist of two stages: a practical exam to be conducted in the computer lab, followed by an oral exam, which will be accessible only to students who have successfully passed the practical exam.

For students with disability or specific learning disorder (DSA) certifications, exam arrangements will be tailored to their specific needs, in consultation with the Commission for Differences and Inclusion.

Testi di esame

For both attending and non-attending students:

• Lecture notes and materials distributed during the course and made available on the online teaching support platform (lol.unistrapg.it)
• Brian W. Kernighan, Understanding the Digital World: What You Need to Know about Computers, the Internet, Privacy, and Security, Princeton University Press, 2021, ISBN: 0691219109
• Peter Weverka, Timothy L. Warner, Office 365 All-in-One For Dummies, Ed. For Dummies, 2019. ISBN: 978-1119576242

Testi di consultazione e approfondimento

• Joseph Steinberg, Cybersecurity For Dummies, For Dummies Publishing, 2019, ISBN: 1119560322
• Specific user manual for Microsoft Excel software: Greg Harvey, Excel 2016 For Dummies, Hoepli, Milan, 2016, ISBN: 88-978-203-7330-6.

Additional texts will be recommended and/or made available on the University’s digital teaching support platform according to the specific clarification and/or further study needs expressed by the students.

Altre informazioni

Regular attendance is strongly recommended. Student consultations are available by appointment, which should be scheduled in advance via email.

E-mail addresses of the teachers: valentino.santucci@unistrapg.it, lucia.ballerini@unistrapg.it.