Introduction to Computers
Keywords |
Classification |
Keyword |
OFICIAL |
Computer Science |
Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S
Cycles of Study/Courses
Teaching Staff - Responsibilities
Teaching - Hours
Type |
Teacher |
Classes |
Hour |
Theoretical classes |
Totals |
2 |
3,692 |
João Miguel Maia Soares de Resende |
|
1,846 |
Miguel João Gonçalves Areias |
|
1,846 |
Laboratory Practice |
Totals |
10 |
18,46 |
Maria Inês Pinto Bastos Martins |
|
1,846 |
Alberto José Rajão Barbosa |
|
1,846 |
João Miguel Maia Soares de Resende |
|
3,692 |
Inês de Castro Dutra |
|
1,846 |
Vitor Manuel de Morais Santos Costa |
|
5,538 |
Miguel João Gonçalves Areias |
|
3,692 |
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
Provide students with an overview about Computer Science, in particular, the fundamental concepts about the organization and operation of digital computers and operating systems.
Learning outcomes and competences
At the end of the course, the students are expected to:
- understand the basics about the operation and architecture of computers.
- know basic concepts about an operating system (Unix/Linux).
- know the different kinds of programming languages.
- be able to use the Linux terminal and write basic scripts in Bash shell.
Working method
Presencial
Program
Key ideas about Computer Architecture.
Digital representation and processing of information - integers and floating point. Computer organization and its main components. Abstract models of machines. Programmable machines: machine language and assemblers.
Basic digital circuits
Logic gates and basis. Relationship between logic formulae and circuits. Truth tables. Basic circuits for logic and arithmetic operations, and for memory cells.
Basic concepts about Programming
Programming Languages: history, taxonomy. Programming paradigms. Syntax and Semantics. Compilers and interpreters. Loaders and linkers. Programming tools.
Operating Systems (Unix/Linux)
File systems. Processes. Main memory. Command Languages. Applications. Input/Output.
Mandatory literature
J. Glenn Brookshear, David Smith and Dennis Brylow; Computer Science: An Overview, Pearson (Addison-Wesley), 2012. ISBN: 9780132569033
Complementary Bibliography
John L. Hennessy, David A. Patterson; Computer Organization and Design : the Hardware/Software Interface , Morgan Kaufmann
Teaching methods and learning activities
The lecture classes are used for the exposition and discussion of concepts about the theory and the practice of the topics covered by the course.
The practical classes are designed to solve illustrative problems of the concepts presented in the lecture classes.
Evaluation Type
Distributed evaluation with final exam
Assessment Components
designation |
Weight (%) |
Exame |
50,00 |
Teste |
50,00 |
Total: |
100,00 |
Amount of time allocated to each course unit
designation |
Time (hours) |
Frequência das aulas |
48,00 |
Estudo autónomo |
114,00 |
Total: |
162,00 |
Eligibility for exams
Students must attend at least 3/4 (75%) of the practical classes.
Calculation formula of final grade
Students are assessed by their performance in two written assignments or in a final exam.
The first written assignment takes place in the middle of the semester and the second in the first exams epoch. Each assignment is worth 10 points out of 20.
The final exam takes place in the second exams epoch and is worth 20 points out of 20.
Classification improvement
Contact the lecturer.