Insegnamento a.a. 2022-2023

• A short introduction to Python.
• Advanced programming techniques.
• The Numpy scientific library.
• Data manipulation with Pandas.
• Object-oriented programming.
• Relational databases (SQLite).
• Non-relational databases (MongoDB).
• Parallel and distributed computation (MapReduce).
• Large scale data analysis with PySpark.

• Describe fundamental programming strategies.
• Describe the functioning principles of database systems.

• Read/write advanced Python code.
• Write object-oriented code.
• Develop code for algorithmic problem solving.
• Handle large-scale databases.

• Face-to-face lectures
• Online lectures
• Exercises (exercises, database, software etc.)

- Face-to-face lectures will contain both theoretical and applied parts. During the applied part of the lecture, the instructor will solve, together with the class, some exercises pertaining to the concepts discussed in the theory section. Then, after a few guided exercises, students can apply autonomously the techniques illustrated during the course, and they are encouraged to propose and discuss their solutions with the rest of the class. 
- Exercises consist in programming assignments to be done in class under the supervision of the Instructor and the Teaching Assistants, or at home. Solving this assignments improves understanding of the theoretical concepts and complements them with hands-on knowledge of the programming tools and techniques.

• Continuous assessment will consist of programming assignments. Each assignment will cover one of the main topics of the course, and it will be given when the relevant part of the course is concluded. Assignments will be carried out via an online platform with automatic grading. They will contribute to a maximum of 16 out of 31 points of the final grade. For the first two exams after the end of the course (winter exam session), the students will have the option to cumulate the points obtained from the continuous assessment with a reduced final exam, which will give a maximum of 15 points. The total number of points is 31 for the final grade.
• Alternatively, students can opt to do a full final exam for the whole 31 points (in which case the grades of the continuous assessment are discarded).
• Written exams (both the reduced and the full version) consists of programming exercises to be performed in the computer room. The programming exercises aim to assess the understanding of fundamental programming strategies and the knowledge of database systems.

The textbooks are communicated prior to the start of the course. Handouts of each lecture and sample codes are provided.