Insegnamento a.a. 2019-2020

The course is divided into two sections that highlight two areas of expertise, integrated one to the other to reach the final objective of the course:

1. Process and analyze data: deepen the application of the spreadsheet (Excel) to import, structure, process and analyze data, understanding the logic and functions in the solution of business problems, in order to produce meaningful and consistent information according to defined goals.
2. Learn computer programming: learn the basics of computer programming, learn to make use of a programming language (Python), use Python to solve business problems.

• Recognize the main logics and tools of the spreadsheet for importing, analyzing, processing and presenting data.
• Identify the features of a set of data that are functional to the analysis and subsequent elaborations.
• Recognize the logic and paradigms of software programming.
• Recognize the main constructs of a program (functions, loops, conditional constructs, etc.).
• Read a program to understand its structure and features.

• Use the spreadsheet to import, analyze, process data and communicate information useful for decision making.
• Use complex formulas and functions to solve business and management problems with the spreadsheet.
• Apply software programming logics in Python or other languages.
• Examine a program to understand its structure and functioning, modify it or reuse it.
• Develop simple programs in Python to perform calculations and automate even complex operations.

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

The course alternates lessons in traditional classrooms and practice sessions in computer rooms, mainly focusing on the use of Microsoft Excel at an advanced level and on programming with Python.

The exam can be taken in two ways: as two partial exams or as a single general exam.

• Partial exams are intended only for students who regularly attend the lessons and specifically refer to the chapters mentioned in the course syllabus. Only first-year students can take partial exams. It is not possible to take or repeat partial exams in the following years. Students who fail the first partial exam (grade <18) are not allowed to take the second partial exam. To pass the partial exam it is necessary to earn a positive grade (>=18) on both of them. The final grade comes from the average of the two partials. Partial exams include a part of multiple choice questions and a part of computer exercises.
  • The part of multiple choice questions aims to verify: the ability to read a program understanding its structure and functionalities; the knowledge and learning of the logics and main tools of the spreadsheet and of the logics and paradigms of software programming; the knowledge of the main constructs of a program and the ability to understand its structure and functioning.
  • The part of computer exercises aims to verify the ability to use the spreadsheet to solve business problems and to develop or modify simple Python programs to perform calculations and automate operations.
• General exams are intended for students who have not taken or have not passed the partial exams and refer to the general exam bibliography. General exams include a part of multiple choice questions and a part of computer exercises.
  • The part of multiple choice questions aims to verify: the ability to read a program understanding its structure and functionalities; the knowledge and learning of the logics and main tools of the spreadsheet and of the logics and paradigms of software programming; the knowledge of the main constructs of a program and the ability to understand its structure and functioning.
  • The part of computer exercises aims to verify the ability to use the spreadsheet to solve business problems and to develop or modify simple Python programs to perform calculations and automate operations.

Course bibliography:

• A. Clerici (edit by), Computer skills handbook for economics, Egea, 2017, 3rd ed.
• A. Clerici (edit by), Excel workbook, Egea, 2017, 2nd ed.
• A. Clerici, M. De Pra, M.C. Debernardi, D. Tosi, Learning Python, Egea, 2019
• Slides and additional exercises (provided during the course).