COMPUTATIONAL THINKING

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the main conceptual tools of computational thinking, an approach to solve problems and design systems that draws on concepts fundamental to computer science. The course is intended to give students a chance to deals with the main scientific and technological roots of computer science, but most importantly, to reflect critically on the impacts and the role of computing within society and culture with a view to support students’ proactive approach to future socio-technical processes. During the course students will approach, on the one hand, the main steps which have characterized the philosophical, as well as historical, development of computer science and, on the other hand, some basic notions of computational thinking (e.g., algorithm, programming paradigms, elementary data structures, simple techniques for algorithm design etc.). At the end of the course, students are expected to become familiar with the key concepts of computer science, to acquire skills in applying some of these concepts in concrete problems and, finally, to appreciate the multifaceted nature of computing.