Informatics for Cultural Heritage
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims at introducing basic concepts of informatics and computers, and their application to census and preservation of cultural heritage.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and comprehension of basic elements related to structure, behavior, programming and usage of a computer. Knowledge of the basic concepts about relational databases and their application to the study and preservation of cultural heritage.
Lesson period: year
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
The first module introduce the basic concepts and topics of Informatics.:
o Computer science as a science for the automatic processing of data and information
o binary coding of information;
o the concept of algorithm;
o software components of a computer: operating system and application programs;
o organizational models of data stored in digital format;
o computer networks.
o Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and its applications.
o Most useful application programs.
o Usage of spreadsheets;
MODULE II
The second module introduces the programming languages and the fundamentals of programming in R language:
o Algorithms and programming languages, low and high level languages.
o The R language and environment as an interactive system for data analysis and visualization.
o Types of elementary data in R; operators, expressions and instructions.
o Basic data structures in R
o Execution flow control structures
o Functions and scripts. I/O operations. The graphic environment of R
o Application of R to statistical analysis.
MODULE III
The module introduces relational databases and their use through an open-source software system; examples related to the context of cultural heritage census and conservation will be presented. The topics covered include:
o Introduction to relational databases
o Principles of relational database design
o SQL language for retrieving data from relational databases
o Computer science as a science for the automatic processing of data and information
o binary coding of information;
o the concept of algorithm;
o software components of a computer: operating system and application programs;
o organizational models of data stored in digital format;
o computer networks.
o Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and its applications.
o Most useful application programs.
o Usage of spreadsheets;
MODULE II
The second module introduces the programming languages and the fundamentals of programming in R language:
o Algorithms and programming languages, low and high level languages.
o The R language and environment as an interactive system for data analysis and visualization.
o Types of elementary data in R; operators, expressions and instructions.
o Basic data structures in R
o Execution flow control structures
o Functions and scripts. I/O operations. The graphic environment of R
o Application of R to statistical analysis.
MODULE III
The module introduces relational databases and their use through an open-source software system; examples related to the context of cultural heritage census and conservation will be presented. The topics covered include:
o Introduction to relational databases
o Principles of relational database design
o SQL language for retrieving data from relational databases
Prerequisites for admission
There are no particular prerequisites,
Teaching methods
The lectures will be held in person. The main teaching method is the frontal one, but the frontal lessons will be interspersed with exercises proposed to the students to verify from time to time the knowledge acquired. The lessons alternate frontal mode and interactions with students to discuss the proposed topics and verify the knowledge acquired. For module II and module III, laboratory exercises are planned through demonstrations guided by the teachers and execution of exercises by the students. All the slides and teaching materials used for the lessons are available on the Ariel website of the course.
Teaching Resources
The reference material, including recommended books, is available on the Ariel course website.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will be oral and will include the verification of the knowledge acquired in the 3 modules of the course. For the II and III modules, a practical part consisting of the solution of one or more exercises may also be carried out. The overall evaluation of the test will consider the level of knowledge of the topics, critical reasoning
ability, clarity of exposition and propriety of language. The final grade will result from the weighted average of the evaluations of the 3 modules in which the course is divided and will be expressed in thirtieths.
ability, clarity of exposition and propriety of language. The final grade will result from the weighted average of the evaluations of the 3 modules in which the course is divided and will be expressed in thirtieths.
INF/01 - INFORMATICS - University credits: 12
Lessons: 96 hours
Professors:
Perlasca Paolo, Valentini Giorgio
Professor(s)
Reception:
Appointments by e-mail
Dept. of Computer Science, via Celoria 18, room 3011